WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/LCA/3 
6 September 2005 
 
 (05-3871) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
SAINT LUCIA 
 
 
 The following communication, dated 7 April 2005, is being circulated at the request of the Ministry of External Affairs, Internatio nal Trade and Civil Aviation of St. Lucia. 
 
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Outline of system
 
 1. The import licensing system is regulated by External Trade Act No. 5 of 1968 and by the 
Customs (Management and Control) Act No. 23 of 1990.  The schedules relating to goods subject to 
import licensing are contained in SI No. 31 of 1996 and in the Restricted Items Schedule attached to the Customs (Management and Control) Act.  The lice nsing system is administered by the Ministry of 
Commerce.  A sample of the relative application form is attached.  
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 2. See schedules attached to External Trade (Restricted Imports) Order No. 31 of 1996
2. 
 3. The system applies to goods originating outside the OECS and/or CARICOM (Second Schedule), products originating from the OECS a nd CARICOM (Third Schedu le), goods originating 
from any country which is not a member of the OECS (Fourth Schedule). 
 4. The St. Lucia import licensing regime was adopt ed to facilitate the regulating and monitoring 
of imports and for the following:  
• national security 
• public health 
• public safety 
• animal health 
• moral issues 
 5. The External Trade Act and the External Trade (Restricted Imports) Order are the legal 
authorities for the import licensing regime in St. Lucia.  The various goods and products are classified in the schedules to the Order and therefore admi nistrative discretion is unnecessary.  However goods 
                                                     
 
 1  See document G/LIC/3, An nex, for the Questionnaire. 
2 The legislation referred to in this notification, as well as the sample application form, are available for 
consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (in English only). G/LIC/N/3/LCA/3 
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 such as controlled substances, firearms and ammun itions, which require non-automatic licences, may 
be subject to administrative discretion.  A list of  all items which require an import licence may be 
obtained from the Customs and Excise Department or  from the Ministry of Commerce.  The legal 
instruments were published in the Offi cial Gazette as required by law. 
 
Procedures
 
 6. For restricted products:  I. Information is advised by the Ministry of Commerce in the local press and in the Official 
Gazette from time to time regarding qu otas and other related formalities. 
 II. Quotas (when and where applicable) are determined annually.  III. Licences are allotted on a non-discriminatory basis, first-come, first-served. 
 
IV. Import licences are usually for a duration of one month from the date of issue and must be utilised in their entirety.  No part may be transferred to other shipments.  V. Applications are processed within 48 hours.  
VI. Applications are usually presented within 72 hours prior to arrival of goods, but in several 
instances it has been observed that applications are presented a few hours before clearing customs. 
 VII. All trade licences covered under the External Trade Act are processed by the Ministry of 
Commerce.  However import licences for plants a nd animals are processed by the Ministry of 
Agriculture.  Weapons and ammunition:  Ministry of Internal Security, the Police Commissioner.  
Drugs and public health:  Ministry of Health.  VIII. Licences are allocated on a first-come, firs t-served basis.  Applications are examined on 
receipt.  
IX. There are no bilateral quotas or export restra int arrangements.  Export permits are required 
from country of origin when importing plants and animals into St. Lucia.  X. Importers are asked to advise e xporters of national requirements. 
 
XI. No licences are issued on condition that goods  should be exported and not sold in the 
domestic market.  7.(a) Importers are asked to subm it applications prior to arriva l of goods.  Licences are on most 
occasions processed within 48 hours of receipt by  the Ministry of Commerce.  Licences can be 
obtained over a shorter period for goods already on the docks. 
 
(b) In special circumstances a licence can be granted on request.  (c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence 
and/or importation may be made. 
 
(d) Licences related to the External Trade Act ar e processed by the Ministry of Commerce.  
However for items such as meat and meat products , plant and plant material, permits are processed by 
the Ministry of Agriculture.  Weapons and ammun ition:  Police Commissioner.  Motor vehicles:   G/LIC/N/3/LCA/3 
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 Ministry of Transport.  Medical supplies:  Ministry  of Health.  In all of the above an importer would 
have to interface with at least two Governme nt Departments before obtaining clearance. 
 8. All applications are automatically approved excep t those that fail to meet the ordinary criteria.  
Applicants are informed of the reason for refusal.  Applicants may appeal to the Permanent Secretary 
or directly to the Minister of Commerce.  App licants may seek representation through one of the 
following:  the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, the St. Lucia Small Business Association or the 
Manufacturers' Association.  Applicants may also seek redress through the Civil Court.  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences. 
 Documentational and other require ments for application for licence
 
 
10. A sample of the application form is attached.3  A copy of the relevant commercial or pro 
forma invoice is required with each application.  11. In the case of goods originating out of CA RICOM a certificate of origin is required. 
 12. No licensing or administrative fees are charged. 
 
13. There is no deposit or advance payment require ment associated with th e issuance of licences. 
 Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. A licence is valid for one month from date of i ssue.  The validity may be extended to facilitate 
the delivery of goods, if required.  15. There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of a licence or a portion of it.  16. Licences are non-transferable. 
 
17. There are no conditions attached  to the issuance of a licence. 
 Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. There are no other administrative procedures apart from import licensing required prior to 
importation.  19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided  by the banking authorities to pay for imported 
goods.  
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3 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (in English only).