WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/MDG/5 
26 January 2010 
 (10-0380) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   French 
  
 
REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON 
IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement  
on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
MADAGASCAR 
   The following notification, dated 20 January 2010, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the Republic of Madagascar. 
 
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Outline of system
 
 
1. Since 1992, there have been no restrictions  on imports of goods and products entering 
Madagascar, with the exception of prohibited goods  and those requiring prior authorization from the 
relevant technical ministries (Annex I to Decree No. 92-424 of 3 April 1992).2 
 
 Imported goods and products  require neither prior aut horization nor import permits. 
  The import system applied by Madagascar is called the Liberalized Import System (SILI).  It is administered by banks and the Central Bank.  
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. The Liberalized Import System applies to a ll imports of non-prohibited goods financed from 
funds made available to the Cent ral Bank of Madagascar.  Such imports, which are known as imports 
requiring foreign-exchange transfers, are exempt from licensing and from payment of the fixed duty.  
3. The Liberalized Import System applies to all products regardless of origin and provenance. 
 4. The system in force in Madagascar aims to  simplify procedures and facilitate trade.  The 
import statistics card (FSI), the document required for clearing goods through customs, was therefore 
abolished in May 2007. 
 
5. Legislative provisions in force:   - Order No. 189/88 of 14 January 1988 on the Liberalized Import System;  
                                                     
 
1 See G/LIC/3 for the questionnaire. 
2 Available for consultation in the Secretariat,  Market Access Division (in French only). G/LIC/N/3/MDG/5 
Page 2  
 
   - Decree No. 92-424 Regulating goods impor ts and exports of 3 April 1992 and its 
subsequent texts. 
 
Procedures
 
 6.-8. The Liberalized Import System applies to all imports, including those requiring prior 
authorization.   The Liberalized Import System has brought an end to the quota system.  
 Products requiring prior authorization: 
  In order to ensure law and order, protect consumers and safeguard public health and the 
environment, certain imports are subject to par ticular regulations and require prior or special 
authorization. 
 
 These regulations concern the following:   - Radiation protection;  - animal imports;  - veterinary pharmaceutical products; 
 - precious stones; 
 - arms and ammunition;  - explosive substances;  - psychotropic substances;  - ozone-depleting substances; 
 - tobacco products. 
  With regard to imports of pr oducts subject to prior or special authorization, the importer is 
required to liaise with the relevant technical ministry in order to complete the necessary 
administrative formalities.  
 Technical ministries generally issue prior authorizations upon presentation of the requisite 
supporting documents and after a technical inspection of the products.   Prior authorization is granted within 72 hours at most.  
 Imports of arms and ammunition, implements of war and explosives are subject to quantity 
restrictions and strict controls since they are cl assified as a danger to human safety and State security. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
9. The government and any resident economic ope rator inscribed in the Trade and Companies 
Register with no criminal precedents vis-à-vis  the tax authorities are eligible for importer status. 
 
 Any operator other than th e government must open a commercial account with the 
domiciliary bank of its choice.  
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence
 
10. The pro forma or final invoice, together with the Cargo Tracker Note (BSC) and any prior 
authorizations required from the technical ministri es concerned, must be submitted to the bank for 
domiciliation.  G/LIC/N/3/MDG/5 
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 The importer must ensure that the product designations correspond to the goods.  11.-13. No information has been provided.  Conditions of licensing
 
 
14.-17. No information has been provided.  
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18.-19. In April 2007, Madagascar put an end to th e preshipment verification or inspection procedure, 
replacing it with the use of a Cargo Tracker Note for the monitoring of imports.  
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