WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
WT/ACC/SYC/14 
6 October 2011 
 (11-4859) 
Working Party on the 
Accession of Seychelles Original:   English 
 
 
ACCESSION OF SEYCHELLES 
 
Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures 
 
 The following submission, dated 19 September 2011, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of the Republic of Seychelles. 
  
_______________ 
 WT/ACC/SYC/14 
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  I. OUTLINE OF SYSTEMS 
1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, 
reply to the following questions as relevant, pl acing all of the material with respect to a 
given system in sequence together, and us ing cross references as appropriate when 
elements which have already been descri bed are also present in another system. 
Answer: 
Seychelles' trade pol icy allows for goods to be imported from any Customs Territory around the world, 
as long as they are not prohibited under Seychelles' law. 
There is only one import licensing system in Seychelles, which app lies to restricted and prohibited 
items. A list of restricted  and prohibited items is attached (Annex  1).  An importer intending to import 
restricted goods is required to a pply for an import permit from releva nt Ministries and Departments or 
Government Agencies, the Import and Export Division of the Ministry of Finance and Trade acts as a 
one-stop shop for processing these a pplications and is a facilitator in the whole process of obtaining the 
permit.  The goods can only be imported subject to approval of the application. 
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
The licensing system covers products li sted in Annex 1 of this document. 
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
The system applies to goods origin ating from any Customs Territory. 
3. Is the licensing intended to re strict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are 
its purposes?  Have alternat ive methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered 
and if so which?  Why have they not been adopted? 
Answer: 
The licensing is not intended to restrict any quantity or value of imports. 
Each category of products is restricted for the following reasons: - Plants 
 Plants have to be quarantined and their source needs to be verified by the Ministry 
responsible for Agriculture.  This is to ensure th at the plants are imported from pest-free areas of the 
world.  This restriction is also to ensure that the plants being introduced into the environment of 
Seychelles are not invasive and compete with endemi c and other plants for nutrients in the soil and 
sunlight. This measure is designed to protect an imal and plant life as pr ovided for under Article XX 
of the GATT 1994.  WT/ACC/SYC/14 
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  - Animals 
 All import permits for any animal are issued by the Ministry responsible for Agriculture.  
All imported animals need to be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days.  The source of importation 
needs to be verified so that these animals are not carrying any foreign diseases such as rabies, swine 
fever and foot and mouth.  So far, Seychelles is free of these diseases.  Species of animals will also 
have to be verified because in case they are rele ased on purpose or by accident  into the environment 
they may pose a danger to the local species of animals and human life as provided for under Article XX of the GATT 1994. 
- Fruits and Vegetables 
 Fruits and vegetables require approval from the Ministry responsible for Agriculture.  
The import permit requirement is to verify the source of imports and the phytosanitary certificate 
provided from the exporting country.  Imported fru its and vegetables need to be thoroughly 
examined at the point of entry to ensure that they are not carrying any foreign organisms which 
could pose a threat to the local endemic plants in Seychelles.  These endemic species of plants need 
to be protected because they are not naturally pr esent anywhere in the world apart from Seychelles, 
therefore they do not have the resistance these fore ign pests.  This measure is in line with the 
protection of animal and plant life as stipulated in Article XX of the GATT 1994. 
- Meat and Poultry 
 Import permits for meat and poultry are issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the source of 
meat and poultry needs to be verified, in order to ascertain whether the products originate from 
disease-free areas.  This is a preventive measure to  reduce the instances of diseases related to meat 
and poultry spreading to existing farms given the si ze of the islands in Seychelles' archipelago.  
The cost of containing and eliminating these di seases associated to the Government would be too 
high especially given the limited human and financia l resources available to it.  This measure is 
designed to protect human and animal life as provided for under Article XX of the GATT 1994. 
- Fish 
 Import permits for raw and live fish are issued by the Ministry responsible for Agriculture.  
The restriction on fish has been placed to protect  against diseases associated with raw fish from 
entering into Seychelles.  Issuance of an import permit for live fish is also done through the same 
Ministry, with the aim of ensuring that the specie s of fish imported would not pose a threat to the 
local species in swamps and rivers if they were ever released.  Such species would include piranhas 
(pristobrycon, pygocentrus, pygopristis and serrasalm us).  These species of fish could have a 
potentially harmful effect on the existing fish species and bird life.  This measure is in line with 
Article XX of the GATT 1994, which allows for the protection of animal life. 
- Fertilizers 
 Imports of fertilizers which include both or ganic and chemical require an import permit 
from the Ministry responsible for Agriculture.  In th e case of organic fertilizers, need to be verified 
so that they do not contain foreign organisms wh ich could potentially have a negative impact on the 
plant and human life, for example bacteria spores lik e anthrax.  Whereas, chemical fertilizers need to 
be verified so that the level of phosphates a nd nitrate compounds are not excessive which could 
potentially damage the environment, as these compounds  have been proven to encourage the growth 
of algae and other evasive plants such as water le ttuces, as a result of leeching.  The imports of 
chemical fertilizers also become a national security  issue, especially when they contain excessive WT/ACC/SYC/14 
Page 4  
 
  levels of ammonium nitrates which are used to produce improvised detonating devices (IDDs).  
This measure is in line with Article XX of the GATT 1994 to protect human life.   
- Pharmaceuticals 
 Imports of pharmaceuticals require the approva l of the Ministry responsible for Health.  
This is to ensure that the products imported are safe for human consumption and that the sources of 
these products are reliable.  The import permit requirement serves as a deterrent against the imports 
of counterfeit medicine.  This measure is in line with Article XX of the GATT 1994 to protect 
human life.  
- Plastic 
 The import requirement applies to sacks and plastic bags.  The Ministry responsible for 
Environment issues the import permit for these items.  For sacks and plastic bags to be issued an 
import permit, their thickness must be not less than  30 microns, which is tested by the Seychelles 
Bureau of Standards (SBS).  This measure has been  instituted to protect the environment.  Given the 
extensive period that it takes for plastic bags to degrade in the environment, the Government would 
like to encourage the recycling and re-using of th ese items.  Experience has shown Seychelles that 
plastic bags and sacks lower than 30 microns cannot be used more than once and this is in turn 
increasing the damage to the environment and government  costs associated with effective disposal of 
these items.  This measure is necessary to protect  the natural environment as provided for under 
Article XX of the GATT 1994. 
- Wood 
 The import permits for wood are issued by th e Ministry responsible for Environment.  
The purpose of the restriction is to determine wh ether the consignment originates from a disease or 
pest free area.  The Ministry is also concerne d with the method used to treat the wood; some 
methods may not be as effective as others to kill foreign organisms present in the wood.  This 
measure is to protect animal and plant life as provided for under Article XX of the GATT 1994.   
- Fuels 
 For environmental protection purposes, the storage facilities of the petroleum and petroleum 
products need to be verified.  These facilities need to be compliant with environmental standards so 
that they do not endanger human and plant life.  Seychelles has limited resources, financial and 
human, to deal with oil leaks and other environmental hazards.  This measure is designed to protect animal and plant life as stipulated in Article XX of the GATT 1994. 
- Alcohol and Tobacco 
 The Ministry responsible for Finance issues import permits for alc ohol and cigarettes.  
The restriction was instituted following the impor ts of poor quality or counterfeit alcohol and 
cigarettes into Seychelles, which was considered to be having a negative impact on human life.  
The import permit requirement also exists for alco hol and tobacco used as ra w materials, so as to 
ensure that the local products do not have negative effects on human health.  This import restriction 
has been a recommendation from the Ministry responsible for Health and non-governmental 
organizations.  This measure is designed to pr otect human life as per Article XX of the GATT 1994.  WT/ACC/SYC/14 
 Page 5 
 
 
  - Automotive Equipment 
 Import permits for automotive equipment are assessed by Seychelles Land Transport 
Agency (SLTA) and recommendations are made to the Ministry of Finance.  The import permit 
requirement has been put in place to control th e imports of left-hand drive vehicles which are 
prohibited by law in Seychelles because of the impl ementation of the British traffic system (i.e. drive 
on the left side of the road).  The requirement is  also a means of administering a ban on imports of 
half and quarter cuts. 
 Vehicles which are considered to be oversi zed (e.g. Heavy trucks, cranes), again the SLTA 
assesses the specifications of the vehicles inclusive of the weight of the vehicle when the import 
permit is lodged and if the permit is recommende d, conditions are attached to the use of the 
particular oversize vehicle on the roads, e.g. ope rating hours, where the vehicle can or cannot be 
operated.  These measures are designed to protect human life as referred to in Article XX of the GATT 1994. 
- Telecommunication Equipment 
 The Ministry responsible for telecommunications issues import permits for 
telecommunication equipment which emit or transmit and receive radio-frequencies, termed as radio 
communication (radio) equipment.  The list of restricted radio equipment does not include any non-radio-frequency emitting or no n-radio-frequency receiving telecommunication devices or 
equipment, such as telephones, modems, routers,  switches, PABXs.  Note that mobile phones, 
personal digital assistants (PDA) and similar type of  equipment are also not restricted goods and, as 
a result, are not included in the list of restricted radio equipment.  
 It is important to note that there is no radi o equipment which is manufactured in Seychelles 
and as a result all such equipment has to be imported from overseas.  There are also no local regulatory requirements and standards which guide  the manufacturing of radio equipment like in 
jurisdictions such as the European Union and the Un ited States of America.  In line with the same, 
importation is done from different countries, mostly  from Europe, Africa and Asia.  As per the 
International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) fr equency allocation plans, the same frequencies 
can be used for slightly different services in diffe rent regions of the world.  Since, Seychelles does 
not impose any restrictions as to where an importe r can purchase his/her radio equipment; there is a 
need for users to seek permission before any radio e quipment is imported.  This measure is to ensure 
that harmful interference is  avoided to authorized users of radi o equipment especially in respect of 
essential and emergency services.  This measure is designed to protect human life as referred to 
Article XX of the GATT 1994. 
- Chemicals 
 The restriction on imports of chemicals refers  only to those listed in Annex 1 of this 
document.  The Ministry responsible for hea lth approves import permits for the imports of 
chemicals.  The most pressing concern for the Ministry with regards to these imports of these 
chemicals is their storage locations.  Given th e high population density of Mahe, Praslin and 
La Digue, chemical spillages and leaks have the potential hazard to human life and to the 
environment.  This measure is designed to protect  human, animal and plant life as referred to in 
Article XX of the GATT 1994. WT/ACC/SYC/14 
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  - Aircraft 
 Imports of aircraft are subject to import permits issued by Seychelles Civil Aviation 
Authority (SCAA).  The Authority needs to certify whether the aircraft is flight worthy and does not pose a danger to human life.  This measure is to protect human life as referred to in Article XX of 
the GATT 1994.  
- Sea-going vessel 
 Imports of sea-going vessels require an import permit issued by Seychelles Maritime Safety 
Authority.  The Authority certifies that the vessel  is sea worthy and does not constitute a danger to 
human life and the marine environment.  This measur e is to protect human, animal and plant life as 
referred to in Article XX of the GATT. 
4. Cite the law, regulation and/or admini strative order under which the licensing is 
maintained.  Is the licensing statutorily required?   
Answer: 
The licensing is statutorily require d.  The licensing system is mand ated under the Trades Tax Act of 
1992 and its Regulations.   
- Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to 
administrative discretion?  Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to 
abolish the system without legislative approval? 
Answer: 
No, the legislation does not leave de signation of products to be subjec ted to licensing to administrative 
discretion. 
No, it is not possible for the Government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without 
legislative approval. 
III. PROCEDURES 
1. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable 
globally or to a limited num ber of countries or whether established bilaterally or 
unilaterally). 
Answer: 
There are no quantit ative value quotas for import of restricted it ems.  They are also not limited to any 
countries either bilate rally or unilaterally. 
 (a) Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and 
formalities of filing applications for licenses?  If not, how is it brought to the 
attention of possible importers?  Of g overnments and export promotion bodies of 
exporting countries and their trade representatives?  Is the overall amount published?  The amount allocated to good s from each country?  The maximum 
amount allocated to each importer?  How to request any exceptions or derogations from the li censing requirement?  WT/ACC/SYC/14 
 Page 7 
 
 
   Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (b) How is the size of the quotas determined :  on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly 
basis?  Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licenses are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?  In the 
latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a 
six-monthly or quarterly basis? 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (c) Are licenses allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of 
like goods?  What steps are ta ken to ensure that licens es allocated are actually 
used for imports?  Are unused alloca tions added to quotas for a succeeding 
period?  Are the names of importers to whom licenses have been allocated made known to governments and export promotio n bodies of export ing countries upon 
request?  If not, for what reason?  (I ndicate products to which replies relate) 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (d) From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what 
is the period of time allowed for the su bmission of applications for licenses? 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (e) What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing 
applications? 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (f) How much time remains, at a minimum,  between the granting of licenses and the 
date of opening of the period of importation? 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (g) Is consideration of licence applications ef fected by a single administrative organ?  
Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?  
If so, which?  Does the importer have to  approach more than one administrative 
organ? WT/ACC/SYC/14 
Page 8  
 
   Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (h) If the demand for licenses cannot be fully  satisfied, on what basis is the allocation 
to applicants made?  First come, first served?  Past performance?  Is there a 
maximum amount to be allocated per applic ant and, if so, on what basis is it 
determined?  What provision is made for new importers?  Are applications 
examined simultaneously or on receipt? 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (i) In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export 
permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licenses also required?  
If so, are licenses issued automatically? 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (j) In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is 
the importing country informed of the eff ect given by the exporting countries to 
the understanding between the two countries? 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
 (k) Are there products for which licenses are issued on condition that goods should 
be exported and not sold in the domestic market? 
 Answer: 
 Not applicable. 
2. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a 
particular country: 
 (a) How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?  
Can licenses be obtained within a short er time-limit or for goods arriving at the 
port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
 (b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request?  (c) Are there any limitations as to the pe riod of the year duri ng which application 
for licence and/or importation may be made?  If so, explain.  
 (d) Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? 
Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?  
If so, which?  Does the importer have to  approach more than one administrative 
organ?  WT/ACC/SYC/14 
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  Answer: 
(a) An application for an import licence must be made prior to th e shipment landing in Seychelles; 
Yes. 
(b) Yes, subject to submissi on of all relevant documents.  
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of th e year during which application for licence and/or 
importation may be made.  
(d) The licence application for import of restrict ed goods is made to the Ministry/Department or 
Authority through the Import and Export Division (IED) of the Ministry of Finance and Trade 
The IED acts as a one stop shop for all such  applications. The Mi nistry communicates 
decisions taken by relevant Authorities to th e applicant.  The importer does not have to 
approach more than one administrative organ.  
3. Under what circumstances may an applicatio n for a licence be refused other than failure 
to meet the ordinary criteria?   
Answer: 
There are no other circumstances apart from the ordinary criteria that would warrant a refusal. - Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant?   
Answer: 
Yes, the reasons for refusal are given to the applicant. - Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to 
what bodies and under what procedures? 
Answer: 
An applicant has a right to query the decision to the Minister of the concerned Ministry or Department 
which has refused to issue the licenc e.  If the response is unsatisfactory to the applicant, then that 
person may apply for judicial  review of the decision. 
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPOR TERS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses: 
 (a) under restrictive licensing systems? 
 (b) under non-restrictive systems? 
 If not, is there a system of registration  of persons or firms permitted to engage in 
importation?   
Answer: 
Any person intending to import restri cted goods need to apply for an import permit whether the goods 
are for personal consumption or commercial distribu tion. In the case of commercial distribution a 
person must have a business activity licence i ssued by the Seychelles Licensing Authority.  WT/ACC/SYC/14 
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  - What persons or firms are eligible? 
Answer: 
Please see answer above. 
- Is there a registration fee?  
Answer: 
There is no import licence fee. 
- Is there a published list of authorized importers? 
Answer: 
No, there is no published list of authorized importers.  
V. DOCUMENTATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION FOR 
LICENCE 
1. What information is required  in applications?  Submit a sample form.  What documents 
is the importer required to supply with the application? 
Answer: 
A sample form is attached (Annex 2) 1 which shows all the information that is required. 
2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
Upon importation an importer is required to submit the following documents: 
- Bill of Entry (3 copies); 
- Certified true and accurate  invoice from exporter (either individual or company); 
- A valid import permit; 
- Packing List; 
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill; and - Sanitary or Phytosanitary Certificate (if required). 
3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?  If so, what is the amount of the fee 
or charge? 
Answer: 
There is no fee or charge for the import licence.   
4. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of 
licenses?  If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement. 
                                                      
1 In English only.  WT/ACC/SYC/14 
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  Answer: 
There are no such requirements. 
VI. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of valid ity of a licence?  Can the valid ity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
A person is required to apply for a licence for each consignment. 
2. Is there any penalty for the non-utilizatio n of a licence or a po rtion of a licence? 
Answer: 
There is no penalty for the non-utilizatio n of a licence or a portion of a licence. 
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?  If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
An import permit is not transf errable as it is issued to a specific person and goods.  
4. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? 
 (a) For products subject to quantitative restriction? 
 (b) For products not subject to quantitative restriction? 
Answer: 
(a) Not applicable, as there ar e no quantitative restrictions. 
(b) There are no other conditions that apply. 
VII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
No, there are no other administrative procedures apart from import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation. 
2. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking author ities for goods to be 
imported?  Is a licence required as a condition  to obtaining foreign exchange?  Is foreign 
exchange always available to cover licenses is sued?  What formalities must be fulfilled 
for obtaining the foreign exchange? WT/ACC/SYC/14 
Page 12  
 
  Answer: 
Foreign exchange is provided at the prevailing mark et rate by the banking authorities for goods to be 
imported.  No, a licence is not required as a c ondition to obtaining foreign exchange.  Yes, foreign 
exchange is always available to cover licenses issued.  For obtaining foreign exchange importers need to follow banking procedures as set out by the commercial banks.   WT/ACC/SYC/14 
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  Annex 1 
Part I 
The following goods shall be imported only under and in accordance with the permission granted by 
the appropriate authority mentioned above the list of goods: 
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Plant and plant products 0601 1000 to 0604 9900 Live trees and other plants; roots and the like; cut 
flowers and ornamental foliage (including seedling 
vegetables, dry flowers) of kind commonly supplied by nursery gardeners or florist for planting 
or for ornamental use. 
Animals and animal by-
products not treated 0101 1010 to 0106 9000 Live animals; animal products. 
0407 0010 to 0407 0090 Birds egg in shell, fresh, preserved or cooked for 
consumption. 
0408 1100 to 0408 9900 Birds egg not in shell and egg yokes other than 
dried. 
0410 0000 Edible products of animal origin. 
0501 0000 Human hair, unworked, whether or not washed or 
scoured; waste of human hair. 
0502 1000 to 0504 0000 Pigs, hogs or boars bristles and hair, badger hair 
and other brush making hair, waste of such bristles 
or hair.  Horse hair and horse waste whether or not 
out as layer with or without supporting materials. Gut bladders and stomach of animals (other than 
fish) whole and pieces thereof, fresh, chilled, 
frozen, salted in brine, dried or smoked. 
0505 1000 Skins and other parts of birds, with their feathers or 
down, feathers and parts of feathers (whether or not 
with trimmed edges) and down, not further worked 
than cleaned, disinfect ed or treated for 
preservation, powder and waste of feathers or parts 
of feathers. 
0506 1000 to 0506 9000 Bones and horn-cores unworked, defatted, simply 
prepared (but not cut to sh ape), treated with acid or 
degalatinised; powder and waste of these products. 
0508 0000 to 0511 9990 Coral and similar materials, unworked or simply 
prepared but not otherwise worked; shell of 
molluscs, crustaceans or echinoderms and cuttle-
bone, unworked or simply prepared but not cut in 
shape, powder an d waste thereof. 
Natural sponges of animal origin. 
Ambergris, castroreum, civet and musk; 
cantharides, bile, whether or not dried; glands and 
other animal products used in the preparation of 
pharmaceutical products, fre sh, chilled, frozen or 
otherwise provisionally preserved. 
Animal products not elsewhere specified or 
included; dead animals of chapters 1 or 3, unfit for 
human consumption. WT/ACC/SYC/14 
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  Product Name HS Code Description 
Meat and edible meat 
offal, fresh, frozen or 
chilled 0201 1000 to 0209 0000 Meat and meat products of bovine animals, fresh or 
chilled, meat of swine fresh or chilled, meat of 
sheep and goats fresh or chilled, meat of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen. 
Edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, 
horses, asses, mules or hinnie, fresh, chilled or 
frozen, other meat and edible  meat of the poultry of 
heading 01 05 fresh, chilled or frozen and pig fat free of lean meat and pou ltry fat not rendered or 
otherwise extracted, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted in 
brine, dried or smoked. 
Fish and crustaceans, mollusc and other 
aquatic invertebrates, 
fresh, frozen or chilled  0301 1000 to 0304 9000 
0306 1100 to 0307 9990 Fish live, fresh or chilled and Fish products. 
Crustaceans, Molluscs whether in shell or not, live, 
fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted in brine, cooked 
by steaming or by boiling in water.  Flour meals and pellets of aquatic invertebrates other than 
crustaceans fit for human consumption. 
Edible fruits 0801 1111 to 0801 3220 
0802 1110 to 0802 9090 0803 0000 
0804 1010 to 0804 3000 
0805 9000 0806 1000 
0807 1100 to 0810 9090 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons. 
 
Edible vegetables 0701 1000 to 0709 9000 
0714 1000 to 0714 9090 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 
(Excluding heading 07 10 to 07 13). 
Fertilizers (Growing 
media and compost) 
 3101 0000 to 3105 9000 Animal or vegetable fertilizers, whether or not 
mixed together or chemically treated; fertilizers 
produced by the mixing or chemical treatment of animal or vegetable products. 
Mineral or chemical fertilizers, nitrogenous. 
Mineral or chemical fertilizers, phosphatic. Mineral or chemical fertilizers, potassic. 
Mineral or chemical fertilizers containing two or 
three of the fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium; other fertilizers; goods 
of this chapter in tablets or similar forms or in 
packages of a gross weig ht not exceeding 10 kg. 
PRIMARY FORMS 
Plastic and other articles 
of plastics 
SI 39 of 2008 (Act 9 of 1994) 
Environment Protection 
(Prohibition of Plastic Carrier bags) 
Regulations, 2008 3921 1100 to 3921 9000 
3923 2110 to 3923 2990 Cellular of polymers of styrene, of polymers of 
vinyl chloride, of polyurethanes; of regenerated 
cellulose and of other plastics 
Sacks and bags (including cones) of polymers of ethylene; polybags of the type used in primary 
industries and of other plastics. 
Plastic carrier bags made of plastic film below 30 microns thickness. 
Wood treated and untreated 4401 1000 
4401 2100 to 4401 2200 
4403 1000 to 4403 2000 
4403 4100 to 4403 9900 4401 1000 to 4401 2000 
4407 1000 
4407 2400 to 4407 9900 Fuel wood 
Wood in chips or particles 
Other, of tropical wood specified in subheading 
note 1 of chapter 44.   WT/ACC/SYC/14 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Product Name HS Code Description 
Brooms consisting of 
twigs or other 
vegetables materials bound together, with or 
without handles 9603 1010 
9603 1020 Brooms and brushes of coconut fibre. 
Brooms and brushes of other vegetables material 
(except coconut fibres). 
 
Ministry of Finance 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Mineral fuels, mineral 
oils and products of 
their distillation 2710 1100 to 2711 2900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous 
minerals, other than crude; preparation not 
elsewhere specified or included, containing by 
weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oil obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being 
the basic constituents of the preparations.  
Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons. 
Alcoholic beverages 2203 1000 to 2208 9090 Beverages and spirits. 
Tobacco 2401 1000 to 24 03 9900 Tobacco and manufact ures tobacco substitutes. 
 
Land Transport Division 
Product Name HS Code Description 
 8407 3100 to 8407 9000 Trailers and semi-trailers. 
 8408 2000 Trailers and semi-trailers. 
 8408 9000 
 Others 
Reciprocating piston engines of kind used for the 
propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87. 
Of cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc; exceeding 
50cc but not exceeding 250c c; exceeding 250cc but 
not exceeding 1,000cc; exceeding 1,000cc and other engines.   
Compression-ignition internal combustion piston 
engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines) of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87 
Other Engines diesel or semi-diesel 
Vehicle and 
Chassis/Bodies 8426 1100 to 8427 9000 Derricks; cranes, including cable cranes; mobile 
lifting frames, straddle carriers and works trucks fitted with a crane. Fork -lift trucks; other works 
trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment. 
Spark-ignition 
reciprocating piston engine of kind used for 
the propulsion of 
vehicles of chapter 87. Compression-ignition 
internal combustion 
piston engine (diesel or semi diesel engines) of 
kind used for the 
propulsion of vehicles 
of chapter 87. 8429 1100 to 8430 6900 
8701 1000 to 8705 9000 8706 0000 
 Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, 
levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping m achines and road rollers. 
Other moving, grading, levelling, scraping, 
excavating, tamping, compacting, extracting or boring machinery, for earth , minerals or ores; pile-
drivers and pile-extractors; snow-ploughs and snow 
blowers. 
 8708 9910 
 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling 
stock and parts and accessories thereof. 
 8708 9930 
 Chassis fitted with engines, for the motor vehicle of 
headings 87 01 to 87 05. WT/ACC/SYC/14 
Page 16  
 
  Product Name HS Code Description 
 8711 1000 to 8711 9000 Bodies – Nose cuts, front cuts, rear cuts and quarter 
panels of vehicles of headings 87 02 to 87 04. 
 8716 1000 to 8716 4000 Chassis with no engine and others. 
 8716 8090 
 Motor cycle (including mopeds) and cycles fitted 
with auxiliary motor, with or without side-cars; side 
cars. 
 
Internal Affairs, Commissioner of Police 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Pyrotechnic products 
and Blasting explosives 3601 0000 to 3604 9090 
3606 1000 to 3606 9000 Explosives; pyrotechnic products; pyrophoric 
alloys; certain combustible preparations (excluding matches). 
Sword, cutlasses, 
bayonets and similar 
arms 9307 0000 Swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances, similar arms, 
parts thereof, scabbards, and sheaths thereof. 
 
Ministry of Health and Social Development 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Pharmaceutical and 
Veterinary products 3001 1000 to 3006 4000 
3006 6000 Pharmaceutical products (example gland and 
organs, human blood; animal blood). 
Dangerous Chemicals 
and Precursor 
Chemicals  2801 2000 
2802 0000 to 2843 9000 
2845 1000 to 2851 0000 2901 1000 to 2942 0000 
3808 1000 to 3808 3000 
3808 9000 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic 
compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals 
or radioactive elements or of isotopes. Miscellaneous chemical products. 
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, 
anti-sprouting products and plant-growth 
regulators, disinfectants and similar products, put 
up in the forms or  packing for retail sale or as preparations or articles (for example, sulphur-
treated bands, wicks and ca ndles, and fly-papers). 
Gaseous or volatile fumigants including Aluminium phosphide, Chloropicrin, 1,2-Dibromoethane  
1,3-Dichloropropene, Ethylene dichloride Ethylene 
oxide, Formaldehyde, Hydrogen cyanide, Magnesium phosphide, Methyl bromide, 
Phosphine, Sulphuryl fluoride. 
 
Department of Information and Technology 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Radio communication 
equipment, including  8525 1090 
8526 1000 8527 4000 Satellite dishes (person/co mmercial) - receive only; 
VSAT (very small aperture terminal) - transmit and receive; Walkie Talkie/Land Mobile (hand held or 
fixed); Satellite mobile equipment - IRIDIUM, 
GLOBALSTAR, THURAYA, INMARSAT, etc.; Amateur Radio; Fixed Broadband Wireless Access, 
except for the following European standards from 
the European Technical Standards Institute (ETSI): 
2.4 GHz* 
EN 300 – 328 Maximum EIRP 100mW or 20 dBm 
5.7 GHz* 
EN 300 – 440  WT/ACC/SYC/14 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Product Name HS Code Description 
Maximum EIRP 25mW or 14 dBm 
* No external antennas permitted. 
Police radar detector; Aeronautical radios (hand held and fixed); Radio broadcasting (transmission) 
equipment (AM, FM, TV etc.); Equipment for fixed 
services; Citizen Band (CB) radios. 
 
Seychelles Bureau of Standard 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Glass windows and 
glass doors 7016 9000  
Insulated wires and 
Cables (Should be in line with 
British Standard 604 as 
define by Seychelles Bureau of Standard) 8544 1100 to 8544 2000 
8544 4100 to 8544 6000  Winding wire of copper and of other materials. 
Co-axial cable and ot her co-axial electric 
conductors. 
Other electric conductor, for a voltage not 
exceeding 80V. Other electric conductor, for a voltage exceeding 
80V but not exceeding 1,000V. 
Other electric co nductor, for voltage exceeding 
1,000V. 
 
Ministry of National Development 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Prefabricated Building 
 9406 0000 
 Also known as "industrialized buildings".  
These building can be designed for a variety of 
uses, such as: 
 
Housing, worksite, accommodation, offices, 
schools, shops, sheds, garages and greenhouses,  
and are presented in the form of: 
- Complete building, fully assemble ready for 
use; 
- Complete buildings, unassembled; 
- Incomplete building, whether or not assembled, 
having the essential character of prefabricated 
buildings. 
Buildings presented unassembled may consist of the following: 
- (walls, trusses) or cut to size (beams, joists, in 
particular) or in an indeterminate or random lengths for cutting on the site (sills, insulation, 
etc.)  
 
Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Aircrafts 8801 1000 to 8802 5000 Balloons and dirigibles; gliders, hang gliders and 
other non-powered aircraft. 
Other aircraft (for example, helicopters, 
aeroplanes); spacecraft (i ncluding satellite); and 
spacecraft launch vehicles. 
 WT/ACC/SYC/14 
Page 18  
 
   
Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Ships and Vessels 
 8901 1000 
8901 3000 8901 9000 
8903 1000 to 8903 9200 
8903 9990 Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels 
principally designed for the transport of persons; ferry boat of all kind. 
 
Refrigerated vessels, other than those of 
subheading 8901 20. 
 Other vessels for the transportation of goods and 
other vessels for the transportation of both persons 
and goods.  
Yachts and other vessels or pleasure or sports; 
rowing boats and canoes. (These include inflatable, sailboats with or without 
auxiliary motor, motorboats, other than outboard 
motorboats but exclude Kayak) Other boats and vessels not elsewhere specified. 
 
  WT/ACC/SYC/14 
 Page 19 
 
 
  Part II 
The following are considered  to be Prohibited Goods: 
Product Name Description 
Arms and Ammunition 
 Whole of chapter 93 excluding 9307 0000 
 Military weapons, Artillery weapons e.g. Guns, howitzers, mortars. 
Rocket launchers, flame-throwers, grenade launches, torpedo tubes and 
similar projectors. 
 
Revolvers and Pistols  
Other firearms and similar devices which operates by the firing of an 
explosive charge (e.g. sporting shotguns and rifles, muzzle-loading firearms, very pistols and revolvers designed to project only signal 
flares, pistols and revolvers for firing blank ammunition, captive bolt 
humane killers, line throwing guns).  Muzzle-loading firearms, Combination shotgun-rifles. 
  
Spring, air or gas guns and pistols, truncheons   
Parts and accessories of head ings 93 01 to 93 04 
  Bombs, grenades, torpedo, mines, missiles and similar munitions of 
war and parts thereof; cartridges and other ammunition and projectiles 
and parts thereof, including shot and cartridge wads. 
Species listed under the Convention on International 
Trade in Endangered Species 
(CITES) 
 HS 0507 1000 and 0508 0000:  Ivory, tortoise-shell, whalebone and 
whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hoovers, nails, claws and beaks, 
unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape; powder and waste of 
these products 
  
HS 9601 1000 and 9601 9000:  Worked ivory, bone, tortoise-shell, horn, antlers, coral, mother-of-pear l and other animal carving material 
and articles of these materials (including articles obtained by 
moulding).  
Any other species listed under the CITES Convention documentation 
which prohibits trade in endangered species. 
Radioactive Substances  HS 2844 1000 to 2844 5000 
 
Apparatus, appliances and instruments incorporating radioactive units, 
or units containing radioactive material. X-ray machines or any other machine or apparatus capable of providing radioactivity radio isotopes, 
luminous inks and paint, radioactive waste, any radioactive material or 
article contaminated or affected by e ither or both of the following, that 
is to say – (i) absorption, admixture or adhesion of radio-active 
material or radioactive waste; and (ii) the emission of neutrons or 
ionizing radiations, so as to become radioactive or to possess 
radioactivity. 
 These goods shall be handled, transp orted, packed, protected, stored or 
disposed of in accordance with any sp ecified conditions or restrictions 
imposed by the (Comptroller) after consultation with the Medical Officer of Health and th e Commissioner of Police. 
Controlled Drugs 
 "Controlled drugs" means all drugs, as defined under the "Misuse of 
the Drugs Act (Cap 133)" WT/ACC/SYC/14 
Page 20  
 
  Product Name Description 
Toxic Chemicals 
 Chemicals and Pesticides containing Organochlorine banned under the 
Stockholm Convention, including Aldrin, Toxaphene, Dichloro 
diphenyl trichloro ethane (DDT), Chlordane, Dieldrin, Endrine, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Heptachlor, Mirex, Polychlorinated 
biphenyl (PCB), including asbestos of HS 2524 0000 and Articles of 
Asbestos of HS 6811 1000 to 6811 9000 and fabricated asbestos fibres 
of HS 6812 5000 to 6812 7000 and 6812 9090. 
Offensive weapons 
 Tear gas, stun guns, mace, loaded sticks, whips, bows and arrows, 
knuckle dusters, cutlasses, daggers, double-edged knives and other similar lethal weapons. 
Counterfeit Currencies 
 (As defined under the Penal Code, chapter 36, (cap 26 and 158)) 
Meaning any coins and/or bank and currency notes not genuine but 
resembling or apparently intended to resemble or pass for genuine coins and/or bank and currency notes; and includes genuine coin and/or 
bank and currency notes prepared or  altered so as to pass for coin 
and/or bank and currency notes of a higher denomination. 
Pornographic or indecent material(s) 
 Includes all indecent or obscene prints, printings, books, cards, 
lithographic, and/or other engravings or any other indecent or obscene 
articles. 
Textiles and Garments 
 Jungle coloured, camouflaged or comb at designed tissue, cotton or silk 
or any other fabrics and clothes including trousers, shirts, jackets, t-shirts, raincoats, blouses, skirts, blazers, gowns, tents, ghillie suits, and 
any other clothing of a camouflage design. (S.I. 37 of 2006) 
Bodies for motor vehicles 
 Bodies (including cabs), for motor vehicles of heading 87 03  
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of person (other than those of heading 87 02), including 
station wagons and racing cars. 
Left hand Drive vehicles All vehicles with th e steering wheel located on the left-hand side. 
Waste and/or waste product Waste and waste products of any kind. 
Warship Warships of HS 8906 1000 
Imitation/Replica of Firearms, 
Ammunitions and Guns 
(S.I. 41 of 2006) 
 Anything which has the physical appearance of being an exact replica 
of a firearm or ammunition, or a replica gun or toy ammunition which 
is so realistically designed so as to make it indistinguishable from a 
firearm or ammunition.  
Furskins, hides and skins of animals 
 HS 4101 2000 to 4106 9200 and HS 4301 1000 to 4304 0000 
Raw hides and skins of other animals (other than furskins). Raw 
furskins (including heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings, 
suitable for furriers use), other than raw hides and skins of headings 41 01, 41 02 and 41 03 
All Palm plants All palm plants covered under the Palm Plant (Protection) Act S.I. 17 
of 2007. 
 
    
 
    
 
  
* In English only .   ___________   WT/ACC/SYC/14
 Page 21Annex 2*