WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/LCA/5 
29 September 2008 
 (08-4572) 
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 notification, dated 1 July 2008, has been received from the Ministry of Trade, 
Industry, Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Investment of Saint. Lucia. 
 
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Outline of system
 
 
1. The import licensing system is regulated by the 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 a nd in the restricted items schedule attached to the 
Customs (Management and Control) Act. The Licensi ng system is administered by the Ministry of 
Commerce.  
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 2. See schedules attached to External Trade (Restricted Imports) Order No. 31 of 1996. 
3. The system applies to goods originating outside of 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 Saint Lucia Import Licensing Regime was adopted 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 Tr ade (Restricted Imports) Order are the legal 
authorities for the import licensing regime in Sa int Lucia. The various goods and products are 
classified in the schedules to the Order and th erefore administrative discretion is unnecessary. 
However goods such as controlled substances, fire arms and ammunition whic h require non-automatic 
licences may become subjected to administrative di scretion. A list of all items which require an 
                                                     
 
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/LCA/5 
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  import licence may be obtained from Her Majesty's Cu stoms, or from the Ministry of Commerce. The 
legal instruments were published in the Official Gazette as required by law.  
Procedures
 
 
6. For restricted products: 
I. Information is advertised by the Ministry of Commerce in the local Press and in the Official 
Gazette, from time to time regarding quotas 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 one month duration from date of issue and must be utilized in 
its entirety. No part may be transferred to other shipments.  
V. Applications are usually processed within 48 hours. 
 VI. Applications are usually presented within 24 hours of arrival of goods, but in several 
instances it has been observed that applicati ons are presented 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  (Police Commissioner); 
Drugs and Public Health – Ministry of Health.  VIII. Licences are allocated on a first come first 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 Saint Lucia.  X. Importers are asked to advise Expor ters 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 submit applications prior to arrival of goods. Licences are on most 
occasions processed within 48 hours of receipt by  the Ministry of Commerce, Investment and 
Consumer Affairs. Licences can be obtained ove r 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 th e year during which applications for licence 
and/or importation may be made. 
(d) Licences related to the External Trade Act are processed by the Ministry of Commerce.  
However, items such as meat and meat produc ts, plant and plant material, permits are 
processed by the Ministry of Agriculture; Weapons and Ammunition - Ministry of Internal Security (Police Commissioner); Motor Vehicles – Ministry of Transport; Medical Supplies – 
Ministry of Health. In all of the above an im porter would have to interface with at least two 
Government departments before obtaining clearance.  G/LIC/N/3/LCA/5 
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  8. All applications are approved automatically excep t for 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 for Commer ce, Investment and Consumer Affairs. Applicants 
may seek representation through one of the following the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; the Saint Lucia Industrial and Small Businesses’ Association or the Saint 
Lucia 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 copy of the relative commercial or proforma  invoice is required with each application. 
11.  In the case of goods originating out of the CARICOM, a Certificate of Origin is   required.   
12. No licensing or administrative fees are charged. 
13. There is no deposit or advance payment requirement  associated with the i ssuance of licences.   
Conditions of licensing  
 
14. A licence is valid for one month from date of issu e. The validity may be extended to facilitate 
the delivery of goods, if required. 
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilization 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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