Baby feeding bottles

Member: 

Basic information

1

Outline of the system

Licences for the importation of baby feeding bottles. Ministry of Public Health Ordinance No. 158 of 21 March 2012 (MCN 3924.10.00).

Ministerial Ordinance (MSP) No. 158 of 21 March 2012 provides that the importation of baby feeding bottles shall be subject to the presentation of a sworn statement by the importing firm with the data requested under the Ordinance and a sworn statement from the technical manager of the factory of origin declaring that they do not use the monomer BPA in the production of baby feeding bottles.

2

Product coverage

Baby feeding bottles (MCN 3924.10.00)

Nature of licensing

Automatic

3

If Automatic, administrative purpose

Non-Automatic

4

If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime

Purpose of licences: human health care (baby feeding bottles)

5

Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

The licensing procedure is not intended to restrict the quantity of imports.

6

Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

See Answers 6.1-6.11

7

The system applies to products originating from which country?

In all the cases cited, the licences apply to any origin.

8

Expected duration of licensing procedure

Eligibility of applicants

12

Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?

The importer or body authorized to engage in importation is entitled to apply for a licence subject to registration.

13

What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?

The importer or body authorized to engage in importation is entitled to apply for a licence subject to registration.

14

Is there a registration fee?

15

Is there a published list of authorized importers?

Contact point for information on eligibility

16

Ministry/Authority

17

Address

18

Telephone

19

Fax

20

E-mail address

21

Website

22

Contact officer

Submission of an application

23

Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application

Ministry of Public Health

Documentation requirements

24

What information is required in applications?

25

What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?

Presentation of a commercial invoice will be requested in all cases.

Window of submission of an application

26

How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?

27

Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain

Issuing the license

28

Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

There is no provision for the urgent processing of licence applications.

29

Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence

All licence applications are dealth with in chronological order.

30

Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

31

Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?

32

Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?

There are no other conditions.

Fees and other administrative charges

33

Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

The National Directorate of Industry charges UR 0.2 per licence.

34

What is the amount of the fee or charge?

The adjustable unit (UR) is an adjustable amount based on the average wage index and calculated by the National Statistical Institute (INE).

35

Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?

This is not the case in Uruguay.

36

Amount or rate?

37

Is it refundable?

38

What is the period of retention?

39

What is the purpose of this requirement?

Refusal of an application

40

Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?

Not applicable.

41

Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?

Not applicable.

42

Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?

Not applicable.

43

If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

Not applicable.

Importation

44

Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?

45

What documents are required upon actual importation?

The documents normally needed for the issue of the Single Customs Document (DUA) are required in all cases.

46

Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?

Conditions of licensing

47

What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?

The licences referred to are valid for 60 days. A new licence application must be submitted for longer periods.

48

Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?

There is no penalty for the partial utilization or non-utilization of a licence.

49

Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?

Licences are not transferable.

Foreign Exchange

50

Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?

51

Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?

Possession of a licence is not a prerequisite for obtaining foreign exchange.

52

Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?

Foreign exchange is freely available in Uruguay and there are no restrictions on the transfer of capital or profits from or to foreign countries.

53

What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?

The following questions are only for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally)

6.1

Where is information on allocation and formalities for licences published? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?

There are no quotas for or restrictions on the importation of goods subject to a licensing obligation.

6.2

Is the size of the quota determined: on yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for a fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?

There are no quotas for or restrictions on the importation of goods subject to a licensing obligation.

6.3

Are licences allocated for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate)

There are no quotas for or restrictions on the importation of goods subject to a licensing obligation.

6.4

From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?

There are no quotas for or restrictions on the importation of goods subject to a licensing obligation.

6.5

What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?

6.6

How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?

Upon approval of the licence, the single customs document (DUA) may be registered immediately.

6.7

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?

All applications are to be filed electronically through the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE), which manages each one with the competent body. The importer deals with only one body.

In the case of licences to import baby feeding bottles, applications are filed with the Department of Medicines and Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Household Hygiene Products at the MSP.

6.8

If the demand for licences 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 applicant and if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?

These questions do not apply as they related to licences and do not imply an import restriction for quota administration purposes.

6.9

In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?

These questions do not apply as they related to licences and do not imply an import restriction for quota administration purposes.

6.10

In cases where imports are allocated on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?

These questions do not apply as they related to licences and do not imply an import restriction for quota administration purposes.

6.11

Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?

These questions do not apply as they related to licences and do not imply an import restriction for quota administration purposes.