The Register of Importers of Agricultural Products (RIMPA) is being created with a view to establishing a database of lawfully constituted natural and legal persons that are engaged in agricultural trading activities under a trade name. Such a database will make it possible to check that these persons are complying with national and international rules governing trade in goods. Importers of agricultural products must be listed in the RIMPA in order to obtain an import licence. This instrument is the cornerstone of the licensing and quota administration system for agricultural products. Its key objective is to provide the basis for the registration of such importers.
The registration application must be submitted online, through the Ministry of Agriculture website (www.agricultura.gob.do). Users are required to fill in the RIMPA registration form and attach various documents.
The Import Licensing Department at the Ministry of Agriculture will provide registration confirmation, which consists of a special identification code. This identification code is made up letters and numbers indicating: the year of registration; the commercial activity of the natural or legal person (retailer, distributor or processor); whether the company is classed as large, medium-sized or small; and the application's position in terms of order of receipt.
The registration may be cancelled at the holder's request; because of failure to comply with the provisions set out in the regulations; where the registration code is found to have been issued on the basis of false information; and/or by duly substantiated order of the competent judicial or administrative authority.
The Ministry of Agriculture may, during the registration process, as part of the evaluation phase, or once registration has taken place, make technical visits, which will be conducted by the Ministry itself or by authorized natural or legal persons. These visits are made to verify the conformity of the relevant health documentation and the establishment.