Basic information
Outline of the system
The Government of Grenada maintains an import licensing system to regulate the importation of goods, which are subject to the licensing regime. The import licensing system is regulated by the Supplies Control Act CAP. 314 of the Revised Laws of Grenada and the Supplies Control Regulations (Section 3). The licensing system is administered by the Ministry of Finance and Trade through its Consumer Affairs Division.
Product coverage
Imports of Goods which appear on the Supplies Control Act CAP. 314 and the Supplies Control Regulations (Section 3) (List of goods requiring licence prior to importation from extra regional sources (see Products)) are subject to licensing.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Licensing is automatically granted except for whole chicken (tariff heading 0207.12), eggs (tariff heading 0407.003) and war toys (tariff heading 9503.90). The import licensing system is applied for:
- Regulating and monitoring purposes;
- Security purposes.
- Environmental purposes.
The objective is in no way to restrict the quantity or value of imports.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Please see Answers 6.1-6.11.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods originating from the Caribbean Community and extra regional countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The licensing system is a statutory requirement maintained under the Supplies Control Act CAP. 314 and the Supplies Control Regulations (Section 3).
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation does not leave designation of products to be subject to automatic licensing to administrative discretion.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Under the Supplies Control Act, the Minister can add or delete items from the list without legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development through its Licensing Division.
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
A sample of the application form is attached. Applicants are required to state their personal or business name; address; the country from which the goods are sourced and the country from which it is being consigned; the expected date and time of arrival; the relevant tariff heading, the description of the goods; the quantity and the quoted c.i.f value.
Application form.pdfWhat documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Importers are advised to submit applications prior to arrival of goods. Licences are normally processed within 48 hours of receipt by the Consumer Affairs Division.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Yes, a licence can be granted immediately on request.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Licences can be obtained within a shorter period of time for goods already on the Port.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Licence applications are considered by one administrative body. All import licences are processed by the Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development through its Licensing Division.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no conditions attached to the issuance of a licence.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
A fee of EC$5.00 is charge per licence.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
A fee of EC$5.00 is charge per licence.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of import licence.
Amount or rate?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of import licence.
Is it refundable?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of import licence.
What is the period of retention?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of import licence.
What is the purpose of this requirement?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of import licence.
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
All applications for licences are automatically approved except those that fail to meet the ordinary criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
In the event of refusal to issue an import licence the applicant will be informed of the reason for refusal.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
The applicant has the right to appeal to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Trade or seek redress in civil court.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
The applicant has the right to appeal to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Trade or seek redress in civil court.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon importation, an importer is required to submit the approved licence to the Customs Department.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
For meat and eggs, a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) certificate is necessary from the Ministry of Agriculture prior to the approval of the licence. An import permit is required from the Pest Management Unit, Ministry of Agriculture to import planting materials, fruits and vegetables.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
A licence is valid for a period up to three months and can be extended by renewal upon expiry of that period by the issuance of a new licence under the same procedure, for a maximum of one year.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There are no penalties for the non-utilization of an import licence or a portion thereof.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Import licences are not transferable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
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)
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?
Information relating to quotas and other related formalities is communicated to importers in the Official Gazette or in writing from time to time.
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?
Quotas (when and where applicable) are determined on a yearly basis. All licences are issued on request except whole chicken, eggs and war toys. The application must be made prior to importation.
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)
Licenses are allocated on a non-discriminatory basis, first-come, first-served.
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?
The period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licence is two weeks.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Applications for licenses are processed within 48 hours and are valid for three months from the date of issue.
How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Applications are usually presented 1 week prior to the arrival of imports, but in several instances applications are presented a few hours before clearing Customs.
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?
Licence applications are considered by one administrative body. All import licences are processed by the Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development through its Licensing Division.
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?
As indicated earlier, licences are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
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?
There are no bilateral quotas or export restraints arrangements.
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?
Importers are asked to inform exporters of national requirements.
Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
No licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market.