Basic information
Outline of the system
The Government of Barbados employs an import licensing system to regulate the importation of goods, which are subject to the licensing regime. The arrangement is managed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce, under the Miscellaneous Controls Act Chapter 329 of the Laws of Barbados.
Product coverage
Products which are subject to import license under the Miscellaneous Controls (General Open Import Licence) Regulations are listed in Annex I.
These products are allowed to be imported under licence, which is considered on a case by case basis.
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
The import licensing system is applied for:
(i) Monitoring purposes;
(ii) Security purposes;
(iii) Protection of Public Morals;
(iv) Health purposes; and
(v) Environmental purposes.
Its 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
There are presently no Quantitative Restrictions.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods originating within CARICOM (Third Schedule of Annex I).
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The import licensing scheme is a statutory requirement maintained under the Miscellaneous Controls Act Chapter 329 of the Laws of Barbados.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Generally, the legislation does not leave designation of products subject to automatic licensing to administrative discretion. However, in the instance of licences to be issued for products which give rise to issues such as public morals, public safety and public health these licences are not issued automatically and are therefore subjected to administrative discretion. The respective statutory instruments are made available to the public by publication in the Official Gazette.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Any changes such as subjecting new products to import licensing or removal of existing products there from require 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 may apply for an import licence under the Miscellaneous Controls Act Cap 329.
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
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Applicants are required to state their personal or business name, address, the country from which the goods are sourced and the country from whence they are being consigned, the expected date and time of arrival, the relevant tariff heading, the description of the good(s), the quantity to be imported and the quoted C.I.F. value in Barbados dollars.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
No other document is required.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Import authorization for applications must be granted in advance of importation. Licences are processed within three to five working days.
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 periodic limits with regard to the time of year during which an import licence application could be submitted for authorization or a good could be imported.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
A licence can be granted immediately on request depending on the circumstance and or the type of good.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Licences can be granted within a shorter time limit. Applications for goods, which arrive owing to inadvertency, may be facilitated depending on the particular circumstance.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
In some cases, the consideration of import licence applications is effected by a number of administrative bodies, which are competent to give advice on the issuance of a licence according to the type of imported good(s). Applications for meat and meat products must be reviewed by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development before issuance by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce. In addition; applications for motorized vessels for pleasure or sports are considered by a Committee, which makes recommendations to the Minister responsible for Trade. The representatives of the Committee comprise The Maritime Affairs Division (Ministry of Transport International Transport and International Business), the Customs and Excise Department, the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
In some cases, yes.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no other conditions attached to the issuance of an import licence.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There is no licensing fee or administrative charge.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There is no deposit or advanced payment associated with the issuance of import licence.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
All licences are issued automatically except goods falling under the following categories:
- Health and Safety
- Public Morals
- Security
An application for an import licence is normally granted if it meets the ordinary criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
In the event of refusal to issue a licence the applicant will be informed of the reasons for the refusal.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Yes.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Applicants have the right to appeal to any of the following persons:
- Director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
- Permanent Secretary, and
- Minister
An applicant may approach the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry and or the Barbados Manufacturers Association to mediate on their behalf or they may 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 periodic limits with regard to the time of year during which an import licence application could be submitted for authorization or a good could be imported.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
For the importation of goods from CARICOM countries, a certificate of origin is required as well as the commercial invoice.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Imports are not subject to any other administrative procedures.
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 issuance of a new licence under the same procedure.
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?
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
There are no hindrances to obtaining foreign exchange from the banking authorities for goods to be imported. Licences are not required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Foreign exchange is readily available to cover licences issued and can be obtained from commercial banks once the importer is in possession of Original Invoice(s) for the importation of goods.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Those without invoices are required to complete a Foreign Currency Import Form (FCI) from the Central Bank after which authorization is given to obtain the currency.