Import licensing products

Member: 

Basic information

1

Outline of the system

The import licensing system is governed by Decree No. 00-505/P-RM of 16 October 2000 on the regulation of foreign trade, Implementing Order No. 09-788 of 7 April 2009 and Interministerial Order No. 2015-1535/MIC/MEF-SG of 15 June 2015 establishing the list of prohibited imports and exports. The licensing system is administered by the Directorate-General of Trade, Consumer Affairs and Competition.

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Product coverage

Other products provided for in Interministerial Order No. 2015-1535/MCI/MEF-SG of 15 June 2015 drawing up the list of products prohibited from importation are subject to the licensing procedure. These include:
Authorization from the Ministry of Health:
- medicines for human use;
- medicines for veterinary use: joint authorization from the ministries responsible for health and for livestock;
- food additives: list to be drawn up by the Ministry of Health;
- cyanide: authorization from the ministry responsible for mining or the Ministry of Health.
Authorization from the Ministry of Trade:
- non-iodized salt not intended for human consumption;
- cigarettes, tobacco and other tobacco products.
Authorization from the Ministry of Transport:
- motor vehicles with a GVW of 3.5 tonnes or more: authorization from the relevant departments of the Ministry of Transport.
Authorization from the Ministry of the Environment:
- ozone-depleting substances: list to be drawn up by the Ministry of the Environment;
- dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT): authorization from the relevant departments of the Ministry of the Environment;
Authorization from the Ministry of Defence:
- arms and ammunition;
- explosives and detonation equipment: authorization from the Ministry of Defence and the relevant departments of the ministry responsible for mining;
- HF, VHF and UHF ground-to-air radios;
- radio-relay stations;
- satellite communication equipment;
- electronic and electromagnetic jamming systems;
- ground surveillance radars;
- air surveillance radars;
- direction-finding systems;
- fabrics, clothing and accessories for military use (fatigues and camouflage clothing);
- spare parts for military equipment;
- berets, hoods, hats, helmets, caps, kepis and other headgear for military use.
Authorization from the Ministry responsible for security:
- observation drones;
- electromagnetic wave capture systems;
- night-vision binoculars;
- laser rangefinders;
- metal detectors;
- single-cab and double-cab pick-up trucks with engines of six cylinders or more;
- portable magnetic detectors;
- demining kits;
- anti-fragmentation demining suits;
- electric and pyrotechnic detonators;
- detonating cords;
- safety fuses.

Nature of licensing

Automatic

3

If Automatic, administrative purpose

Non-Automatic

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

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Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

The importation of goods under the import licensing system is carried out without restriction on quantities and values. The purpose of the licensing procedure in Mali is to ensure the traceability and predictability of trade for better environmental protection and security management. It also provides economic, financial and trade information.

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

No products are under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports.

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The system applies to products originating from which country?

The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.

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Expected duration of licensing procedure

Eligibility of applicants

12

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

13

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

Only approved natural or legal persons (in other words, those meeting the requirements under current regulations in this area, namely registration on the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register and possession of a valid import-export trading licence and a tax identification number) are authorized to engage in import operations.

14

Is there a registration fee?

15

Is there a published list of authorized importers?

Contact point for information on eligibility

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Ministry/Authority

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Address

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Telephone

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Fax

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E-mail address

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Website

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Contact officer

Submission of an application

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Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application

Documentation requirements

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What information is required in applications?

A sample application form for certificates of intention to import is available from the Single Window and regional representative offices. Applicants must attach a pro forma invoice to their application.

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

Other documents to be provided:
- transit of cattle and importation of live animals other than bovine animals: presentation of an animal health certificate;
- reproductive seeds: registration in the official national catalogue of the importing country and presentation of an animal health certificate;
- plants: presentation of a permit or a phytosanitary certificate of origin;
- plant seeds: presentation of a permit or certificate of origin;
- meat other than that of bovine animals and game: presentation of a permit or health certificate from the country of origin.

Window of submission of an application

26

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

There is no time limit for the submission of applications for certificates of intention to import. However, the certificate must be established by the importer before the goods are shipped, for documentary inspection reasons.

27

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

There is no particular period of the year for the submission of applications for certificates of intention to import. Applications for certificates of intention to import may be submitted at any time of year.

Issuing the license

28

Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

Certificates of intention to import are issued automatically within 24 hours of the application being filed and, in all cases, certificates of intention to import are issued automatically provided that the importer meets the necessary conditions.

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

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Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

Importers may approach either the Directorate-General of Trade, Consumer Affairs and Competition (Single Window for Foreign Trade) or its regional representative offices.

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

Importers may approach either the Directorate-General of Trade, Consumer Affairs and Competition (Single Window for Foreign Trade) or its regional representative offices.

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

No particular conditions are attached to the issue of a certificate of intention to import.

Fees and other administrative charges

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Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

Yes.

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What is the amount of the fee or charge?

The importer pays 0.75% of the f.o.b. value as a contribution to the Import Inspection Programme.

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

No deposit or advance payment is required for the issue of a certificate of intention to import.

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Amount or rate?

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Is it refundable?

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What is the period of retention?

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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?

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Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?

Reasons for refusal are stated directly on the application filed by the applicant.

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

In the event of a refusal, the applicant is free to appeal the decision before any competent body

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If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

Notably the Trade Tribunal

Importation

44

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

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What documents are required upon actual importation?

The documents required upon actual importation are:
- a certificate of intention to import;
- a declaration for home use;
- a definitive invoice or bill of lading/airway bill;
- a preshipment inspection certificate from the inspection company in cases where the f.o.b. value of the goods is CFAF 3,000,000 or more.

46

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

No administrative procedures are required prior to importation once the certificate of intention to import has been obtained.

Conditions of licensing

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

The period of validity of a certificate of intention to import is twelve months from the date on which it is registered with the Directorate-General of Trade, Consumer Affairs and Competition. It may be extended for a further six extra months at the importer's request. All extension requests must be submitted to the Directorate-General of Trade, Consumer Affairs and Competition before the expiry of the original period of validity. The certificate of intention to import may only be extended once. However, special extension of a maximum period of one month may be granted to allow for financial transfers to suppliers.

48

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

There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a certificate of intention to import or a portion thereof.

49

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

Certificates of intention to import are personal and cannot be transferred.

Foreign Exchange

50

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

For goods that are to be imported, foreign exchange is transferred from the client's bank to the supplier's bank (payment by bank transfer).

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

Foreign exchange may be obtained without an import licence (certificate of intention to import) for other payments not concerning imported goods.

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Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?

Foreign exchange is always available for any licence (certificate of intention to import) issued.

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What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?

In order to obtain foreign exchange, it is necessary to contact a financial and/or banking institution and any authorized intermediary or the Postal Administration. This leads to the establishment of an "exchange authorization" form, which has to be endorsed by the intermediary responsible for payment.