Basic information
Outline of the system
The NMIS as the sole national controlling authority on meat inspection is committed to protect the meat consuming public through sustained excellent and efficient meat inspection services by implementing appropriate and innovative technologies to ensure meat safety and quality.
The NMIS is mandated to accredit importers of meat to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements.
The importer must secure license from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and apply for SPS Import Clearance from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
Product coverage
The coverage of this licensing system is HS 02 – Meat and meat preparations, except 02.10 – meat salted, smoked, or in brine.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Non automatic licensing to protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect environment
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The license is required for reasons of public health and safety.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The NMIS requires accreditation of meat importers. Only licensed meat importers can bring in meat into the Philippines.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Ongoing
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The requirement is covered by the following:
• Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9296, otherwise known as "The Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines", as amended by R.A. 10536.
• DA Administrative Order (DA AO) No. 16 Series of 2021 entitled "Licensing Procedures for Meat Importers, Revising the Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 09 Series of 2013 entitled "Supplemental Guideline to DA AO No. 26 Series of 2005, Section III: Accreditation Procedure for Meat Importers".
• NMIS Memorandum Circular (NMIS MC) No. 10-2021-035 entitled "Guidelines on the Implementation of the Online Submission of Documentary Requirements for Applications for a License to Import".
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system 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?
Pursuant to DA AO No. 16 Series of 2021and NMIS MC 10-2021-035, all juridical persons, corporations and institutions, are eligible to apply for license as long as they meet the basic requirements/criteria laid down in the guidelines.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS)
Address
No. 4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Diliman, Quezon City
Telephone
(632)9247973; +639178367009
Fax
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS)
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
The information required in applications includes:
(a) name and address of importer, business of importer, contact details.
(b) type of company, name and address of cold storage warehouse
(c) authorized contact person, type of ID presented
(d) classification of importer
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The documents required to support the application are as follows:
(a) Mayor's Business Permit for the current year
(b) Certificate of Accreditation as Importer from BOC
(c) DTI Registration and bank certification of PHP 5,000,000.00 for Single Proprietor
(d) SEC Good Standing and SEC GIS with paid-up capital of PHP 5,000,000.00 for Corporation
(e) CDA Certificate of Compliance and CDA Paid-up Share Capital of PHP 5,000,000.00 for Cooperative
(f) SEC Good Standing and bank certification of PHP 5,000,000.00 for Partnership and One Person Corporation (OPC)
(g) BIR TIN Certificate of Registration
(h) Notarized leased of contract to cold storage warehouse
(i) License to Operate certificate of cold storage warehouse or chilling facility for imported chilled meat.
(j) Attendance certificate on meat importers’ orientation
(k) and additional requirements depending on the desired meat importer classification.
Forms are downloadable at the NMIS website
Upon importation, the documents required include:
(a) commercial invoice
(b) bill of lading
(c) approved SPS import clearance from the BAI
(d) formal customs entry
(e) valid meat importers’ license
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
(Answerable by BAI – SPSIC Applications)
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
(Answerable by BAI – SPSIC Applications)
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
(Answerable by BAI – SPSIC Applications)
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
(Answerable by BAI – SPSIC Applications)
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
(Answerable by BAI – SPSIC Applications)
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
(Answerable by BAI – SPSIC Applications)
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Not applicable.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Below is the list of licensing fees or administrative charges imposed in the application of meat importers’ license:
(a) Accreditation Fee – PHP 15,000.00
(b) Mailing Fee – based on current market price
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 licences.
Please refer to https://nmis.gov.ph for further information.
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?
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
In the event of denial or disapproval by the NMIS of an application for meat importer license, the applicant is informed of the reason for such disapproval and given the right instruction to comply.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
(Answerable by BAI – SPSIC Applications)
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Not applicable.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The validity of meat importer’s license is three years from the date of issuance and renewable every three years.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
Not applicable.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licenses are registered under the name of the applicant-importer only and are non-transferable.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Not applicable.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Not applicable.