Basic information
Outline of the system
At present, Paraguay has import licences administered by the Under Secretariat for Trade in the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC); by the National Food and Nutrition Institute (INAN), the National Health Monitoring Directorate (DINAVISA) and the Central Laboratory of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare; the National Plant and Seed Quality and Health Service (SENAVE); the National Animal Quality and Health Service (SENACSA); and the Environment Secretariat (SEAM). They may be of two kinds: automatic and non automatic. The former, as the name implies, are those that are granted subject to the sole requirement of completion of the necessary applications.
These automatic import licences are approved in all cases in which they comply with the legal requirements and are consistent with the provisions of Article 2 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Product coverage
Pursuant to Article 3 of Decree No. 139/93, a phytosanitary accreditation for imported plant products (AFIDI) is required for all goods of plant origin falling under the categories 3, 4 or 5 established by the Southern Cone Plant Health Committee (COSAVE) and MERCOSUR.
Category 3: plant products "in natura" for consumption, direct use or processing.
Category 4: seeds, plants and other plant material for propagation and/or reproduction.
Category 5: any other products of plant or non plant origin that do not fall under the previous categories and that, according to the corresponding product risk analysis, involve a demonstrable phytosanitary risk.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Automatic, once the importer is registered with the implementing authority (SENAVE). Transparency and prior knowledge of phytosanitary requirements.
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The application system covers all countries of origin and shipment.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Five (5) working days for products from the region and up to fifteen (15) working days for products from other regions.
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
SENAVE Decree No.139/93 adopting a system of phytosanitary accreditation for imported plant products (AFIDI); SENAVE Resolution No.202/09 repealing SENAVE Resolution No.183 of 23 May 2007 and ordering the updating of the requirements for the registration of natural and legal persons as importers of products and by products of plant origin.
Yes, licensing is mandatory for a specified universe of goods.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation stipulates that the designation of the products to be subjected to licensing is left to the discretion of the relevant administration.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The executive branch does not need to obtain legislative approval in order to abolish these licensing systems. Except in those cases in which the licences are established by international agreements or national laws.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
All persons and enterprises are entitled to register. Yes, they are eligible, provided they are enrolled in the corresponding register.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
All importers are eligible to apply for licences, the only requirement being that they be enrolled as such in the register of importers of the National Customs Directorate and in the registers of importers of the respective organs previously mentioned.
Is there a registration fee?
Yes, there is a registration fee.
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Servicio Nacional de Calidad y Sanidad Vegetal y de Semillas, SENAVE (National Plant and Seed Quality and Health Service)
Address
Humaitá N° 145 casi Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Telephone
(+) 591 21 441 549 / 441 491
Fax
(+) 591 21 441 549 / 441 491
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Servicio Nacional de Calidad y Sanidad Vegetal y de Semillas, SENAVE (National Plant and Seed Quality and Health Service)
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
The information required in import licence applications is indicated on the respective application forms. (See annexes to the resolutions in force.)
What 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?
Licence applications can be submitted on any working day preceding the date of import clearance.
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 licence applications can be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
If, for various reasons, the product has not arrived within the time stipulated and an application has been submitted, then yes an extension can be granted, provided a request is made.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
If all the requirements for granting a licence are met, a licence may be issued within a shorter time-limit.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
The administrative organs are those mentioned in the previous replies.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Products generally require approval and registration by more than one administrative organ.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no conditions other than those mentioned attached to the issue of a licence.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
In the case of agricultural chemicals. In all cases the amounts are periodically updated.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
In the case of SENAVE, 1 per cent of the f.o.b. value of the shipment.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
Amount or rate?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
Is it refundable?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
What is the period of retention?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
What is the purpose of this requirement?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
There are no reasons for refusal other than those that derive from failure to comply with the requirements and in all cases the interested party is notified so that the errors observed can be rectified.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
In all cases of refusal, administrative proceedings may be intiated.
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?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Each law or regulation specifies the necessary documents. In all cases, in addition to the import licence or authorization, the documents needed for import clearance are required.
In the case of SENAVE, the documents required for importation are: prior import authorization (APIM), compliance with Resolution MAG No. 443/94, certificate of origin of the product, chemical analysis of the product corresponding to the batch imported, and the expiry date.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no requirements other than those mentioned above.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
In the case of SENAVE, the period of validity is 3 (three) months, renewable for 3 (three) further months upon application and payment of the corresponding fee.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
Once an import licence has been issued, there is no penalty for total or partial non utilization.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are non transferable and only issued to the holders themselves or authorized persons or agents duly accredited as such.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
The foreign exchange market is free.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
The foreign exchange market is free.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
The foreign exchange market is free.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
The foreign exchange market is free.