Basic information
Outline of the system
The import licensing system for raw gold, uncut precious stones or other raw precious metals is administered by the National Bank of Cambodia. Under the Law on Foreign Exchange, all banks licensed by the National Bank of Cambodia and gold trading companies registered with the Ministry of Commerce is allowed to import these products over the value of USD$10,000 equivalent with any such import requiring prior declaration and license. The reason these items are under the purview of the bank is because raw gold, uncut precious stones or other raw precious metals can be used as a medium of exchange and a store of value performing the traditional function of currency and thus its cross-border flow and circulation in a nation can be considered that of a foreign currency. The administration is intent to provide the National Bank of Cambodia with inward and outward foreign capital flow information as their import has the potential to impact exchange rate value of the national currency which is under the purview of the National Bank of Cambodia. The information on the licensing process is available on the central bank website.
Product coverage
The required import license covers raw gold, uncut precious stones or other raw precious metals in the following HS 7101.10.00, 7101.21.00, 7102.10.00, 7102.21.00, 7102.29.00, 7102.31.00, 7102.39.00, 7103.10.10, 7103.10.20, 7103.10.90, 7104.10.10, 7104.20.00, 7106.10.00, 7106.91.00, 7106.92.00, 7108.11.00, 7108.12.10, 7108.12.90, 7108.13.00, 7108.20.00, 7110.11.10, 7110.11.90, 7110.19.00, 7110.21.10, 7110.21.90, 7110.29.00, 7110.31.10, 7110.31.90, 7110.39.00, 7110.41.10, 7110.41.90, 7110.49.00, 7110.00.10 , 7118.10.10, 7118.90.10, 7118.90.20, 7118.90.90.
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
It does not intent to restrict the quantity or value of import but only to collect data and keep track of its flow. An alternative has been considered to allow for easier import process while also able to collect the data however importers tend not to report their activity.
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 license does not discriminate by country of origin.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The law on foreign exchange requires any import of raw gold, uncut precious stones or other raw precious metal equal or exceeds USD$10,000 be subject to prior declaration to the Central bank. Licensing is not statutorily required but prior declaration is.
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?
It is possible for government to abolish the licensing 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?
All Cambodian Banks and firms incorporated as gold trading company can apply for import. All firms can apply for the gold trading licence.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
The names of importers are not made known to export promotion bodies of exporting countries as it is kept confidential for importer behalf.
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?
Registered address of business, certificate of incorporation, business license, photo of venue of business. To ensure licenses allocated are actually used for import, the importer need to provide custom declaration where the amount of actual import is reported.
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?
License application must normally be made seven days in advance but can be obtained within a shorter time limit.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
No. There is no quota and application for licenses can be submitted anytime. Import can be done immediately after license is granted. No aggregate limit is imposed on import value however importers are allowed to request a maximum of one ton of import at any one time and the license is valid for 30 days. Importer can keep requesting as many import licenses as needed as long as quota in previous license has been almost used up.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
It is possible for a license to be granted immediately on request, but usually administrative process would require at least a day. Processing time take between three-seven days.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
License is required for goods arriving at port.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
License application is administered by a single administrative organ which is the Central Bank.
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?
No other conditions are attached.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes there is a fee.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
The fee is 2,000,000 KHR or equivalent to USD$500.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No deposit or advanced payment needed.
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?
License requests are seldom and almost never rejected. No import requests have been declined before. License can be refused if importer is known to use the license improperly such as for money laundering purposes.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
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?
No. There is no quota and application for licenses can be submitted anytime. Import can be done immediately after license is granted. No aggregate limit is imposed on import value however importers are allowed to request a maximum of one ton of import at any one time and the license is valid for 30 days. Importer can keep requesting as many import licenses as needed as long as quota in previous license has been almost used up.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Custom office verification letter on the volume of actual import.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Nothing else needed.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The licence provided will be valid for 30 days.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No penalty will be imposed for non-utilization of a licence.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable to others.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Yes foreign exchange is readily available.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
No license is needed to obtain foreign exchange.