Basic information
Outline of the system
The National Agricultural Products Regulatory Office (NAPRO) came into operation in November 2013. NAPRO controls and regulates the import, export, production, and sale of regulated products in Mauritius. The National Agricultural Products Regulatory Office Act 2013 defines regulated products in the First Schedule as including tea and tea products and tobacco and tobacco products. NAPRO does not issue licences for importation of regulated products but issues Clearance Certificates for regulated products already imported into Mauritius.
Product coverage
Import of:
(i) Tea and tea products; and
(ii) Tobacco and tobacco products are subject to import clearance (similar to automatic licensing), and the system has no trade restricting effects.
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 clearance system is for statistical purposes and to ensure that the products are in conformity with local regulations.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
N/A.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The system is under the National Agricultural Products Regulatory Office Act 2013, the National Agricultural Products Regulations 2013 and the Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations 2022.
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?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply. Clearance Certificates are issued to importers regardless of whether they are producers of like products or not. However, Clearance Certificates for import of black tea in bulk are issued only to producers of tea for blending purposes.
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
National Agricultural Products Regulatory Office (NAPRO), Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
The application form is available at the office of NAPRO and can also be downloaded from the website of the NAPRO.
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?
Applications may be made prior to import of goods.
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 application for clearance may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
The application may be approved immediately on request but authorization to remove the goods from the port or bonded Warehouse is conveyed after inspection.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Applications are considered on receipt and information concerning filing of applications for clearances are provided at the Office, by phone and by mail upon request and usually processed on the same day or on the next working day.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Consideration of applications for tea and tobacco products are effected by one administrative unit, NAPRO.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
However, for import of tea and tea products, the prospective importer must also apply for a Plant Import Permit (PIP) from the National Plant Protection Office (NPPO) through the online platform of Mauritius Networking System (MNS). A PIP is generally issued by NPPO upon approval from NAPRO for importation of tea and tea products. The consignment of tea and tea products should be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the appropriate authority of the country of origin.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Conditions for clearance are listed in the application form which can be downloaded from the website of NAPRO.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There is an application and a clearance fee.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Different fees are charged for different products and depend on the quality of products imported (as per Annex I)
Annex I
NAPRO- CLEARANCE FEES
| FEE (Rs) | ||
| Application fee for any import intended for commercial purposes | 1,000 | |
| Importation of – | ||
| (a) Cigarettes – | ||
| (i) exceeding 2,000 sticks | 20 | per thousand or part thereof |
| (ii) not exceeding 2,000 sticks | 500 | |
| (b) Cigarillos - | ||
| (i) exceeding 1,000 units | 20 | per thousand or part thereof |
| (ii) not exceeding 1,000 units | 500 | |
| (c) Leaf tobacco, including cut-rag | 1 | per kg or part thereof |
| (d) Smoking tobacco | 50 | per kg or part thereof |
| (e) Cigars | 50 | per kg or part thereof |
| (f) Other tobacco products | 110 | per kg or part thereof |
| (g) black tea products for blending purposes | 20 | per kg or part thereof |
| (h) green tea products in packets of 1kg or above | 40 | per kg or part thereof |
| (i) black tea products, green tea products and other tea products not exceeding 2kgs and intended – | per tonne, or | |
| (i) for own consumption;} | ||
| (ii) for gift; or} | ||
| (iii) to be used as sample} | ||
| (j) other tea products | Nil | per kg or part thereof |
| (k) Instant tea mix, concentrates containing tea extract, concentrates for dilution containing tea extracts | 300 | % of tea content in the mix or concentrates per kg x Rs 300 per kg |
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No deposit or advance payment is required.
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?
N/A.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
N/A.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
N/A.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
N/A.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for clearance may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon importation the importer is required to submit the approved application together with the invoice, packing list , bill of lading, bill of entry (customs declaration form) and a Phytosanitary Certificate for tea products.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
For tea and tea products, prior to importation the prospective importer must be in possession of a Plant Import Permit issued by National Plant Protection Office (NPPO) which is delivered upon approval from NAPRO.
For tobacco and tobacco products imported for sale on the local market, first time importers must have the approval from the Ministry of Health and Wellness with respect to packaging and labelling requirements.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The Clearance Certificate for the import of tea and tea products is valid for one month and that for tobacco and tobacco products is valid for six months as from the date of issue. Request for extension may be considered on a case-by-case basis. In case the validity period has expired, another application fee will be payable.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for non-utilization of a clearance or part thereof, but the fee paid is not refundable.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Clearance Certificates are not transferable.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Foreign exchange is provided by banking authorities without impediments.