Televisions, decoders, recorders or other television receiver equipment

Member: 

Basic information

1

Outline of the system

Gabon, following the example of the other African countries, has implemented a programme that aims to replace analogue television by digital terrestrial television (DTT), in light of the many advantages that it presents. The Government accordingly decided to prohibit, as from 1 January 2016, all imports of equipment (decoders, recorders or other television equipment) that is not compatible with DTT.

Moreover, imports of televisions, decoders, recorders or other television receiver equipment are subject to a special import authorization issued jointly by the Directorate-General of Trade and the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (ARCEP).

2

Product coverage

A special import authorization is required for all imports of televisions, decoders, recorders or other television receiver equipment.

Nature of licensing

Automatic

3

If Automatic, administrative purpose

Non-Automatic

4

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

5

Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

The system aims to ensure that televisions, decoders, recorders and other television receiver equipment sold in Gabon allow proper broadcasting via DTT.

6

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

See answers 6.1-6.11

7

The system applies to products originating from which country?

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

8

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?

Economic operators, and natural or legal persons are eligible to apply for a licence.

14

Is there a registration fee?

15

Is there a published list of authorized importers?

There is no published list of authorized importers.

Contact point for information on eligibility

16

Ministry/Authority

17

Address

18

Telephone

19

Fax

20

E-mail address

21

Website

22

Contact officer

Submission of an application

23

Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application

Documentation requirements

24

What information is required in applications?

25

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

Importers must complete a form.

Window of submission of an application

26

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

The Orders do not establish a specific time-limit, but it is preferable to allow for around five working days.

27

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

No.

Issuing the license

28

Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

In principle, no.

29

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

Licences cannot be issued for goods for which an application has not been filed, irrespective of the reason provided.

30

Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

Import licences are issued jointly by the Directorate-General of Trade and the ARCEP to importers that meet the criteria set out in the Orders.

31

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

Import licences are issued jointly by the Directorate-General of Trade and the ARCEP to importers that meet the criteria set out in the Orders.

32

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

No other procedures are required for the issue of a licence.

Fees and other administrative charges

33

Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

The Directorate-General of Trade charges a registration fee.

34

What is the amount of the fee or charge?

35

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

No fee or deposit is required.

36

Amount or rate?

37

Is it refundable?

38

What is the period of retention?

39

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?

A licence application may be rejected if the established quota has already been filled.

41

Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?

In such circumstances, the importer is notified.

42

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

There is no possibility for importers whose applications have been rejected to file an appeal.

43

If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

Importation

44

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

No.

45

What documents are required upon actual importation?

The release of goods from customs is subject to presentation of the special import authorization issued jointly by the Directorate-General of Trade and the ARCEP to importers that meet the criteria set out in the Orders.

46

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

There are no other procedures required by the Directorate-General of Trade.

Conditions of licensing

47

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

Import licences are valid as from the date of issue until the date that the refrigerants are cleared from customs.

48

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

The Directorate-General of Trade does not impose penalties for the non-utilization of a licence.

49

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

Licences may not be transferred among importers.

Foreign Exchange

50

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

To be confirmed by the banking authorities.

51

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

To be confirmed by the banking authorities.

52

Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?

To be confirmed by the banking authorities.

53

What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?

To be confirmed by the banking authorities.

The following questions are only for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally)

6.1

Where is information on allocation and formalities for licences published? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?

Information on quotas, procedures for filing licence applications, exceptions and waivers is contained in the aforementioned Orders.

6.2

Is the size of the quota determined: on yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for a fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?

The technical specifications for equipment are determined by the ARCEP.

6.3

Are licences allocated for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate)

Import licences are issued jointly by the Directorate-General of Trade and the ARCEP to importers that meet the criteria set out in the Orders.
Importers of equipment are required to declare in advance their imports to the Directorate-General of Trade, in accordance with the conditions determined by the Ministry responsible for trade.
The Orders make no reference to the possibility of communicating the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated to foreign governments, upon request.

6.4

From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?

There are no specific conditions, but preferably importers should file their applications five working days in advance.

6.5

What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?

There are no specific conditions, but generally applications are processed within five working days.

6.6

How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?

There are no specific restrictions in this regard.

6.7

Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?

Import licences are issued jointly by the Directorate-General of Trade and the ARCEP to importers that meet the criteria set out in the Orders.

6.8

If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?

The Orders make no reference to such a system.

6.9

In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?

The Orders make no reference to such a system.

6.10

In cases where imports are allocated on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?

The Orders make no reference to such a system.

6.11

Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?

The Orders make no reference to such a system.