Wheat and dairy products

Member: 

Basic information

1

Outline of the system

The importation of wheat and dairy products into Namibia for exemption from customs
duties.

2

Product coverage

A single permit system is used for importation of wheat and dairy products into Namibia for purposes of customs duty rebate. Conditions of importation are as stated on the import permit.

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 is not intended restrict quantity of imports.

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 does not discriminate by country.

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?

There is no restriction on eligibility but importers wishing to import wheat and dairy products under rebate have to apply for allocation of quotas.

14

Is there a registration fee?

15

Is there a 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?

Products and quantity to be imported, country of origin, port of origin, port of entry and date of importation. A list of conditions is indicated on the import permit.

25

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

Window of submission of an application

26

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

27

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

Issuing the license

28

Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

29

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

30

Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

31

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

32

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

None accept those required for the issuance of an import permit.

Fees and other administrative charges

33

Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

No.

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.

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?

Import permits are only refused if the quotas for the specific product have been depleted.

41

Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?

Applicants are informed of the reasons for refusal.

42

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

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?

45

What documents are required upon actual importation?

The rebate import permit, a permit from the Namibian Agronomic Board in the case of wheat and a veterinary permit from the Directorate of Veterinary Services for animal products.

46

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

No.

Conditions of licensing

47

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

The period of validity is normally one month.

48

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

No.

49

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

Licences are non-transferable between importers.

Foreign Exchange

50

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

The provision of foreign exchange for import is subject to the requirements of the financial institution.

51

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

52

Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?

53

What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?

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 the quantities of wheat and dairy products that can be imported without customs duties as well as application procedure is published in the newspapers during September of every year.

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 quotas issued to applicants are determined on a yearly basis.

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)

The permits issued must be presented to customs officials in order to be exempted from the payment of customs duties. Unused allocations are not added to quotas for the succeeding period.

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?

Applications should be made in advance before arrival of the shipment. Interested importers are allowed a period of one month to apply for quotas and permits are considered when submitted throughout the year for companies that have been allocated quotas.

6.5

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

Applications are processed within 1-2 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?

Importation can be done immediately once permit is issued.

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?

The permit applications are handled by a single administrative organ. However, with regard to importation of wheat, a permit from the Namibian Agronomic Board is required before importation.

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?

Rebate import permits are only considered for companies that have been allocated quotas.

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?

Not applicable.

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?

Not applicable.

6.11

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

No.