World Trade Organization

Import Licensing Procedures

Armas y explosivos

Document symbol
G/LIC/N/3/DOM/9
Original language
Spanish
Published on
21/11/2024

Outline of Systems

Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.

Se aplica el régimen de licencias y permisos mediante el cual se fiscaliza la importación y comercio de armas de fuego, municiones, explosivos y sustancias químicas. El Ministerio de Defensa (MIDE) se encarga de administrar los controles de este tipo de importación, a través de un departamento especializado.

Purposes and Coverage of Licensing

Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.

Las licencias no automáticas son otorgadas a las personas que solicitan autorización para importar material explosivo, el cual se otorga en un período comprendido de treinta (30) días laborables, y a las armerías y empresas autorizadas para importar material explosivo y sustancias químicas.

Los productos abarcados son:

3102.10
3102.30
3102.50
3104.20
3104.30
Partidas desde la 36.01 a la 36.04
Capítulo 93

Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?

A todos los países que fabrican estos artefactos, excepto a aquellos cuyas legislaciones no les permiten exportar o comercializar estos productos.

Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?

No, la finalidad que persigue el sistema de licencias de importación es impedir la autorización a personas cuyo estatus o categoría para la tenencia y comercialización de armas de fuego está legalmente prohibida.

Otra finalidad es crear requisitos a las importaciones para que delimiten si estos pertrechos son utilizados por entidades oficiales reservadas exclusivamente para la seguridad del Estado, o sea: fusiles, ametralladoras, municiones, explosivos y otros materiales similares, y a la vez mantener el control interno de los productos importados.

Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?

Es legalmente obligatoria la solicitud para la importación de armamentos y materiales explosivos, y cada legislación establece qué productos están sujetos al régimen de la licencia de importación. La legislación es la que específica la designación de los productos a importar.

Si, las leyes le otorgan a la administración la facultad de suprimir el sistema sin necesidad de obtener acuerdo del poder legislativo.

Procedures

Q6. 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):

N/A

Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? 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?

N/A

Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a 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 fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?

N/A

Q6.III. Are licences allotted 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 the 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.)

N/A

Q6.IV. 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?

N/A

Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?

N/A

Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?

N/A

Q6.VII. 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?

N/A

Q6.VIII. 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?

N/A

Q6.IX. 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?

N/A

Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed 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?

N/A

Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?

N/A

Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:

Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?

Las licencias de importación se otorgan en base a las necesidades de los consumidores por orden cronológico y bajo las condiciones impuestas por las disposiciones administrativas.

Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

La licencia de exportación se otorga a las armerías en un máximo de cinco (5) días, contados a partir de la recepción de la solicitud.

Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.

Con relación a las licencias de importación de materiales explosivos, se otorga en un máximo de treinta (30) días.

Q7.d. 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?

El Ministerio de Defensa (MIDE) examina las solicitudes y posteriormente las remite al Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MIREX) para el visado y trámite internacional, y a la Dirección de Inteligencia Estratégica Nacional de las Fuerzas Armadas para las medidas de seguridad y control. No existen inconvenientes en otorgar las licencias de importación, en virtud de que tenemos varias empresas para importar armas y municiones de bajo calibre; varias empresas para importar explosivos.

El Ministerio de Defensa examina, controla y supervisa estas importaciones; y el Ministerio de Interior y Policía (MIP), supervisan las operaciones y comercio de estas empresas, a través de la Dirección Estratégica de Inteligencia Nacional.

Consultar páginas del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores https://mirex.gob.do/; Ministerio de Interior y Policía https://mip.gob.do/ y el Ministerio Defensa https://mide.gob.do/

Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

Ninguna condición adicional es aplicable. Las causas de la denegación se hacen saber al solicitante por escrito. En caso de denegación de una licencia no está contemplado el recurso.

Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence

Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?

Todas las personas, empresas o instituciones que estén autorizadas por las legislaciones correspondientes.

Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence

Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?

La siguiente información debe figurar en las solicitudes:

(a) Nombres y apellidos del solicitante, estado civil, nacionalidad, certificado de operación, cédula de identidad y electoral, domicilio social y residencia.

(b) Indicación de la cantidad de explosivos, marcas y demás características del mismo.

(c) Indicación del propósito para el cual se utilizará, además de la indicación de la indicación del lugar donde depositará y trabajará con los explosivos.

(d) La declaración comercial de su actividad.

Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?

Al realizarse la importación se requiere:

(a) Solicitud del permiso de importación aprobado,

(b) Certificado de origen, y

(c) Factura pro-forma.

Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?

Las cargas administrativas referentes a la importación están reguladas bajo disposiciones aduanales únicamente.

Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.

El solicitante debe cumplir con las cargas administrativas de impuestos internos para operar su licencia, ya que el Ministerio de Defensa otorga, supervisa o rechaza sin pagos adicionales.

Conditions of Licensing

Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?

La licencia de importación se otorga con validez de un año, a la fecha de vencimiento se solicita la renovación. La empresa solicita la debida autorización para cada pedido o contingente.

Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?

La no utilización de una licencia no implica sanción alguna, solo la obligación de renovación.

Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?

Las licencias no son transferibles.

Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?

La expedición de estos permisos no está sujeta a otras condiciones.

Other Procedural Requirements

Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?

No existen otros procedimientos previos a la importación.

Q19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported? Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange? Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued? What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?

Las empresas autorizadas realizan sus transacciones para el pago de sus contingentes mediante conexión internet banking con la empresa exportadora, bajo las regulaciones de la banca internacional y las legislaciones locales.