Combustibles
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/DOM/10
- Original language
- Spanish
- Published on
- 13/10/2025
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.
El sistema de licencias de importación de combustibles se aplica a fin de fiscalizar la importación y comercialización de dichos productos en el territorio nacional. Su administración corresponde al Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Mipymes (MICM), a través de la Dirección de Combustibles, unidad especializada en la materia.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
El sistema comprende las siguientes licencias:
- Licencia de importador de derivados del petróleo, incluido el gas licuado de petróleo (GLP), con terminal de almacenamiento propia.
- Licencia de importador de derivados del petróleo, incluido el GLP, sin terminal de almacenamiento propia.
- Licencia de importador de gas natural.
- Licencia de importador y almacenamiento de gas natural.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
Aplicable a todos los países productores de combustibles, salvo aquellos cuyas legislaciones internas prohíban su exportación o comercialización.
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?
El trámite de licencias no persigue limitar la cantidad ni el valor de las importaciones. Su objetivo es asegurar que únicamente las personas físicas o jurídicas legalmente habilitadas puedan importar combustibles, en cumplimiento de la normativa nacional.
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?
El régimen se fundamenta en la Ley Núm. 37-17, que reorganiza el MICM y regula la comercialización, control y abastecimiento de combustibles. La expedición de licencias es de carácter obligatorio. La administración tiene facultad legal para modificar o suprimir el sistema sin requerir aprobación legislativa.
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):
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?
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?
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.)
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?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
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 solicitudes deben presentarse con antelación suficiente a la operación de importación. La Dirección de Combustibles las procesa en orden cronológico, conforme a las disposiciones administrativas.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Las licencias no pueden extenderse. Su vigencia está determinada por la normativa aplicable.
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.
El otorgamiento de licencias se realiza durante todo el año. El plazo máximo de emisión es 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 examen de las solicitudes corresponde al MICM, que posteriormente remite los expedientes al Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MIREX) para visado y trámite internacional.
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?
Las solicitudes solo pueden denegarse por incumplimiento de requisitos legales o técnicos. En caso de rechazo, las causas se comunican por escrito al solicitante. Actualmente, no se contempla recurso administrativo contra la denegación.
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?
Toda persona física o jurídica del sector de combustibles puede solicitar licencia de importación, siempre que cumpla con los requisitos legales y técnicos previstos en la normativa. El MICM publica anualmente en su portal institucional el listado de importadores autorizados.
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?
Las solicitudes deben contener:
- Identificación del solicitante (nombre, estado civil, nacionalidad, cédula, domicilio social y residencia).
- Cantidad de combustible a importar.
- Finalidad de la importación.
- Declaración de actividad comercial.
Los documentos requeridos están detallados en el Decreto 307-01 y en la Resolución 311-2021.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Al realizarse la importación se requiere:
- Permiso de importación aprobado.
- Certificado de origen.
- Factura proforma.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Las cargas administrativas aplicables corresponden únicamente a disposiciones aduanales.
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.
La expedición de licencias no requiere depósitos ni pagos adicionales distintos de los tributos fiscales ordinarios.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
Las licencias tienen validez de un (1) año. Al vencimiento, el importador debe solicitar renovación. Cada contingente de importación requiere autorización específica.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
La licencia podrá ser cancelada si el importador no realiza operaciones de importación durante tres (3) años consecutivos.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Las licencias no son transferibles entre importadores.
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?
No se imponen condiciones adicionales a la expedición de licencias.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No existen procedimientos adicionales previos a la importación, distintos del trámite de licencia.
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 directamente sus transacciones internacionales mediante los sistemas de banca electrónica, de conformidad con la normativa bancaria nacional e internacional. No se requiere licencia específica para la obtención de divisas.