Import Licensing Notification Portal

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.

Import Permit is regulated under Control of goods, Prices and other Charges Act, Statutory Instrument No.52 of 2003, (Cap 43:08). The information is published in a number of publications including the Botswana Trade Portal website, and Government portals and various flyers. The information published is in terms of requirements for obtaining the permits not on quotas as these are not import quotas.

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

(a) Loaves of bread (exceeding 6 loaves per week).
(b) Pie pastries (exceeding 5kg of pasties per week).

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

The system applies to goods originating from all countries.

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?

The licensing is intended to monitor the quantity of imports. These are import permits and can therefore be used solely for importation. Monitoring is done through the customs declaration processes. Information on trade data is available upon request from Statistics Botswana.

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?

Is the licensing statutorily required?

The Import Permit is regulated under Control of goods, Prices and other Charges Act, Statutory Instrument No.52 of 2003, (Cap 43:08) which is an Act of Parliament that can only be amended by Parliament processes. The Act specifies the products covered and is not subject to any discretion.

Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?

The Act specifies the products covered and is not subject to any discretion.

Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?

An Act of Parliament that can only be amended by Parliament processes. The Act specifies the products covered and is not subject to any discretion.

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)?

N/A

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

Import permits are issued immediately on request (within one day), by the Department of International Trade solely, on request provided that the importer satisfies the requirements. Applications for a permit should be submitted before importation, there is no specific days required for the application, however an importer is expected to hold a valid import permit at the time of importation.

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.

Import permits do not depend on any period of the year.

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?

Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

Import permits applications are approved by the Department of International Trade, under the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry only.

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?

Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?

An application cannot be refused unless reasons for the application are not valid or if applicant has made false claims in order to be granted the permit.

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

Applicants have the right to appeal

If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

Applicants have the right to appeal to the Minister of Investment Trade and Industry with 30 days of receiving the Director of International Trade's decision.

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?

All persons/firms and institutions are eligible to apply for an import permit unless they do not meet the requirements.

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

What information is required in applications?

Company details, name of exporting country, quantities and products, name, port of entry, destination of goods.

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

Company certificate of incorporation, Trading License, request letter, National Identity card/passport.

Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?

A valid import permit.

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

Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

Yes.

What is the amount of the fee or charge?

BWP100.

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.

No.

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

Import permit is valid for six (6) months and renewed upon expiry.

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

There are no penalties for not utilizing a permit.

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

Import permits are not transferable.

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?

The are no other conditions.

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

There are no other administrative procedures.

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?

N/A

Bread loaves and pie pastries

Outline of Systems

Purposes and Coverage of Licensing

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

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

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?

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.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.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)?

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

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.

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?

Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence

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?

Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?

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

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.

Conditions of Licensing

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

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

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

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?

Other Procedural Requirements

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