All live animals (including pets), products of animal origin meant for human consumption and products of animal origin not meant for human consumption
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/MUS/13
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 15/12/2023
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.
Import of all live animals (including pets), products of animal origin meant for human consumption and products of animal origin not meant for human consumption is regulated under the Animal Diseases Act 1925. Under regulations made under this Act, an importer must apply to the Livestock and Veterinary Division for an import permit prior to import. The Import Permit lays down all the animal health and veterinary public health conditions which need to be fulfilled and certified by official veterinary authorities of the exporting country prior to export.
All import permits (except for live pets) are being issued online through the TradeNet Portal according to the GN 186 of 2019.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Import of:
(a) live animals including pets;
(b) products of animal origin meant for human consumption; and
(c) products of animal origin not meant for human consumption.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system applies to the above-mentioned 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 purpose of the Import Permit is to protect the country against sanitary threat in line with the WTO SPS Agreement.
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?
Animal Disease Act 1925 and subsequent regulations (Government Notice 186 of 2019).
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)?
The importer should hold a valid import permit prior to import; hence it is the responsibility of the importer to organize for application of import permits. Import permits are issued within two working days of application subject to all required information are submitted to the satisfaction of the LVD.
The products shall be verified, tested or analysis of the goods is done, the authorised officer shall issue or refuse to issue the import permit, as the ease may be, not later than two working days:
(a) after verification of the goods; or
(b) on the basis of the test report as the case may be.
For all consignment arriving at the port without a valid import permit and an international veterinary certificate, landing is not allowed, and such products are not cleared by the LVD.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Yes an import permit may be granted immediately if all required information is submitted to the satisfaction of the LVD. Imports are allowed immediately upon the issue of permits.
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.
No.
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?
For most products mentioned under answer 2 above, an import permit is delivered by the LVD. In the case of animal feed containing plant materials and fodder or fish and fish products, approval from the National Plant Protection Office and Ministry of Fisheries as a recommender in the TRADENET, is also required respectively.
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?
An import permit may be refused at any time in case of disease outbreak or suspicion of disease or veterinary public health issues in the country of export or in the country where the raw material originates or in the country where processing of the products has been carried out.
Applicants have the right of appeal and justifications are provided for any refusal in a transparent manner in the online system.
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?
All persons are eligible to apply for import permits.
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?
At the time of application, the importer should submit the following information:
(a) Live animals
i. Description, ii. Country of origin, iii. Quantity, iv. Common name, v. Scientific name, vi. Sex, vii. Quarantine site (if applicable) in country of export, viii. Purpose of import (for slaughter, qurbani etc.), ix. Test reports where applicable.
(b) Products of animal origin meant for human consumption
i. Description (category, type, specific details of product etc.), ii. Product technical details, iii. Brand name, iv. Country of origin, v. Quantity, vi. Name, address and storage capacity of cold storage/warehouse, vii. Number and type of package.
(c) Products of animal origin not meant for human consumption
i. Description (category, type, specific details of product etc.), ii. Product technical details, iii. Brand name, iv. Country of origin, v. Quantity, vi. Name, address and storage capacity of warehouse, vii. Number and type of package, viii. Treatment attestation where applicable.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Arrival of all consignments should be notified to the LVD at least two days in advance by filling in and submitting the Veterinary Entry Document and supporting documents such as the international veterinary certificate issued by the exporting country, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill number, a copy of the import permit etc. through the TradeNet Portal.
Live animals (except pets) and products of animal origin not meant for human consumption as well as for products of animal origin meant for human consumption, are being cleared online on through the TradeNet Portal. For live animals (pets), a certificate of entry is also being issued manually.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Import Fees:
• Horses – Rs 1,000 per animal.
• Cats and dogs – Rs 500 per animal.
• Caged birds – Rs 100 for every 10 birds or less.
• Cattle, goats and sheep – Rs 10 per animal.
• Other live animals – Rs 200 per animal.
• Meat intended for human consumption - Rs 50 for each ton of meat or less.
• Other items – Rs 100 permit.
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 deposit or advance payment.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
An import permit is valid for the following categories as follows:
Live animals including pets: one month
Products of animal origin meant for human consumption and not meat for human consumption) – three months.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No penalty.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
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?
No other conditions.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No other administrative procedures prior to importation.