Animals and animal products
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/NAM/6
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 30/08/2010
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.
The importation of animals and animal products into Namibia is governed by the Animal Diseases and Parasites Act, 1956 (Act No. 13 of 1956) as amended. A veterinary import permit issued by the Director of Veterinary Services is required for the importation of all animals and animal products into Namibia. The OIE Animal Health Code is used as the guideline for setting import requirements.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
A single permit system is used for all animals/animal products imported into Namibia. Conditions of importation are as stated on the import permit.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system does not discriminate by country except that:
- Animals/animal products from South Africa – a veterinary import permit is required for the importation of ostriches, elephants, wild pigs, wildebeest and buffalo only. Importation of other animals/animal products is subject to a veterinary movement certificate issued by an official veterinarian in South Africa with requirements as set out in the Namibian/South African bilateral agreement (i.e. no import permit is required).
- Importation of dogs and cats for personal use from South Africa are allowed without a veterinary import permit, but a health certificate/movement permit issued by an official veterinarian in South Africa required. All other animals and animal products require a veterinary import permit.
- In the case of a disease outbreak in a specific country.
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 system does not restrict quantity except where quarantine is required (space limitations). The system is aimed at preventing the introduction of disease that could constitute a danger to the animal population of Namibia.
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 system is governed by the Animal Diseases and Parasites Act, 1956 (Act No. 13 of 1956)
as amended. The import permit is a statutory requirement.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
It is not possible to abolish the system without legislative approval.
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)?
Applications should be made well in advance to allow for risk analysis.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Issuance of a permit is dependent on the risk analysis.
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?
Some imports are subject to the approval of other institutions, e.g. Ministry of Environment and Tourism in the case of protected species, Livestock Improvement Permit in the case of breeding material.
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?
Import permits are only refused if normal criteria are not met, e.g. if it appears that the import
constitutes a danger of introducing disease to Namibia, or when quarantine space (where applicable) is unavailable.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Reasons for refusal are given to the applicant.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Yes. Applicants have the right of appeal.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry under the provisions of Act 13 of 1956.
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?
No restriction on eligibility.
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?
What information is required in applications?
Number and species to be imported, country and farm of origin, place of loading, port of entry
and date of importation.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
A list of other requirements by species and commodity is contained in the application for an import permit.
In the case of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs and meat thereof, the application for a veterinary permit must be accompanied by a permit from the Meat Board of Namibia.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
In the case of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs and meat thereof, the application for a veterinary permit must be accompanied by a permit from the Meat Board of Namibia. Some imports are subject to the approval of other institutions, e.g. Ministry of Environment and Tourism in the case of protected species, Livestock Improvement Permit in the case of breeding material.
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 there is a fee.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
There is a fee of N$50.
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.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
The period of validity varies according to consignment.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are non-transferable between importers.
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?
None, except those as required by the import permit.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.
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?
The provision of foreign exchange for import is subject to the requirements of the financial institution.