Wild animals and plants
- 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 import permit system implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism applies to the import of wild animals or plants or their parts, derivatives and products.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
The permit system applies to wild animals or plants or their parts, derivatives and products.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system is non-country specific but applications are assessed individually and the nature of use in Namibia.
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 is intended as an instrument to control the importation of goods into the country as well as for statistical purposes.
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?
Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975 (amended in 1996).
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)?
At least a 3 days in advance of importation.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Two days could be fastest to provide a permit.
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 products might require the Veterinary approval with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.
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?
Permits applications may not be granted if the nature of utilisation is trade related but the applicant is not registered in Namibia or live animals are aliens to Namibian environment.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Reasons are provided to the applicant for such refusal.
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 and businesses who meet the criteria are eligible to apply for an import permit.
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?
Quantity, common and scientific name of the product, country of origin, date of import.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
A certificate from the country of export CITES Management Authority supporting and verifying the export of the product and a CITES export permit from country of origin.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
The importer must furnish the customs officials with the import permit issued by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism as well as Veterinary approval from Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry for some products, and an export permit from the country of origin.
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?
N$100.
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 permit is valid for six months.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No, but the permit fee is non-refundable.
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?
Applications assessed on individual basis and conditions differ as per products.
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.