WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/ZWE/1
9 October 1998
(98-3901)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
Notification under Article 7.3 of the
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures1
ZIMBABWE
The following notification, dated 21 September 1998, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of Zimbabwe.
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Outline of system
1. The import licensing system is regulated by  Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 766 of 1974 as
amended by SIs No. 134A of 1995 and No. 8 of 1996.2  The licensing system has since been reduced
drastically leaving only a few goods or products re quiring licences before being exported or imported.
These are referred to as goods on the negative list.  The licensing system is administered by the
Import/Export Licence Office, a department in th e Ministry of Industry and Commerce, hereafter
referred to as the Ministry.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2.(a) The Open General Licensing System is the main one currently in force.  Imports of products
that are on Open General Import Licence (OGIL) and exports of products that are on Open General
Export Licence (OGEL) do not require any licences.  The goods are generally industrial machinery,parts and accessories, excluding textile machinery, electrical products, motor vehicles and spares,
chemicals, etc.
(b) However those which fall under SI No. 8 of 1996 require import licences.  These are nuclear
reactors and parts thereof and radioactive and associated materials.  In terms of SI No. 134A of 1995,export licences are required for such goods as textile machinery and accessories and implements of
war.
(c) Quotas are used on goods exported to the Re publics of South Africa and Botswana pursuant
to bilateral trade agreements signed with the two countries respectively.  The goods covered areclothing and textiles only.
3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.
                                                     
1 This notification is valid for 1996, 1997 and 1998.
2 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (English only).G/LIC/N/3/ZWE/1
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4. Import licensing is for those goods which are on the negative list (SI No. 8 of 1996 - Control
of Goods – Open General Import Licence and SI  No. 134A of 1995 – Control of Goods – Open
General Export Licence).  The licensing is intended to restrict the quantity or value of the imports into
the country.
5. The licensing system is regulated by various and appropriate statutory instruments which are
reviewed from time to time as the need arises.  As stated in reply 1 above SI No. 8 of 1996 covers
imports and SI 134A of 1995 covers exports.  Products affected by the licensing system are listed in
the relevant statutory instruments and their importation is at administrative discretion.
Procedures
6. For products under restrictions:(i) Information relating to quotas, formalities of filing applications for licences, exceptions and
derogations are with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce which can also refer applicants
to other departments whose consent is needed before the applications are processed.
(ii) For the export of goods (textiles and clothing) under the Zimbabwe/South Africa and
Zimbabwe/Botswana Trade Agreements, export certificates issued by the licensing office are
needed for an applicant to enjoy the reduced tariffs when exporting to the foreign market.
(iii) For the products falling under the above-mentioned trade agreements, quotas are determined
by the associations they are affiliated to and the full list of the allocations sent to the Ministry
for administration purposes.
(iv) For the import or export of goods falling under the negative lists (SI No. 8 of 1996 for imports
and SI No. 134A of 1995 for exports), the restrictio ns are by way of licensing.  Applicants are
required to be involved in some way with  the goods they are importing or exporting.
Authority to such applications is granted by the Ministry after having satisfied itself as to the
reasons given by the applicant.  The need to put some of the goods on the negative list is to
protect our infant industry from unfair competition and dumping among other reasons from
the well-established multinational corporations.
(v) The size of the quotas is determined in accordance with the provisions of the two trade
agreements.
(vi) Submission of applications for licences is at any given time after the opening of quotas and
each licence covers each consignment the applicant is to export or vice versa only.
(vii) Applications for import licences are processed within a week and for exports at most in two
working days.  Licence applications are considered by one administrative body i.e. the
Ministry.
(viii) The quota licensing system is no longer applicable to imports but is used on exports i.e. textile
and clothing falling under the two trade agreements with South Africa and Botswana
respectively.  However, the granting of import licences in terms of SI No. 8 of 1996 is done as
and when applications are received from would-be importers and considered by the Ministry.
(ix) In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued
no import licences are required.
(x) Export permits from exporting countries are not required.G/LIC/N/3/ZWE/1
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(xi) No licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the
domestic market.
7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a
particular country:
(a) No import licence is required since the products or imports are on Open General Import
Licence.  Thus individuals and institutions just go  through the normal customs procedures in clearing
their goods.
(b) For goods falling under the negative list, a licence can be granted immediately on request if
approved by the Ministry.
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence
and/or importation may be made.
(d) An importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application.
8. None.  The reasons for any refusal are given to  the applicant in writing.  In the event of
refusal to issue a licence, the applicant has a right to  appeal to the highest authority in the Ministry.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for a licence.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. An importer is required to submit the following documents with the application:- completed Licence to Import application forms in duplicate duly signed;
- a formal application letter strongly outlining the need for such a request;  and
- commercial or pro forma invoices for the goods to be imported.
11. Upon actual importation, an importer is required to submit the approved original import
licence together with the following documents:
- invoices;
- freight statements;- certificate of origin if any preference is to be claimed;
- bill of entry;  and
- any other documents related to the goods that are to be imported.
12. There is no licensing fee or administration charge.13. There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of licences.Conditions of licensing
14. Import licences are valid for six months and can be renewed after an applicant applies in
writing giving reasons why the licence expired before actual importation.  If the reasons are valid the
licence will be extended.  Export licences are valid for three months from the date of issue.G/LIC/N/3/ZWE/1
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15. There is no penalty for non-utilization of a licence or a portion of it.
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.17. There are no conditions attached to the issuance of a licence except that an applicant does not
exceed the value or quantity as specified on the licence.
Other procedural requirements
18. There are no other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing required prior to
importation.
19. Since the liberalization of the exchange control and the introduction of the Economic
Structural Adjustment Programme, foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking sector
for goods to be imported for both holders and non-holders of import licences.
Note
It is of paramount importance to note that the replies to the Questionnaire on Import
Licensing Procedures were based on goods or products on the negative list in accordance with the
provisions of SIs No. 8 of 1996 – Control of Go ods (Open General Import Licence) and No. 134A of
1995 – Control of Goods (Open General Export Licence).  Otherwise, all other goods are on OpenGeneral Import and Export Licence subject to any other law that may be in force in Zimbabwe or
elsewhere.
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