Department Of Agriculture Forestry And Fisheries Permit
Department Of Agriculture Forestry And Fisheries Permit, An import license or Permit is a document issued by a national government authorizing the importation of certain goods into its territory. Import licenses are considered to be non-tariff barriers to trade when used as a way to discriminate against another country’s goods in order to protect a domestic industry from foreign competition.
Each license specifies the volume of imports allowed, and the total volume allowed should not exceed the quota. Licenses can be sold to importing companies at a competitive price, or simply a fee. However, it is argued that this allocation method provides incentives for political lobbying and bribery. The government may put certain restrictions on what is imported as well as the number of imported goods and services.
For example, if a business wishes to import agricultural products such as vegetables, then the government may be concerned about the impact of such importations of the local market and thus impose a restriction.
How to apply for an import permit
The following documents serve as guides for the import of animal and animal products into South Africa
- Information on importing animals and animal products into South Africa: How to apply for a veterinary import permit
- Information on importing live freshwater aquarium fish into the Republic of South Africa
- Application to import live fish | Information on importing live fish
To import plants, plant products and other regulated articles to South Africa you must apply for an import permit issued by the National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa (NPPOZA). The permit is valid for a year.
You must meet the phytosanitary import conditions of the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act 36 of 1983) or the National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa (NPPOZA).
If products are not exempted from the import permit, you must complete an application form to import the products. If the products are exempted, you must ensure that they comply with phytosanitary measures for such exemption.
You must send a copy of the import permit to the exporter/supplier. The National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the exporting country must check if the products meet the import requirements of South Africa.
If import requirements are met, the NPPO will issue a phytosanitary certificate. The exporter must send the original phytosanitary certificate with the goods to South Africa.
What you should do
- Complete an Application for a permit for the importation of controlled goods and email to [email protected](link sends e-mail) or deliver it by hand to office 542 or 543 Harvest House, 30 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria.
- Pay the prescribed fee electronically or at the Department: The banking details are as follows:
Bank name: Standard Bank
Account name: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Import of controlled goods
Account number: 011251735
Branch name: Arcadia
Branch code: 01-08-45 - Send a copy of the import permit to the exporter/supplier.
- At the South African port of entry:
- NPPOZA inspectors will inspect the products and the phytosanitary certificate
- If the products comply with import requirements, the products will be released.
- You or your agent must take the import documents to the South African Revenue Service for final release
How long does it take
It might take one to 30 days to process your application.
How much does it cost
R 200
Forms to complete
Application for a permit for the importation of controlled goods
Who to contact
Postal address:
National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa (NPPOZA)
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Plant Health Import Permit Office
P.O Box 40024
Arcadia
0007
Physical address:
Harvest House
30 Hamilton Street
Arcadia
Pretoria.
Contact numbers:
Tel: +27 12 319 6130/6102/6396/6383/6207
Fax: +27 12 329 8292
E-mail: [email protected](link sends e-mail) or
[email protected]