In Dominica, like in most other countries, there are prohibitions and restrictions on the importation of certain items. It is basically intended for health and safety reasons, to safeguard society, or to curb the illegal use and importation of certain products.
Importers and travelers are sometimes unaware of the various permit requirements for the importation of those prohibitions and restrictions and as a result, they are found to be in contravention of the Customs Act.
Any prohibited goods and restricted goods arriving without a valid permit is a breach of Schedule 3 of the Customs Act.
Even though ignorance is no excuse under the law, Customs would prefer to have known clients who are acquiescent with the above.
Below is a list of the more common items that are prohibited:
- Counterfeit coins
- Fictitious stamps
- Food unfit for human consumption
- Indecent or obscene articles (pornography)
- Infected animals
- Pistols in the form of stylographic pens or pencils
- Any goods bearing the Coat of Arms of Dominica
Please find listed below items for which permits or licenses are required before importation:
- Importation of Arms and Ammunition must be accompanied by an “Import Permit” from the Commissioner of Police.
- Importation of gun powder, blasting powder, detonators, and explosives of any description (including fireworks and firecrackers) must be accompanied with an “Import License” from the Commissioner of Police
- The Government of Dominica is the only legal authority to import Tear Gas into Dominica
- Importation of wheat or meslin flour of HS heading 1101 originating from the CARICOM MDCs (Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Surinam) and extra-regional countries, must be accompanied by the relevant “Import License” from the Ministry of Trade
- Importation of plants, plant parts, plant products, seeds, and other such regulated items must be accompanied by an “Import Permit” from the office of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Service of the Division of Agriculture
- Importation of potatoes of heading 0701.90.00 must be accompanied by an “Import Permit” from the Ministry of Trade
- Importation of meat must be accompanied by a “Phytosanitary Certificate” from the exporting country and an “Import Permit” from the Division of Agriculture
- Importation of Rice in packages in excess of 10 KGs, must be accompanied by an “Import License” issued by the Dominica Import and Export Agency (DEXIA). [exception being importations by DEXIA]
- Importation of sugar of HS heading 1701 (other than heading 1701.91.00 i.e. sugar containing added flavoring or coloring matter, and heading 1701.99.10 i.e. icing sugar), must be accompanied with an “Import Permit” issued by DEXIA with the exception being importations by DEXIA, Josephine Gabriel & Co, and Dominica Brewery & Beverages
- Importation of pets must be accompanied by a “Health Permit” from the exporting country and an “Import Permit” from the Veterinary Department of the Division of Agriculture.
- Importation of human remains must be accompanied by an “Official Certificate of Cause of Death”, an “Embalmers Certificate” and a “Transit Permit” stating the names and age of the deceased, all issued by the relevant authorities in the exporting country
- Importation of radio transmission apparatus including V.H.F Radios must be accompanied with a “License” issued by the Ministry of Communication & Works authorizing the licensee to operate on specified frequencies
- Importation of Generators 20KVA and above must be accompanied by an “Import License” from the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL)
- Importation of cigarette making appliances, whether machine or paper must be accompanied by an “Import Permit’ from the Ministry of Health
- The importation of pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, rodenticides, acaricides, molluscicides), must be accompanied by an “Import License” from the Pesticide Control Board