Parliament Gardens, Theo Ben Gurirab, 13347, Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek, Namibia
tradeportal@mirco.gov.na

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Republic of Namibia

Ministry of International Relations & Trade

Namibia Trade Information Portal

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Agriculture Trade Regulations and Procedures

1) Agricultural Non-Tariff Measures and Schemes

While tariffs are the primary policy tool in Namibia's agricultural sector, the sector also uses other trade policy instruments for agricultural imports. These include tariff quotas and quantitative restrictions (QRs)/seasonal import bans combined with local purchase requirements, all in accordance with SACU commitments.

Tariff quotas in Namibia are for agricultural products under the SACU rebate facilities. These are effectively MFN tariff quotas, which allow limited quantities of specific products to be imported duty-free into Namibia from outside SACU. For Namibia, rebate facility quotas were created for wheat (in 1996) for local processing and dairy products. The rebate facilities are allocated through rebate permits by the MAWLR on the basis of previous year utilisation, while allowing access for new entrants. Information on the application procedure is published in newspapers in September of each year.

Detailed information on trade in controlled agricultural products can be found at About Trade and Marketing – Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (nammic.com.na) and from Import Restrictions | Horticulture Services | NAB

2) Import and Export Rules and Procedures Pertaining to Controlled Agricultural Products

a. Requirements for trade in livestock and meat products

To provide import protection for local industry against dumping Namibia implements a number of quantitative restrictions for livestock exports and imports.

Poultry market share promotion scheme (PMSPS). There are quantitative restrictions on poultry imports from all countries. Annually MIT allocates an import quota based on companies' market share and local purchases. PMSPS is implemented by the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade  under Import and Export Control Act, 1994. Procedures to import/export these products can be obtained from   INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND COMMERCE - MIT - Portal Ariel (gov.na) or Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (nammic.com.na). 

Similarly, the Pork Market Share Promotion Scheme is a quantitative measure that aims to promote local pig producers and protect the domestic pork industry against import competition. Under the scheme local producers offer carcasses to importers at a monthly pork ceiling price as determined by the LLPB. Importers are required to procure locally first and build up an import quota to be used for importing pork. Details and procedures to import/export these products can be obtained from  SOP for Pork Marketing Promotion Scheme.pdf (nammic.com.na)

The Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPD) of Namibia is responsible for issuing  import/export permits for controlled live animals and products thereof. Livestock export permits are available at the following agents: Agra, Karoo-Osche, Kaap Agri, Namboer, marketing officers at Ongwediva and Rundu, Windhoek Livestock Auctioneers and Namibia Livestock Auctioneers. LLPB head office does not issue livestock export permits unless the exporter comes from an area where there is no agent, or the exporter is not a registered.

LLPBN standard operating procedures for export and import of livestock and livestock products can be obtained here 

For some products that have tariff rate quota (TRQ) restrictions under the SADC/EU-EPA, SACUM/UK EPA and SACU, importers should obtain a rebate permit/TRQ permits from the Ministry of Agriculture at DPBD.PERMITS@mawlr.gov.na. Once that permit is obtained they should apply for an exemption. Details can be obtained from legalservices@namra.org.na. After approval they should obtain an exemption code from Asycuda  at  aysudaworld@namra.org.na 

Livestock export permits requirements:

  1. Completed LLPB permit application.
  2. The proof of payment of the standard value of the animals to be exported should be  attached.
  3. Veterinary import permit of the importing country.
  4. The permit is then issued and handed over to the exporter.
  5. Permit accompanies the consignment to the border of exit.
  6. Permit is sent back to Windhoek for further processes.

Livestock import permit requirements:

  1. Completed Meat Board permit application.
  2. Veterinary import permit of the importing country.
  3. Livestock Improvement permit from the Registrar of Livestock.
  4. Proof of levy payment.
  5. Authorisation letter from the Namibia Stud Breeders Association (in case of stud animals)
  6. Permit accompanies the consignment to the border of entry.
  7. Permit is sent back to Windhoek for further processes.

Meat and meat products export permit requirements:

  1. Completed Meat Board permit application.
  2. Veterinary import permit of the importing country.
  3. Completed LLP Board application.
  4. There are no levies payable for the export of meat and meat products.
  5. Permit is issued and handed over to the exporter.
  6. Exporter sends permit to the point of loading of the consignment.
  7. Permit accompanies consignment to the border.
  8. Border sends permit back to Windhoek.

Meat and meat products import permit requirements:

  1. Proof of payment of levies for the importers without account numbers.
  2. A pro-forma invoice of the commodities to be imported is required to determine the levies payable.
  3. Completed LLP Board application form and the veterinary import health attestation certificate.
  4. Permit is issued and handed over to the importer.
  5. Importer sends permit to the point of loading of the consignment.
  6. Permit accompanies consignment to the border.
  7. Border sends permit back to Windhoek.

In-transit meat and meat or livestock permits requirements:

  1. Proof of payment of in-transit handling fees or levies.
  2. Completed in-transit application and in-transit veterinary permit required.
  3. Permit issued and handed over to the in-transit permit holder or agent.
  4. Permit sent to the country of origin of products.
  5. In transit permit, or agent presents permit to Meat Board staff at point of entry alongwith bills of landings, customs declarations and veterinary transit permits.
  6. Staff issue a transit receipt and hand original to the driver with joint inspection certificate of Veterinary, LLP Board and Customs to the driver who will transit with the consignment.
  7. All border stakeholder seals consignment and documentary communication is sent to the export border.
  8. Point of exit verifies the seals and documents of truck with physical documents from driver and those sent by mail.
  9. Permit with copies of  other documents are sent back to Windhoek.
  10. Invoices are made and sent to permit holder or agents for payment (if not done in advance); or recoup the cost with invoice (if payments were done in advance).

Special-transit meat and meat products requirements

  1. Completed application for special transit
  2. Goods must only be intended for storage in the country to which the special transit permit applies
  3. Veterinary permit for transiting goods to the foreign storage facility must accompany the application form
  4. Goods may notleave the special transit destination for a final destination without a substantive MBN export permit

Further information is available from the LLP Board website at https://nammic.com.na

b. Trade in Agronomic and Horticultural Products

The Namibian Horticulture Market Share Promotion (MSP) Scheme aims to increase local production of fruit and vegetables (currently 16 products) for import substitution purposes. Under the scheme, importers of fresh horticulture produce are required to source a minimum percentage of their products from Namibian producers before a permit is granted for imports. Top crops currently contributing to the MSP basket are potatoes, onions, butternuts, carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, English cucumbers, watermelons and sweet melons. Details and import/export procedures to apply to the scheme can be obtained from Market Share Promotion | Horticulture services | Namibia Agronomic Board (nab.com.na)

Imports of controlled grains. Imports of controlled grains for commercial use or human consumption require an import permit issued by the NAB and the MAWLR. The import restrictions also apply to wheat flour and only the raw forms may be imported and, in most cases, only specialised wheat flour. Details and import/export procedures to apply the scheme can be obtained from  Grain Marketing Mechanism | Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB).

The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) is responsible for issuing all permits for controlled agronomic and horticultural products. List of controlled and non-controlled agronomic and horticultural products can be obtained from the NAB. Permits can be obtained from the NAB head office via electronic or non-electronic channels. New clients have to register to access the online permit application and receive permits electronically or non-electronically. Import permits at the border posts are issued to small-scale importers only.

For some products that have tariff rate quota (TRQ) restrictions under the SADC/EU-EPA, SACUM/UK EPA and SACU, importers should obtain a rebate permit/TRQ permits from the Ministry of Agriculture at DPBD.PERMITS@mawlr.gov.na. Once that permit is obtained, they should apply for an exemption. Details can be obtained from legalservices@namra.org.na. After approval, they should obtain an exemption code from Asycuda at  aysudaworld@namra.org.na

Import permits:

Import permits are issued for all controlled and non-controlled agronomic and horticultural products in the following categories:

  1. Animal feed import permit: Issued for grain feeds which include yellow maize, white maize feed grade, soybeans and sunflower, etc., which can be either in their raw or primary processed form.
  2. Controlled grain imports: Issued to registered millers for the importation of white maize, wheat and pearl millet (mahangu) grains.
  3. No importation of maize meal, wheat flour, and pearl millet flour shall be allowed in Namibia, unless such products cannot be manufactured or produced by Namibian millers.
  4. Special import permit: Issued to registered horticulture traders for the importation of controlled horticultural products (fresh/chilled whole or cut fruits and vegetables); potatoes, onions, cabbages, butternuts, tomatoes, carrots, green peppers, English cucumbers, sweet potatoes, beetroots, gem squashes, watermelons, sweet melons and pumpkins.
  5. Mixed fruit and vegetables import permits: Issued to registered horticulture traders for the importation of controlled products.
  6. Other import permits: Issued for non-gazetted crops and products such as flowers, nursery plants, dried fruits and nuts, barley, rice, planting material, sorghum, animal feeds (sunflower, soybeans, barley, oats, rye) and dry beans, for statistics purposes.

Export permits and Export taxes:

Export permits are issued for the exportation of all controlled agronomic and non-controlled agronomic and horticultural products meant for immediate use, including animal feed.

Export taxes rates applicable on some agricultural exports can be found here

Transit permits:

Transit permits are issued for all controlled and non-controlled agronomic and horticultural products,

3) Agriculture Trade Procedures in Summary 

  1. Obtain an import/export permit from the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT). For enquiries regarding import/export requirements: Phone: +264 61 2837322
  2. Obtain a Rules of Origin Certificate in case of preferential market access under specific trading arrangements from the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA): Phone: +264 61 2092047/ 2060
  3. Obtain import/export permit from the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) for controlled agronomic products: Phone: +264 61 379500 or email: nabdesk@nab.com.na
  4. Obtain a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR). Phone: +264 61 208 7111/ 7649.
  5. For customs clearance of importation/exportation of goods complete the necessary documentation from Customs and Excise Offices of the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA): Phone: +26461 2092047/2060.

Detailed import, export and transit rules and regulations for agronomic and horticultural products are available at: https://www.nab.com.na

More general information is available from the Agricultural Trade Forum . Enquiries: https://www.atf.org.na/; Tel: +264 61 379 508