Trade Measures and Regulations

To apply for a permit to import, supply, or possess armaments, a person must complete Form Pol 573 and submit it to an authorized person. The application must include:

1. A report from the officer in charge of the local police station, commenting on the applicant’s suitability.
2. A report from the Chief of Explosives, detailing the nature of the armaments and the handling and storage facilities.
3. Any additional information required by regulation 5(2).

To import any animal, animal product, or restricted material into Namibia, a person must have a valid import permit and follow the conditions specified in the permit. Even with a permit, if the item is known or suspected to be infected and the permit does not specifically allow importation in such a condition, the item cannot be imported.

Applications for import, export, and transit permits for controlled horticultural products must be submitted to the authorized NAB official through the online system or manually, including required information and documents, and cannot be obtained at port of entry offices.

The Controller can open and inspect any container or package suspected of being imported, landed, or exported from Namibia in the absence of the importer or exporter, but must first attempt to locate and notify them to allow them the opportunity to be present during the inspection.

Anyone who violates import or export regulations, fails to comply with permit conditions, or provides false information, can be fined up to N$20 000 or imprisoned for up to two years, or both. Additionally, the court may confiscate the goods involved in the offense, unless the owner was unaware of the violation.

An exporter can file a written objection to an assessment or re-assessment with the Commissioner within 90 days of the assessment date. If the objection is late, the Commissioner will only consider it if there are valid reasons for the delay; otherwise, the assessment is final.

No one is allowed to import or export explosives without a permit from an inspector.

The Minister is empowered to make regulations concerning the control and management of activities related to methylated spirit, including its manufacture, import, export, and sale. These regulations also cover the licensing of factories and individuals, as well as the maintenance of records for these activities.

To combat illicit trade in tobacco products, the regulation stipulates that no person may sell or import tobacco products unless the packaging includes specific information. This information must state "Sales only allowed in Namibia" and "Manufactured in 'name of country'," displayed in Helvetica upper-case letters in black on a white background, covering at least 60% of either side panel of the package. The products must also comply with additional regulations. For tobacco products in transit through Namibia, the packaging must include details about the shipment route, destination, final selling point, point of departure, consignee, and a batch or serial number. Additionally, a consignment note or similar document containing this information must accompany the products.