Trade Measures and Regulations

Anyone who wants to trade or transport species listed under CITES must apply to the CITES Office using the provided form at least five working days before the activity.

Anyone who imports a prescribed animal into Namibia must maintain a detailed register of the animal at its location. This register must be updated within seven days of the animal's arrival, kept accurate and legible, available for inspection, and preserved for at least 10 years.

Anyone planning to export polished diamonds of a specified weight from Namibia must notify the Minister at least 14 days in advance. The Minister may examine the diamonds within this period to confirm they are polished. If confirmed, the diamonds must be sealed before export. If the Minister does not examine the diamonds within 14 days, they can be exported without examination or sealing. Violating these regulations can result in a fine of up to N$1,000,000, up to 20 years in prison, or both.

Anyone authorized to handle wildlife specimens under CITES must report their actions to the CITES Office within 14 days, and the Minister can require permit holders to keep records and report on the management of the wildlife.

Any person wishing to apply for import permits for specific Schedule 3 or Schedule 4 substances must submit their application to the Permanent Secretary using the specified form. The Permanent Secretary may deny the permit if they believe the applicant cannot adequately store the substances, if the annual import quota has been met or exceeded, or if a suitable quality of the substance is already available in Namibia. Permits for importing these substances can only be granted after consulting with the Council and must adhere to specific conditions outlined in the regulations, ensuring that no deviations occur from the permit details during importation.

Any duties or taxes paid on goods exported to the zone from Namibia are not refundable, and goods removed from the zone to Namibia are considered imported and subject to relevant taxes.

An officer may deny the removal of goods from a State warehouse until proof is provided of lawful entitlement, compliance with import, export, or transit laws, and payment of all related charges.

An application under section 21(1) must be submitted on the approved form and include acceptable identification, the appropriate fees, a customs activity number for motor vehicle importers, and any additional documents required by the Minister.

An importer or responsible person must ensure that regulated articles in transit through Namibia are not removed or transferred without the approval of a plant quarantine officer and that all related requirements are met. Violating these rules can result in a fine up to N$20,000 or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both.

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.