Importation of Plants, Plant Products and Propagating Material

Description:

In terms of Section 11 of the Agricultural Pest Act 1973 (Act 3 of 1973) “No person shall import or cause to be imported into the Republic- (a)(b)(c)(d) except upon a written permit of the Minister” This Legislation is currently under revision and will soon be replace by new legislation. 

Target Group or Beneficiaries:  Anybody who is importing plants, plant products and propagating material. Permit cost N$100.

Procedure:

Depending on the type of material to be imported, the importer is required to have the following documents:

1. An import permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and rural Development (Phytosanitary Unit) on which the import/plant health requirements will be stated. These requirements will state the prohibitions, restrictions and additional declarations with regard to pre-shipment procedures (including treatment) to which plant material must comply before being allowed into Namibia. This permit does not exempt the importer from any other law.

2. All plants, plant material or propagating material must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin/exporting country in full adherence to the requirements set out in the permit. 

3. Application for an import permit must be done at least 14 days in advance of the expected date of entry into Namibia on the prescribed application form available at this office.

4. Upon arrival at the entry point into Namibia, all plant material must be declared. Diseased or insect infested plant material, irrespective of the value will be destroyed or shipped back to the country of origin at the owner’s cost. The phytosanitary requirements depends on the commodity and the purpose (planting, human consumption animal feeding etc)

PROCEDURES FOR THE EXPORT OF ANY PLANTS, PLANT PRODUCTS OR PROPAGATING MATERIAL.

Depending on the type of material to be exported the exporter is required to have the following documents:

1. A permit from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in case of protected/endangered species in Namibia. Trade in or the movement of endangered species is prohibited unless under CITES certificate. 

2. An import permit from the Importing country ( receiving ) on which the import conditions will be stipulated (Optional)

3. A Phytosanitary certificate (Export permit) issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development if required by the importing country. (Application to be submitted at least 7 days prior to dispatching.