New levies on fruit and veg imports
Imports of cut or frozen vegetables and fruits will be subject to new permits and levies from
1 August.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has announced new regulations for imports of fruit and vegetables.
The NAB is mandated to regulate horticultural products imported into Namibia in accordance with the Agronomic Industry Act.
The new regulations are in line with the Market Share Promotion (MSP) scheme, aimed at stimulating local production of horticultural products. The NAB says because of a noticeable increase in the importation of primary processed fruit and vegetables that can be produced in Namibia, it has approved several measures to be implemented from 1 August. All importers of fresh/chilled-cut fruit and vegetable products (single or mixed) will be required to obtain an import permit from the NAB issued per consignment. There are no permit fees applicable.
Import levies
These products will be subjected to an import levy of 5% and a trader levy of 1.4% calculated at landed cost.
According to the NAB, import permits for these products will only be issued to registered horticulture importers and traders.
“Therefore, any company that would like to import the above-aforementioned products must first register with the NAB before applying for import permits,” the NAB said.
Furthermore, all importers of frozen fruit and vegetables will be required to obtain an import permit from the NAB.
There is a permit fee of N$45 per permit but the importation of frozen fruit and vegetables do not form part of the MSP scheme and no levies are applicable at this stage.
Importers of frozen fruit and vegetable products will automatically be registered upon applying for a permit.
“Therefore, all import permits for fresh/chilled-cut and frozen fruit and vegetable products will be issued per consignment and subject to a validity period of 90 days.
“However, importation of fresh/chilled-cut fruit and vegetables will not be allowed during the closed border period.” Each permit issued for these product categories must be accompanied with a supplier invoice indicating the kilograms and monetary value of the specific products being imported.
From 1 August, NAB inspectors will randomly inspect all cooler trucks carrying fresh produce, and any non-compliance will be handled in terms of the existing punitive measures for illegal importation.
WINDHOEK
The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has announced new regulations for imports of fruit and vegetables.
The NAB is mandated to regulate horticultural products imported into Namibia in accordance with the Agronomic Industry Act.
The new regulations are in line with the Market Share Promotion (MSP) scheme, aimed at stimulating local production of horticultural products. The NAB says because of a noticeable increase in the importation of primary processed fruit and vegetables that can be produced in Namibia, it has approved several measures to be implemented from 1 August. All importers of fresh/chilled-cut fruit and vegetable products (single or mixed) will be required to obtain an import permit from the NAB issued per consignment. There are no permit fees applicable.
Import levies
These products will be subjected to an import levy of 5% and a trader levy of 1.4% calculated at landed cost.
According to the NAB, import permits for these products will only be issued to registered horticulture importers and traders.
“Therefore, any company that would like to import the above-aforementioned products must first register with the NAB before applying for import permits,” the NAB said.
Furthermore, all importers of frozen fruit and vegetables will be required to obtain an import permit from the NAB.
There is a permit fee of N$45 per permit but the importation of frozen fruit and vegetables do not form part of the MSP scheme and no levies are applicable at this stage.
Importers of frozen fruit and vegetable products will automatically be registered upon applying for a permit.
“Therefore, all import permits for fresh/chilled-cut and frozen fruit and vegetable products will be issued per consignment and subject to a validity period of 90 days.
“However, importation of fresh/chilled-cut fruit and vegetables will not be allowed during the closed border period.” Each permit issued for these product categories must be accompanied with a supplier invoice indicating the kilograms and monetary value of the specific products being imported.
From 1 August, NAB inspectors will randomly inspect all cooler trucks carrying fresh produce, and any non-compliance will be handled in terms of the existing punitive measures for illegal importation.
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