How to Export to Haiti

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mport Regs.: Licenses, Registration, Documentation and Import Procedures

Local producers and importers must obtain a professional identity card that is issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MCI) for an annual fee of Gourdes 5. Before the professional identity card is issued, importers and local producers must first obtain a tax registration card and an occupation tax certificate. The tax registration card is issued by the Direction G»n»rale des ImpŸts (Directorate General of Taxes Ò DGI) for an annual fee of G300 for natural persons and G600 for legal persons. The occupation tax consists of a fixed and a variable levy. The fixed levy depends of the sector of economic activity and the group to which the commune where the activity is carried out belongs.

All imports require a customs declaration showing the customs regime to which the good is subject. Currently, there are four customs regimes. These are:

Release for Consumption: Used if goods will be sold in the local market

Transit: Used for goods that are imported and will be re-exported without leaving
customs territory

Storage: Used when importers wish to delay customs clearance and is
compulsory if an importer wishes to reship the goods

Temporary Entry: Used for goods imported for processing or use before being
exported

The customs procedures are as follows:

(1) Registration of the shipping manifest identified by its reference number
(2) Submission and registration of the customs declaration
(3) Inspection of goods
(4) Control
(5) Payment of duties and other charges

In addition to the customs declaration, the original bill of lading, the commercial invoice, and the original inspection certificate for imports subject to preshipment inspection are required for imports.

The commercial invoice must specify:
-the name of the firm
-the nature of the imported goods and their price
-export permit issued by MCI.

The bill of lading must include:
- the name of the vessel (sea freight); the identification number (air freight).
- the name of the shipping company.
- the ports of origin.
- the ports of destination.
- the complete manifest of the cargo and the volume on which the freight calculation
was based.
- the nature of the merchandise (not necessary if the merchandise is in bulk).

Under the release for consumption regime, an import notice or license, and a declaration of value must also be attached. An import notice covers all products not subject to an import license. Import licenses are issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MCI).

In an effort to simplify customs procedures, Haiti has both adopted a single declaration form (FDU) and installed a computerized customs system, ASYCUDA. ASYCUDA 2.7 is available in port and airport offices in Port-au-Prince as well as in the customs service of the Soci»t» Nationale des Parcs Industriels (SONAPI) (National Industrial Parks Company).

Licenses:
Licenses are not required for most imports. Import permits are required for pharmaceutical products and firearms