Decision No. 0451/MOIC.DIMEX on the Procedures for Timber Import

Authentic in Lao only Lao People’s Democratic Republic Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity Ministry of Industry and Commerce No 0451/MOIC.DIMEX Vientiane Capital, date 01 March 2012 Decision on the Procedure for Timber Import − Pursuant to the Government’s Decree on the Import and Export of Goods No. 114/GoL, dated 6 April 2011; and − Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decree on the Goods Import Licensing Procedures No. 180/PM, dated 07 July 2009. The Minister of Industry and Commerce hereby issues the following Decision: Section 1 General Provisions Article 1. Purpose This Decision sets out procedures for timber import in the Lao PDR. This Decision has no purpose to restrict the quantity or value of importation, but only for statistical and import monitoring purposes through the automatic import licensing regime. Article 2. Definition of Terms In this Decision “Timber” means logs, trunks, barks and rough-processed timber as defined in the Lao PDR’s Customs Nomenclature as follows: 4403, 4407.10 – 4407.28 and 0601. Article 3. Scope of Application This Decision applies to the import of timber in the Lao PDR. Section 2 Timber Import Licensing Procedures Article 4. Rights and Requirements for Importation of Timber Any individual, entity and organization located in or outside the Lao PDR has the rights to import timber in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of the Lao PDR. Article 5. Application for Timber License The import of timber shall obtain an import license from the Department of Import and Export, Ministry of Industry and Commerce. 1 2 Article 6. Required Documents for Timber Import License Application Documents required for applying for a timber import license are as follows: 1. Application for timber import license; 2. Copy of the following: Valid Enterprise Registration Certificate or Concession Registration Certificate (for enterprises located in the Lao PDR); or Valid entreprise registration certificate issued by the competent authority of the relevant country (for enterprises located outside the Lao PDR). 3. Export license from exporting country (if available); 4. Log list. Any documents in foreign language shall be accompanied with its Lao translation as certified by the Notary Office of Lao PDR. Article 7. Timber Import License The issuance, modification and term of timber import licenses shall follow the Goods Import Licensing Procedures No. 180/PM, dated 07 July 2009. The import license is not transferrable. Article 8. Fees and Charges Fees and charges for the issuance and modification of timber import licenses shall follow the Presidential Edict No. 03/P, dated 19 November 2008 on “Fees and Services Charges”. Article 9. Provision of Documents upon Actual Importation Upon actual importation, importers shall provide the following documents to the customs authority: 1. Timber import license as issued under this Decision; and 2. Other required documents as per customs regulations. Section 3 Final Provisions Article 10. Implementation Department of Import and Export shall actively coordinate with relevant authorities to implement this Decision accordingly and effectively. Article 11. Effectiveness This Decision shall be effective 30 days after the date of signature. Minister Of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, [Signed and sealed] Dr. Nam Viyaketh