NAMIBIA – The government of Namibia through the Namibian Agronomic Board has introduced new regulations aimed to curb importation of fruits and vegetables that can be easily produced in the country, in bid to encourage local production.
According to The Namibian, the new measures to take effect from 1 August 2020 include import levies, trade levies, registration of importers and acquisition of import permits.
NAB horticulture market development manager, Emilie Abraham said the regulations are in line with the Market Share Promotion (MSP) scheme to stimulate local production and the trade of horticultural products in the country.
Imported fresh/chilled fruit and vegetable products will be subjected to an import levy of 5% and a trader levy of 1.4% calculated at landed cost.
All importers of fresh/chilled, cut fruit and vegetable products (single line or mixed) will be required to obtain an import permit from the NAB, issued per consignment, in line with MSP requirements.
The board added that importers of frozen fruit and vegetable products will also be required to obtain an import permit from NAB, and, importation of these products will be subjected to a permit fee of N$45.
However, importation of all frozen fruit and vegetable products will not form part of the MSP scheme and no levies are applicable, at this stage.
The manager said that the import permits will only be issued to registered horticulture importers/traders.
“For those companies wishing to import the fresh produce, they will be required to register with NAB before applying for import permits,” Abraham said.
In addition all import permits for will be issued per consignment and valid for a 90-day period.
Each permit for these products must be accompanied with a supplier’s invoice indicating the kilograms and monetary value of the specific products being imported.
The developments come as Namibia temporarily discontinue white maize imports from June 1 and Pear millet from July, until the local harvest has been taken up and partially milled.
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