Following the sanitary and health-related provisions of the Food Act of 2005, The Gambia still requires import certification for food products.
A Codex Alimentarius quality control import certificate must be included with every import of an animal, marine life, plant, their products, or processed food having an animal or plant origin. Additionally, no food item may be imported into Gambia without a certificate from the manufacturer stating that the product was manufactured under any applicable standards. Also, a code of conduct or, in the absence of such standards or codes of conduct, any international standard established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. A certificate from the exporting nation’s government stating that the product’s sale there would not violate any laws.
Rice imports require phytosanitary certificates from the country of origin’s national plant protection service as well as fumigation certificates from the exporting company or another approved company. The Minister of Health has the authority to issue regulations at any time stating that food products cannot be imported unless they have been produced following certain standards.
Import tariffs
The ECOWAS Common Customs Tariff, which is based on the tariff initially used by WAEMU/UEOMA, is in use in The Gambia. There are four rates in the tariff at the moment: zero, 5%, 10%, and 20%. Based on the harmonization of national lists submitted by members and of national exceptions to the ECOWAS common tariff, the member states of ECOWAS are negotiating the introduction of a fifth band, at 35%.
The following categories make up the tariff structure:
- category 0 for basic social goods (zero rated);
- category 1 for necessities, raw materials, capital equipment, and specific inputs (rate 5%);
- category 2 for inputs and intermediate products (rate 10%);
- category 3 for final consumer goods and other products n.e.s. (rate 20%); and
- category 4 for specific goods for economic development (rate 35%).
The Gambia has submitted two national lists to ECOWAS as part of the negotiations, the first is for goods that it wants to be included in Category 4. The second is “List B” of national goods that the Gambia wants lower rates than the common tariff to be applied to. Also, inputs to agriculture, fisheries, or other industries, or as basic food needs for the population.
Exports
It is possible for several government agencies, such as the National Environment Agency, the National Drug Agency, the Food Safety and Quality Authority, the Phytosanitary Agency, the Fisheries Department, the Forestry Department, the Gambia Police Force, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, the Gambia Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Central Bank of The Gambia, amongst other organizations, to issue licenses or certificates necessary for the exportation of particular goods.
What export processes are involved
- An export declaration may be made by an exporter or an agency.
- Export clearance processes are required if someone wants to export something for their use.
- Until customs clearance is complete, goods traveling out of The Gambia by air, land, or sea must be kept in a customs area.
- The shipping or aircraft business provides a manifest to Customs when goods arrive at the port of exit.
- The exporter or agent must request the required paperwork from the carrier.
- The merchandise will be freed from customs custody for shipment.
- A single administrative document (SAD) is what, exactly?
- The importer or agent declares this information to customs using this paper.
- The flowchart for the customs documentation process;
- Before clearance, goods entering The Gambia must be under customs control.
- The importer or agent must submit a declaration to customs.
- The declaration is delivered for payment, documentation, and verification.
- Upon completion of all formalities, the goods will be freed from customs custody.
