Guyana - Trade BarriersGuyana - Trade Barriers
Guyana generally requires an import license for meat, fruit, beet sugar, wheat flour, rice, sugar, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, petroleum products, aircraft, helicopters, spacecraft, firearms, and military weapons. Licenses may also be required for other imports that might be a threat to health, safety, the environment, or national security. The Department of Commerce of the Ministry of Business administers import licensing. Applications for import licenses for some products require the prior clearance of other government agencies, significantly increasing the time required for approval. For example, the Ministry of Health must grant approval before import licenses are granted for certain medical products, and the Ministry of Public Security and the Commissioner of Police must approve firearms imports. Licensing is automatic after ministry approval.
Products under import licensing restrictions are not subject to quotas. Any importer is eligible for a license, provided they meet certain requirements, regardless of whether they produce like products. The granting of licenses is not dependent on prior utilization. There are no regulations or restrictions regarding the utilization or non-utilization of licenses. Import license procedures and applications are available on-line through the Ministry of Business.