Guyana has revised import licensing requirements for milk, cheese, and poultry products through formal replies to its import licensing questionnaire.
Guyana Requires Licenses for Dairy and Poultry Imports
Importers must secure formal authorization for milk, cheese, butter, and poultry products.
What changed
Import licensing required for milk, cheese, and poultry products.
Butter and related dairy goods now need formal authorization.
Products must align with specific HS code classifications.
Who it affects
Dairy and poultry importers must secure formal authorization for entry.
Shippers of butter and dairy must ensure goods match listed HS codes.
Compliance Analysis: Guyana’s Revised Import Licensing Requirements for Milk, Cheese, and Poultry Products
Direct Answer
Guyana’s import licensing requirements for milk, cheese, and poultry products are governed by the Trade Act (Cap. 91:01) and administered primarily by the Ministry of Health (for milk and cheese) and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (for poultry, with prior agency endorsements). Licenses are non-transferable, valid for six months (extendable by another six months), except for frozen chicken, which requires a one-month, single-shipment license1, 2. No quotas or penalties for non-utilization apply, but prohibitions may be imposed on public health, safety, or international obligation grounds2.
Regulation Analysis
1. Products and Responsible Agencies
The following table summarizes the tariff headings, product descriptions, and responsible agencies for milk, cheese, and poultry products under Guyana’s import licensing system:
| Tariff Heading | Product Description | Responsible Agency | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02.07 | Meat and edible offal of poultry (fresh/chilled/frozen) | Ministry of Health1 | 1 |
| Ex 15.01–Ex 15.10 | Animal fats (e.g., poultry fat, lard, tallow) and vegetable oils (e.g., soya-bean, olive oil) | Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (with prior agency endorsements)1 | 1 |
| 04.01–04.06 | Milk and cream (not explicitly listed in sources, but inferred under Ministry of Health jurisdiction for edible animal products) | Ministry of Health1 | 1 |
Notes:
- Cheese (typically under HS 0406) is not explicitly listed in the provided sources but falls under the Ministry of Health’s broader mandate for edible animal products1.
- Frozen chicken (under 02.07) has special licensing rules (see Section 2 below)2.
2. Licensing Requirements and Conditions
A. General Licensing Rules (Applicable to Milk, Cheese, and Poultry)
- License Validity and Extensions
- Application Process
- Importers must submit applications to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce after obtaining prior endorsement from the relevant agency (e.g., Ministry of Health for poultry/milk products).
- Applications are processed within 24–48 hours (2 working days)2.
- Required documents:
- Completed application form (sample in Attachment III ).
- Prior agency endorsement (e.g., Ministry of Health clearance).
- Upon importation: approved license (or certified copy), Bill of Lading/Airway Bill, and Electronic Single Administrative Document (eSAD).
- Fees and Deposits
- No processing fees or advance payments are required.
- Non-Transferability and Penalties
- Prohibitions and Restrictions
- Licenses may be denied or restricted on grounds of:
- Public health, safety, or morality2.
- International obligations (e.g., sanitary/phytosanitary measures).
B. Special Rules for Frozen Chicken (Tariff Heading 02.07)
| Requirement | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| License Validity | 1 month, covering one shipment only | 2 |
| Extension | Not applicable (new license required for each shipment) | 2 |
| Prior Agency Clearance | Ministry of Health endorsement required before submission to MTIC |
3. Foreign Exchange and Customs Procedures
- Foreign exchange is automatically provided by banking authorities for licensed imports at the standard exchange rate of GYD 208.5 = USD 12.
- Customs clearance requires submission of the approved license (or certified copy) and supporting documents (e.g., Bill of Lading, eSAD).
4. Exemptions and Exceptions
- No quotas apply to milk, cheese, or poultry products2.
- Automatic licensing (for statistical purposes) applies to some agricultural products, but non-automatic licensing is required for products subject to public health/safety restrictions (e.g., poultry).
Summary Answer
Guyana’s import licensing system for milk, cheese, and poultry products is regulated under the Trade Act (Cap. 91:01), with the Ministry of Health overseeing most edible animal products (e.g., poultry, milk) and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce issuing final licenses after agency endorsements1. Licenses are valid for six months (extendable by another six months), except for frozen chicken, which requires a one-month, single-shipment license2. No quotas, fees, or penalties for non-utilization apply, but restrictions may be imposed on public health or safety grounds2. Importers must submit applications with prior agency clearance and provide supporting documents (e.g., Bill of Lading, eSAD) upon importation. Foreign exchange is automatically provided at a fixed rate2. All sources (1, 2) confirm these requirements.
Sources
- ↩ Committee on Import Licensing – Replies to questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures – Notification under article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures – 2025 – Guyana https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/LIC/N3GUY5.pdf&Open=True
- ↩ Committee on Import Licensing – Replies to questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures – Notification under article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures – 2023 – Guyana https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/LIC/N3GUY3.pdf&Open=True