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INDEX

Section 1 - General Provisions

Article 1. Purpose
Article 2. Definition of Terms
Article 3. Scope of Application

Section 2 - Timber Import Licensing Procedures

Article 4. Rights and Requirements for Importation of Timber
Article 5. Application for Timber License
Article 6. Required Documents for Timber Import License Application
Article 7. Timber Import License
Article 8. Fees and Charges
Article 9. Provision of Documents upon Actual Importation

Section 3 - Final Provisions

Article 10. Implementation
Article 11. Effectiveness

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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, dated 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. Top

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. Top

Article 3. Scope of Application

This Decision applies to the import of timber in the Lao PDR. Top

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. Top

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. Top

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. Top

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. Top

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”. Top

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. Top

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. Top

Article 11. Effectiveness

This Decision shall be effective 30 days after the date of signature. Top

Minister Of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce,

[Signed and sealed]
Dr. Nam Viyaketh