Act on the Import and Export of Goods, 2003 (No. 58). Country/Territory Suriname Document type Legislation Date 2003 Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Staastblad van Suriname, pp. 1-18. Subject Agricultural & rural development, Food & nutrition, Cultivated plants Keyword Agricultural commodities International trade Food quality control/food safety Pesticides Certification Plant protection Geographical area Amazonia, Americas, Latin America and the Caribbean, North Atlantic, Small Island Developing States, South America Entry into force notes Enters into force on to be established by the President. Abstract The Act aims at facilitating trade in goods and services by the elimination of trade barriers and preferences. The Minister of Trade and Industry is the responsible authority under the Act. In principle, importation and exportation of goods is free. However, the Act provides a “negative list” of goods divided into three categories, i.e., 1) goods as to which the import and export is prohibited 2) goods that require a licence and 3) goods that require special treatment. Concerning the special treatment, the Act refers – amongst others – to sanitary and phytosanitary certificates for import and export. According to the explanatory memorandum, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Trade and Industry are responsible for establishing a sanitary and phytosanitary service, which should be responsible for the issuance of certificates. The Act also foresees a licensing system for the import and export of certain goods. Applications must be filed at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Act provides for a detailed procedure, including the possibility of appeal. The old negative list under the former Ordinance on Import and Export explicitly mentioned pesticides as one of the goods for which an import/export license was required. If pesticides are to be included in the new negative list as well, there will be an overlap with the Pesticides Act, where any manufacturer, importer or trader must request the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries permission to use of any pesticide. The Act is adopted subsequent to Suriname’s membership of WTO, and of a number of other international organizations and agreements. Full text English References - Legislation Implemented by Decree Negative List, 2003 (No. 58 of 2003). Legislation | Suriname | 2003 Keyword: Ozone layer, Food quality control/food safety, Timber, Authorization/permit, International trade, Animal by-products, Drugs, Animal health, Pesticides, Planting material/seeds, Offences/penalties, Plant production, Pollution control, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste, Waste management, Endangered species, Protection of species, Wild fauna, Wild flora, Trade in species Source: FAO, FAOLEX