Haiti Member profile
No notifications submitted by Haiti
Trade policy review
Latest Trade Policy Review (Report by the WTO Secretariat): WT/TPR/S/327/Rev.1
A. Import prohibitions and restrictions and import licensing
3.53.
Haiti does not have any import licensing regime.[70]
3.54.
Article 251 of the Constitution prohibits the import of agricultural foodstuffs and their byproducts, except in cases of force majeure, because it is deemed that sufficient quantities are produced domestically. It also prohibits the introduction into Haiti of waste or residues of foreign origin (Article 258).
3.55.
In general, the Customs Code (Article 52) bans the import of a certain number of goods, including: counterfeit coins, banknotes or documents, and equipment used to manufacture or print them; obscene or pornographic articles; weapons of war and their ammunition (unless they are to be delivered to the Government); and narcotics and psychotropic substances (unless import is authorized by the Ministry responsible for public health).
3.56.
The import of worn clothing, bedding and footwear is forbidden in principle, but this measure is not applied. Some bans have an environmental objective. For example, since 1 August 2013, it has been forbidden to produce, import, sell or use polyethylene bags and inputs and articles in expanded polystyrene for one‑off use for food (for example, trays, cartons, bottles, sachets, cups and plates).[71] The measure has been notified to the WTO.[72]
3.57.
Some bans are temporary and are intended to deal with specific problems (Section 3.2.10). Since July 2015, all imports of flour from the Dominican Republic have had to be accompanied by an analysis certificate issued by the exporting country.[73] This measure follows on a notice concerning the discovery of a batch of contaminated imported flour.[74] The certificate has to indicate, inter alia, the percentages of any food additives in the product. A ban on the import of some products from the Dominican Republic by road is expected to come into force on 1 October 2015[75], when these products may only enter by sea or by air (except for cement) and may only be unloaded at the ports of Port‑au‑Prince and Cap‑Hatien. The measure has been adopted "in order to exercise better quality control and ensure the safety of the population".
3.58.
An authorization from the competent authorities is required for the import of certain goods. For example, ethanol imports require an import authorization issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MCI). A favourable opinion from the Ministry of Public Health and Population has to be obtained for products imported for pharmaceutical or medical purposes.
3.59.
The import of used vehicles is restricted to one vehicle per person per year. Importing a second used vehicle during the same year is punishable by a fine equivalent to twice the customs duty. Moreover, any used vehicle imported over and above a second vehicle is systematically confiscated by the State.
B. Export prohibitions and restrictions
3.75.
Most of the quantitative restrictions in force are dictated by international treaties to which Haiti is party. The authorities may take measures to restrict exports for a number of reasons, including health, safety or environmental protection. The following are among the products that may not be exported: illicit drugs; fauna and flora; fertilizer; arms and ammunition (unless prior authorization is given); knives and lethal weapons; toxic waste; counterfeit goods; and pornographic material.
3.76.
As a general rule, exports of fauna and flora products require prior authorization from the MARNDR. Some kinds of live animals belonging to endangered species (green anoles, mabuya, snails) may not be exported in order to preserve the national heritage.
3.77.
Quality controls, as well as phytosanitary and animal health measures, apply to exports of coffee, cocoa, mangoes and animal products.
WTO's environmental database (EDB)
The EDB contains environment-related measures that may qualify as QRs and therefore should be notified under the QR Decision.