The Gambia Member profile
Status of notification in the reporting periods
2010-2012
2012-2014
2014-2016
2016-2018
2018-2020
2020-2022
2022-2024
2024-2026
Notification information
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The Gambia
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04/10/2023
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2012-2014, 2014-2016, 2016-2018, 2018-2020, 2020-2022, 2022-2024
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The Gambia
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22/09/2021
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2018-2020
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Types of restrictions
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 HS chapters notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 WTO justifications notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 Non-WTO commitments notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
QR details
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Trade policy review
Latest Trade Policy Review (Report by the WTO Secretariat): WT/TPR/S/365/Rev.1
A. Import prohibitions and restrictions and import licensing
3.42.
Prohibited imports are listed in the Eighth Schedule (Part A) of the Customs and Excise Act, 2010. Import prohibitions are imposed on the grounds of, inter alia, public health, public order and safety, public morality, and international obligations.[90] Goods subject to import prohibition include false or counterfeit money, indecent or obscene articles, matches containing white phosphorous, articles deceptively marked with Gambian coats of arms, advertisements for cures for cancer, tuberculosis or venereal/sexual diseases or complaints[91], firearms and ammunition etc., any organic phosphorous compound, and asbestos in all forms. The Act prohibits importation of goods that do not meet Gambian Standards set by the Gambia Standards Bureau, although all Gambian Standards are deemed to be voluntary (Section 3.3.3). In addition, skimmed milk, and "exhausted" tea are prohibited from entering the country, pursuant to the Customs and Excise Act, 2010.
3.43.
It is difficult to establish an exhaustive list of products subject to import prohibition (or restriction). In 2015, a ban on imports of plastic bags and related plastic materials was introduced. In the past, bans were periodically placed on imports of potatoes and onions to protect local producers at the harvest time.
3.44.
The Gambia is a signatory of the Rotterdam Convention and the Stockholm Convention, under which imports are prohibited for DNOC, parathion, dustable powders of benomyl, thiram and carbofuram, ethylene dichloride and oxide, and monocrotophos and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed in Annex A.[92]
3.45.
Importation of some prohibited products may be permitted if certain conditions are met. Such products are listed as "restricted imports" in Part B of the Eighth Schedule of the Customs and Excise Act, 2010. According to the authorities, import restrictions may be implemented for reasons of public safety, environment, and revenue management. Import restrictions cover products of, inter alia, tear gas (and other similar substances), potable spirits, denatured spirits, postal franking machines, game animal traps, used motor vehicles, and live fish (except "live fish indigenous to The Gambia"). Most products subject to import restriction require an import permit granted by the relevant line ministry prior to importation.
3.46.
While permits are required to import certain products subject to import restriction, The Gambia has notified the WTO that it does not maintain an import licensing system.[93]
B. Export prohibitions and restrictions
3.55.
Similar to import prohibitions, goods prohibited from export are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Customs and Excise Act. The Schedule contains a broad definition, i.e. "All goods the exportation of which is prohibited under this Act or any law for the time being in force in The Gambia". Firearms and ammunition, as well as asbestos, are prohibited from exportation.
3.56.
The Act also restricts exports of rough or uncut diamonds, except under licence issued by the Minister; goods officially exported by or on behalf of the Armed Forces or the Government; and warehoused goods, goods under duty drawback, and goods for transhipment shipped in vessels of less than 250 registered tonnes.
3.57.
The Gambia imposed a ban on timber exports and re-exports in February 2017, which was lifted in May 2017.
3.58.
The Gambia does not have an export licensing regime, according to the authorities.
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.