Import licence

An import licence is a government authorization required before specified goods may be brought into a country for free circulation. Licensing applies to quota-controlled products, agricultural goods, firearms, hazardous chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and CITES-listed species, and may be automatic, used only for monitoring, or non-automatic, used to administer a restriction or quota. The WTO Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures disciplines how members operate these systems so they remain transparent and do not unduly restrict trade. Customs verify the licence against the import declaration, and goods presented without a required licence are refused entry or seized.