LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU 
CONSOLIDATED EDITION 2006

Commencement: 18 June 1984

CHAPTER 176
IMPORT OF GOODS (CONTROL)

Act 19 of 1984
Act 12 of 1985
Act 2 of 1990

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

1. Interpretation
1A. Licence to import goods
2.	Minister may prohibit or restrict imports
3.	Exemption
4.	Offences
5. Forfeiture

IMPORT OF GOODS (CONTROL)

To authorize the Minister to control and prohibit the importation of certain goods into Vanuatu and to provide for matters in relation thereto.

1. Interpretation

In this Act –

"goods" means any merchandise including animals, birds and fish, any minerals and other substances and generally articles of any description;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for industry.

1A. Licence to import goods

(1) Subject to section 2, the Minister may, on application, grant a licence, in the prescribed form, authorizing the holder to import certain goods specified in the licence, into Vanuatu on such conditions as may be specified in the licence.

(2) An application for a licence under this section shall be in the prescribed form, made to the Minister and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(3) A licence shall, subject to such conditions as may be imposed, be valid for such period as shall be specified in the licence.

2. Minister may prohibit or restrict imports

(1) For the purpose of protecting and stimulating local industry the Minister may by Order either restrict or prohibit the importation of goods into Vanuatu or specified parts thereof.

(2) An Order restricting or prohibiting the importation of goods may prescribe such conditions as the Minister may consider necessary therefor.

(3) An Order restricting the importation of goods may limit the importation to prescribed categories of businesses.

3. Exemption

(1) There shall be exempt from any Order made under section 2 all goods which shall have been consigned for shipment to Vanuatu before the date of the coming into operation of that Order.

(2) In any proceedings under this Act the burden of proving that any goods are exempt from an Order shall be upon the person claiming the exemption.

4. Offences

Any person who contravenes the provisions of any Order made under this Act shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: fine of VT 100,000 or imprisonment for 6 months or both.

5. Forfeiture

Where a person is convicted of an offence under this Act the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order that any goods in relation to which the offence was committed be forfeited.

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Table of Amendments (since the Revised Edition 1988)

1A Inserted by Act 2 of 1990