The MOC releases new list of goods that require an import license

For approximately 4,000 types of goods, import licenses are required in order to import these products into Myanmar as per the new Notification 68/2020, dated 22 October 2020, (“Notification 68”) issued by the Ministry of Commerce (“MOC”). Notification 68 has revoked the MOC’s previous notification 22/2019, dated 21 May 2019 (“Notification 22”) regarding the list of goods that require an import license.

With the purpose of trade facilitation in line with the World Trade Organization’s agreement and to embrace import liberalization measures, the MOC lifted the requirement to obtain an import license for approximately 600 types of goods in 2013. In keeping with such liberalization measures, the MOC removes additional types of goods that require an import license every year. The most updated list was published in Notification 68 where 689 additional items have been removed from list of goods that require an import license compared to the previous Notification 22.

However, in addition to reducing the number of goods that require an import license, Notification 68 also added back certain items that were not listed in Notification 22, including recovered waste and paper, garneted stock of wool, and toys, in accordance with relevant departments’ requests. To obtain an import license for goods that were not included in Notification 22 but are now listed in Notification 68, it will be required to apply to the MOC within 90 days from the issuance of this Notification 68. The goods referred to above will only be allowed to be imported into Myanmar once the import license has been obtained.

Our team is able to assist with the application for an import license. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.