The Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Home Affairs and Agriculture is advising all commercial and non-commercial importers that a Permit is now required for the importation of all animal or plant products.
As of May 1, 2013, importers of products that fall under rules governing the importation of Controlled Commodities and Regulated Articles MUST apply for a permit prior to importing their goods. This requirement is in accordance with Part 5, Section 34 of both the Plant and Animal Health Ordinances 2012.
Under Part 5, section 34 (3) of both the Plant and Animal Health Ordinances 2012 “A person who imports, or attempts to import, a regulated article in contravention of this section commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for 2 years, or both.”
Import permits are integral to the Department of Agriculture’s biosecurity measures that seek to protect and safeguard the health of the people, plants, animals, and environment of the TCI.
In keeping with the Plant Health and Animal Health Ordinance (2012), The Turks and Caicos Islands Plant and Animal Health Divisions have conducted stakeholder sensitisation fora in Providenciales and Grand Turk to advise key stakeholders of the rules and regulations governing the importation of plant and animal products.
The implementation comes seven months after the November 1, 2012 enactment of the new Ordinances giving stakeholders time to familiarise themselves with the new processes. Importation of Controlled Commodities and Regulated Articles into the Turks and Caicos Islands without an import permit is an illegal importation and goods can be subject to seizure and or destruction.
