Milk and milk products

I-INTRODUCTION

In accordance with Decree n°83-808 of 03 August 1983 and Decree n˚93-312 of 11 March 1993 laying down the conditions for the exercise of professions relating to trade in animals, animal foodstuffs and animal products intended for human consumption, the exercise of the profession of importer of milk and derived products is subject to obtaining an Authorisation to Practice as an Importer of milk[1] and derived products.

This Authorisation to Practice as an Importer of Milk and Milk Products is issued to individuals and companies by the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MIRAH) / Directorate of Veterinary Services (DSV)

This prior authorisation should not be confused with the prior import authorisation, which is also issued by the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MIRAH) for each import operation of animal products or products of animal origin

It is also reminded that the import or export of any goods requires the prior obtaining of an importer/exporter code (professional or occasional) – See Legal Regimes for Imports – (See General Import Procedures of the website)

The list of products concerned is at the end of the page.

Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MIRAH)

Abidjan – Plateau

Immeuble CAISTAB, 11th floor

BP V 84 – Côte d’Ivoire

Tel: (+225) 20 22 99 30 / (+225) 20 21 34 23

http://www.ressourcesanimales.gouv.ci/

 

Direction des Services Vétérinaires (DSV)

Sous-Direction de l’Hygiène et de la Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (SDHSSA)

Abidjan – Plateau

Cité Administrative Tour C, 11th floor,

Tel: (+225) 20 21 89 72

Directorate of Veterinary Services (DSV)

Service d’Inspection et de Contrôle Sanitaires Vétérinaires en Frontières (in the customs offices at the borders including the port and airport)

 

II-AUTHORISATION TO IMPORT

 

The importation of milk and derived products is reserved for natural or legal persons who hold a licence to import milk and derived products issued by the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MIRAH) – see Decree n°93.312 of 11 March 1993 & Decree n°83.808 of 3 August 1983 & Law n°63.301 of 26 June 1963.

 

  1. Issuing procedure

In accordance with Decree n°93-312 of 11 March 1993 laying down the conditions for the exercise of professions relating to trade in animals and animal products (DAOA), and Order n°35 /MINAGRA/MIC/INT of 08 April 1993, [A93. 35], the issuance of the Authorisation to practice professions related to the trade of animals, of DAOA intended for human consumption is carried out after submission and examination of a file to the attention of the Direction des Services Vétérinaires (DSV) of the Ministry of Animal and Fishery Resources.

 

This authorisation is issued by an interministerial commission chaired by the Ministry in charge of trade.

 

The list of authorised companies is published annually by Inter-ministerial Order.

 

  1. Documents to be provided

For a first application

The list of documents is as follows:

  • Handwritten application (addressed to the President of the Approval Commission – Decree n°93-312 of 11 March 1993 – Abidjan District) (Applicant).
  • Valid identity certificate of the manager (National Identity Card or Residence Card).
  • Extract of the manager’s criminal record dated less than three (3) months (Court of the place of residence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for foreign nationals).
  • Extract from the Trade Register bearing a mention relating to the profession applied for.
  • 2 photos of the manager.
  • Certificate of location of the place of business (Town Hall of the commune concerned).
  • Certificate of Visit and Counter Visit with chest X-ray of the manager and employees who handle foodstuffs (Public Hospitals).
  • List of employees (Applicant).
  • Declaration of Fiscal Existence (DFE) – Taxes.
  • Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Service d’Inspection Vétérinaire à la Direction des Services Vétérinaires, DSV).
  • Receipt of payment of the fees paid to MIRAH for the application files at the Direction des Services Vétérinaires (DSV).

 

The deadline for issuing the authorisation is : 2 Commissions per year are organised

The period of validity of the authorisation is 1 year

 

For a renewal of the authorization

 

The list of documents is as follows:

  • Handwritten application (for the attention of the President of the Approval Commission, Decree 93-312 of 11 March 1993 – Abidjan District) (Applicant)
  • Certificate of Identity (National Identity Card or Residence Card) in the course of validity
  • Certificate of Location of the place of practice (Town Hall of the commune concerned)
  • Certificate of Visit and Counter Visit with chest X-ray of the manager and employees who handle foodstuffs (Public Hospitals)
  • Certified copy of the Patent for the previous year (Tax Centre of the municipality)
  • Copy of the Professional Card (Applicant)
  • 2 passport photos of the manager (Applicant)
  • List of employees (Applicant)
  • Certificate of Non-bankruptcy (Commercial Court of the place of residence)
  • Certificate of Tax Regularity – Taxes (tax office of your municipality)
  • Certificate of Veterinary Inspection of the premises (Veterinary Inspection Service, at the Direction des Services Vétérinaires, DSV)
  • Receipt of payment of the application fee (at the Direction des Services Vétérinaires, DSV).

 

The amount of the fees is : 100.000 FCFA/file.

The deadline for issuing the authorisation is: 2 commissions per year are organised.

The period of validity of the authorisation is 1 year.

 

III-DOCUMENTS

  1. Import Declaration Form (IDF)

The Import Declaration Form (IDF) is compulsory if the value of the goods exceeds five hundred thousand (500,000) CFA francs – see Example of IDF.

 

The FDI is established online via the transactional site of the Guichet Unique du Commerce Extérieur (GUCE). Access to the site requires prior registration as an importer, exporter or forwarder. The documents and information to be provided are as follows:

  • Importer Code (or Occasional Importer Code).
  • Invoice (Pro-forma or Final).
  • Mode of transport.
  • Name of the importer’s bank (in Côte d’Ivoire) (for direct debit and exchange authorisation).
  • HS codes of the products to be imported.

 

For the import of products listed below, the FDI application will only be validated after receipt of the Preliminary Import Authorisation (API) – see API procedure below and in the General Import Procedures tab of the website – in the online file, validated, endorsed and signed by the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries.

 

  1. Preliminary Import Authorisation (API)

Pending a fully dematerialised procedure, this procedure is currently done online, and is then continued manually.

 

The Preliminary Import Authorisation (API) is necessary to obtain the Import Form (FDI) – (see General Import Procedures tab on the website). The API is valid for six (6) months and is linked to the operation for which the request was made.

 

Online procedure

The procedure concerning applications for Preliminary Import Authorisation is introduced online on the electronic platform of the Single Window for Foreign Trade (GUCE), by economic operators or their forwarding agents.

 

The API will also be issued online at the end of the procedure. However, it will be necessary to present the physical file to the relevant Ministry in order to pay the fees for the issuance of the API:

  • Start the Import Declaration Form (IDF) procedure on the GUCE website – see IDF procedure above
  • The system automatically generates an application for a Preliminary Import Authorisation (API) on the GUCE platform, which is intended for the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, which will validate it online, after physical examination of the file and payment of the API fee to the Ministry.
  • The documents to be downloaded are
  • The invoice (Pro-forma or Definitive).

 

The agents of the Sub-Directorate of Food Hygiene and Safety (SDHSSA) will validate the API online after payment and physical reception of the file.

 

Manual procedure

 

The importer then goes to the Sub-Directorate of Food Hygiene and Safety (SDHSSA) of the Veterinary Services Department (DSV) of the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries to submit the file (FDI number, copy of the invoice (pro-forma or final) and the business card) and pay the API.

The transaction cost of the API is : 5,000 FCFA / 25 t or per container

 

The agents of the Sub-Directorate of Food Hygiene and Sanitary Safety (SDHSSA) of the Veterinary Services Directorate examine the file and validate the API online (Validation between 2 and 72 hours after the physical submission of the file to the Ministry).

 

  1. Cargo Tracking Form (CTF) procedure

For all imports by sea, the exporter, the foreign forwarder and the importer must register the Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) via the website of the Office Ivoirien des Chargeurs (OIC)

 

At embarkation

 

Registration of the BSC (see General Import Procedures). The documents required are the following:

  • The Final Invoice.
  • Bill of Lading (B/L).
  • Packing List.
  • Export Declaration to the customs of the country of shipment of the goods.
  • Certificate of local insurance in Ivory Coast.
  • The Import Declaration Form (FDI) or its number.
  • In addition, for imports from countries outside the European Union, the following are required
  • The Freight Invoice.
  • The Certificate of Origin.

 

  1. Certificate of Value

As soon as the goods are shipped and all the transport documents for the goods are available (Final Commercial Invoice, Ocean Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, Packing List, Freight Invoice, copy of the FDI and all other available certificates), the freight forwarder must initiate a request for a Certificate of Value.

 

All goods with an FOB value greater than or equal to one (1) million CFA francs must obtain a Final Classification and Value Report (FCVR) from the Directorate of Risk Analysis, Intelligence and Value (DARRV) of the Customs, via the electronic platform of the GUCE – Cf. Customs Circular N°2007 of 29 March 2019.

 

The authorised forwarder downloads and fills in the Notice of Deposit (ND).

He attaches the documents accompanying the goods (see list above) to the deposit notice and uploads the whole file online on the GUCE platform.

 

The Customs Directorate of Risk Analysis, Intelligence and Value (DARRV) checks the shipping documents and delivers the Final Classification and Value Report by e-mail to the consignee or freight forwarder within 5 working days of the submission of the documents.

 

The freight forwarder completes Form D41 (Sampling Permit: this is an authorisation given by the importer or freight forwarder to Customs to take a sample of the goods for the purposes of quality control or to visually assess the apparent condition of the goods) and physically deposits it with the transport documents (see list above) at the Customs Risk Analysis, Intelligence and Value Division (DARRV) for verification.

 

After examining the file, the DARRV issues the Attestation of Verification (AV).

 

Goods with an FOB value of less than one (1) million CFA francs and certain other products – see the list of goods not subject to RFCV on the website www.douanes.ci – are exempt from the RFCV procedure – see the General Import Procedure tab.

 

IV-AUTHORISATIONS AND CERTIFICATES REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE GOODS

 

The Customs declaration must first be filled in online on the GUCE platform (declaration system – SYDAM). Once this document has been completed, it should be printed and presented to the MIRAH Border Veterinary Inspection and Control Service to obtain the Sanitary Pass and other related documents.

 

The Authorisations and Certificates mentioned below are issued by the Service d’Inspection et de Contrôle Sanitaires Vétérinaires en Frontières – which depends on the Direction des Services Vétérinaires du MIRAH – hosted by the Service Phytosanitaire of the Customs office concerned.

Prior to the submission of the import declaration for customs clearance of the file, the forwarder must submit the file to the office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Phytosanitary Service of the Customs office to obtain a Sanitary Pass.

 

The Health Certificate and the Inspection Attestation are also documents to be presented to Customs in order to take delivery of the imported goods.

 

These documents are necessary to receive the Good to Remove (GTR) from Customs and take delivery of the imported goods.

 

  1. Sanitary Pass

This document authorises animal and animal products to enter Côte d’Ivoire, subject to the issuance of a Health Certificate and requires the following file to be completed:

  • Customs declaration.
  • Certificate of Origin from the country of origin (photocopy).
  • Sanitary certificate from the country of origin (original).
  • API (Preliminary Import Authorisation).
  • FDI (Import Declaration Form).
  • Bill of Lading: Sea Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB) or Consignment note.
  • Cargo Tracking Form (if by sea).
  • Insurance of the goods.
  • The cost[2] is :
  • 1 FCFA / KG of Milk.
  • 30 FCFA / KG of Milk by-products: yoghurt, cheese, butter, cream.

 

  1. Health certificate

The Health Certificate is issued after physical examination of the goods by an inspector of the MIRAH Border Veterinary Inspection and Control Service.

 

If there is a problem, the Service d’Inspection et de Contrôle Sanitaires Vétérinaires en Frontières requests analyses to be carried out at the importer’s expense.

 

The Health Certificate authorises the release for sale or consumption of a product declared fit for human consumption or a product that complies with the quality standards required for import.

It is coupled with the issuance of the Sanitary Pass. Its cost is free of charge.

 

The documents to be presented for the issuance of a Health Certificate are the following:

  • Customs declaration.
  • Bill of Lading or Air Waybill or Consignment note.
  • Certificate of Health of the country of origin.
  • Additional certificates (non-radioactive).
  • Certificate of Origin (photocopy).
  • Preliminary Import Authorisation (PIA).
  • Results of analyses (if analyses have been requested).
  • Inspection Report (Inspection Report of the physical control of the goods).

 

  1. Veterinary Inspection Certificate

 

If the examination of the file and the physical inspection of the goods show that the goods meet the quality criteria of the Ivorian standards, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Phytosanitary Service issues a Veterinary Inspection Certificate.

 

The Veterinary Inspection Certificate authorises the entry of the products into the country.

Cost: CFAF 5,000 per Attestation

 

The documents to be presented are the following:

  • Customs declaration.
  • Bill of Lading or Air Waybill or Consignment note.
  • Certificate of Health of the country of origin.
  • Côte d’Ivoire Health Certificate.
  • Additional certificates (non-dioxin, non-radioactivity).
  • Certificate of Origin (photocopy).
  • Preliminary Import Authorisation (API).
  • Results of Analyses (if analyses have been requested).
  • Inspection report (inspection report of the physical control of the goods).

 

 

  1. Customs Declaration

 

On arrival

The customs declaration is made by a forwarder appointed by the importer and approved by Customs – see List of forwarders approved by Customs.

The forwarder submits the declaration in the Customs’ SYDAM – Sydonia World computer system. The documents to be submitted to the freight forwarder to make the Customs declaration are the following:

  • Original Bill of Lading (B/L) for sea shipments, or Air Waybill (AWB) for air shipments or Consignment note for road shipments.
  • Original supplier’s invoice.
  • Certificate of Insurance.
  • Import Declaration Form (IDF) – via the GUCE website.)
  • Freight Invoice.
  • Final Value Classification Report (FVCR) if the FOB value is at least one (1) million CFA francs (or the Attestation of Value (AV) if the FOB value is less than one (1) million CFA francs, or if the goods are excluded from the FVCR – see List of goods not subject to the FVCR on the websites www.douane.ci and www.webbfontaine.ci.
  • The Packing List.
  • The Customs receipt if the method of payment of duties and taxes is cash.
  • The Cargo Tracking Form (BSC) issued by the Ivorian Shippers’ Office (OIC) for transport by sea.
  • The UEMOA or ECOWAS certificate of origin if required.
  • The certificate of origin of the exporting country.
  • A Quality Certificate issued by a recognised international organisation, before shipment of the products.
  • A Sanitary certificate from the country of shipment.
  • A certificate of non-radioactivity for dairy products.

 

The Bon à Enlever (BAE) from the Customs will be issued after examination of the file by the Customs and the obtaining of :

  • The Veterinary Inspection Certificate, signed by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Border Veterinary Inspection and Control Service – under the authority of the MIRAH Veterinary Services Directorate – of the Customs office concerned.
  • The Sanitary Pass.
  • The Health Certificate issued after a possible physical control of the imported goods.

 

 

V-OTHER CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY MIRAH

 

These documents may be required in addition to the usual documentation, depending on the case.

 

  1. Sampling Report

 

The Procès-Verbal d’Echantillonnage is issued by the Direction des Services Vétérinaires / Service d’Inspection et de Contrôle Sanitaires Vétérinaires en Frontières. This document provides proof that a product has been taken for analysis.

Cost: Free of charge

 

Its application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Packing list
  • Customs declaration
  • Certificate of Health of the country of origin (original)
  • Certificate of Origin (photocopy)

 

  1. Certificate of Consignment

The Certificate of Consignment is issued by the Border Veterinary Inspection and Control Service. This document serves as proof that a product is consigned and should not be sold pending a verdict to lift the consignment or destroy it.

Cost: Free of charge

 

List of documents required for the issuance of the Consignment Certificate:

  • Packing list.
  • Customs declaration.
  • Laboratory analysis results.
  • Sampling report.

 

  1. Certificate of release from detention

The Certificate of Clearance on Consignment is issued by the Border Veterinary Inspection and Control Service. After having consigned a doubtful product that is found to be healthy, the agent of the Inspection Service lifts the consignment in order to make the product available to the operator.

The cost of this is free of charge.

List of documents required for the issuance of the document: Laboratory analysis results.

 

  1. Certificate of Seizure

The Certificate of Seizure attests that the product has been effectively seized. It is useful for the importer to assert his rights with the supplier.

Its cost is free of charge.

List of documents required for the issuance of the document: The report of the structure in charge of the destruction.

 

  1. Destruction report

The destruction report concerns all animal products and products of animal origin (DAOA). This document attests that the product has been effectively destroyed. It is useful for the importer to assert his rights with the supplier.

 

It is issued free of charge.

 

List of documents required for the issuance of the document: The report of the structure in charge of the destruction.

 

V- LIST OF PRODUCTS

04 Dairy produce; birds’ eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included.
Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar/other sweetening matter
Milk and cream, concentrated/added sugar/other sweetening matter
Buttermilk, curdled milk & cream, kephir, fermented milk & cream yoghurt
Whey, including concentrated/added sugar
Butter and other milk fats
Cheese and curd
Natural honey
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastries. Dessert cream, etc.
21 Miscellaneous food preparations. Ice cream for consumption