Search

3.46. In February 2021, Seychelles also introduced a levy on the importation of gasses and equipment containing refrigerant gasses having ozone depleting or global warming potential. [50]
[50] Environment Protection (Environmental Levies) (Amendment) Regulations, 2021.

3.47. Seychelles maintains import prohibitions and restrictions for certain goods mostly based on national security, health, and environmental considerations. (...)

3.49. The list of import prohibitions comprises 13 product categories (Table 3.2), including toxic chemicals, counterfeit currencies, and arms. Based on environmental reasons, Seychelles introduced during the review period a prohibition on the imports of: (i) non-biodegradable plastic bags and utensils (with some exemptions based on their intended use) (June 2017); (ii) non-biodegradable plastic straws (June 2019); and (iii) balloons (September 2021). [54] (...)
[54] The prohibition of plastics bags and utensils, balloons were issued, respectively, in Environment Protection (Restriction on Importation, Distribution and Sale of Plastic Utensils and Polystyrene Boxes) Regulations, 2017, 30 June 2017; Environment Protection (Restriction on the Manufacturing, Importation, Distribution and Sale of Plastic Straws), Regulations, 2019; and Customs Management (Prohibited and Restricted Goods) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations, 2020.

Table 3.2. List of prohibited products, 2022:
Goods: Non-biodegradable plastic straws, balloons, non-biodegradable plastic bags and utensils (...)
Reasons: Environmental protection
(...)

Table 3.2. List of prohibited products, 2022:
Goods: Toxic chemicals (...)
Reasons: Health protection
(...)

Table 3.2. List of prohibited products, 2022:
Goods: Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gas and equipment dependent on CFCs and hydrofluorocarbons, waste or waste product or both of any kind (...)
Reasons: Environmental protection
(...)

3.50. Additionally, Seychelles controls the imports of a selected number of products through a system of (non-automatic) licences or permits – as they are referred to under its national legislation. This system is implemented based on health, public safety, national security, environmental, conservation, and socio-economic considerations. The list of goods subject to an import licence comprises nearly 50 product categories (Table A3.5) and includes endangered species, plastic items, fertilizers (...) During the review period, Seychelles introduced a licence requirement to import certain military equipment (previously prohibited) (2019), popsicles with alcoholic content (2019), biodegradable plastic straws (2019), and hand sanitizers (2020). [55] (...)
[55] The licence requirements for these goods were introduced through the Customs Management (Prohibited and Restricted Goods) Regulations, 2019; the Environment Protection (Restriction on the Manufacturing, Importation, Distribution and Sale of Plastic Straws), Regulations, 2019; and the Customs Management (Prohibited and Restricted Goods) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2020.

3.58. Seychelles does not apply any export prohibitions but requires a licence or permit – as referred to in its national legislation – to export certain products based mainly on health and environmental considerations (Table 3.3). (...)

Table 3.3. List of restricted products for exportation, 2022:
Goods: Human remains, tissues, ashes, and biological samples from laboratories for research or diagnostic purposes
Institution: Ministry of Health
Reasons: Health and environmental protection
(...)

Table 3.3. List of restricted products for exportation, 2022: (...)
Goods: Waste and products derived from waste, Hazardous waste
Institution: Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment
Reasons: Health and environmental protection
(...)