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Non automatic licences are needed to import medicines and chemical precursors in order to comply with the international commitments laid down in various United Nations conventions. The licences are used to administer quotas for the import of narcotics. The import of methyl bromide and refrigerants is also subject to non automatic licensing in order to comply with Honduras' Montreal Protocol commitments. There has been no major change to the procedure for obtaining such licences since 2010. Licences must be issued before the goods arrive, although a licence may be granted when the goods arrive if the quantity lies within the permitted limits. The validity of licences for the import of refrigerants varies depending on the distance from the country of origin, the means of transport and the port of entry, and are granted for the import of a specific quantity. Licences for the import of methyl bromide are usually valid for three to six months because of the product's properties. If the importer does not import the goods within the time limit and requests a new licence, he has to explain the reasons for which the original import did not take place. A licence may be refused if the quota attributed to the importer has been exhausted and sufficient technical information to enable a new substance to be identified and classified is unavailable.

Honduras notified 29 measures to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015, covering areas such as environmental protection, consumer protection and labelling, inter alia.

The Honduran Standardization Agency (OHN) was also established during the review period as the technical arm of the National Quality System. The OHN represents Honduras in regional and international standardization organizations such as the ISO, the IEC and the Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT). It follows international standards and is responsible for preparing, approving, publishing and disseminating standards. During the review period, the OHN published 44 standards regulating various areas. [32] The OHN publishes an annual national standardization work programme, which identifies areas in which new standards are required. According to this programme, Honduras is currently preparing standards in the following areas: general vocabulary, laws, organic chemicals, energy efficiency, lighting, melons, toys and conformity assessment.

[32] These standards concern: the environment; coffee; quality; jams, jellies and marmalades; energy; gender equality; conformity assessment; beans; hotels; toys; dairy produce; melons; plastics; social responsibility; doughnuts; and tour operators. Information viewed at: http://ohn.hondurascalidad.org/117_normas_publicadas_2015-03-12.pdf.

Table 3.9 Principal legal instruments regulating the sanitary and phytosanitary system, 2015
Animal health Legal framework
Regulations on application of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Decision No. 966 03 (SAG)
(...)
Plant health Legal framework
Biosafety regulations with emphasis on transgenic plants Decision No. 1570 98 (SAG)
Regulations on organic farming Decision No. 163 03 (SAG)
RTCA on microbiological pesticides for agricultural use: registration requirements RTCA 65.05.61:11
(...)

() In addition to registration, veterinary medicines and related products based on GMOs or biotechnology products, as well as biological products from countries where exotic diseases exist, have to undergo a risk analysis. ()

Exporters of certain goods have to be registered with the competent authority. Exporters of seeds and methyl bromide must be registered with the State Secretariat for Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) and those exporting ozone depleting chemicals with the State Secretariat for Energy, Natural Resources, the Environment and Mining. [56]

[56] Article 5 of the Law on Seeds (Decree No. 1046) of 15 July 1980 and Article 2 of the General Regulations on the Use of Ozone Depleting Substances (Decision No. 907 2002) of 15 October 2002.

Honduras bans the export of some products for the following reasons: (i) to protect public, animal or plant health and the environment; (ii) to ensure supplies of basic products for the domestic market; and (iii) to comply with international commitments. For example, since 2010, owing to shortages on the domestic market, the export of red beans has been prohibited. The export of harmful foodstuffs is not allowed for reasons of public health , and endangered plants or animals may not be exported in order to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Honduras does not allow the export of wood of latifoliate species from natural forests if it has not been worked or processed. [64]

[64] Article 102 of the Law on Forestry, Protected Areas and Wildlife (Decree No. 98 2007) of 19 September 2007.

Table 3.14 Incentives
Legislation Exemption or duty free arrangement
Article 4 of the Law on the Promotion of Sustainable Rural Tourism (Decree No 126 2011) of 9 August 2011 Five year exemption from payment of tariffs on the import of goods and inputs needed for the creation or improvement of tourism related companies; and three year exemption from payment of sales tax on the purchase of goods and inputs needed for the creation or improvement of tourism related companies
(...)
Law on the Promotion of Electricity Generation from Renewable Resources (Decree No. 70 2007) of 31 May 2007, and amendments thereto Exemption from taxes and other levies on both imports and local purchase of equipment, spare parts and other materials needed and directly related to the generation of electricity. Exemption from income tax for a period of ten years
(...)

The purpose of the ZEDE (Employment and Economic Development Zones) is to develop international logistics centres, international commercial courts, special investment areas, renewable energy areas, special economic zones, zones under a special legal system, special agro industrial zones and special tourism zones. Although no ZEDE has yet been established, a number of sites where they could be installed have been identified.

In a bidding procedure, whether public or private, the contract is usually awarded to the supplier offering the lowest price. When domestic and foreign suppliers are competing, the price to be compared is determined taking into account the preferential margin. Other criteria in addition to price may be taken into account when evaluating bids, for example: financing terms, delivery time and environmental impact. If the contract is not awarded to the bidder offering the lowest price, the decision has to be properly substantiated and approved by the official in charge of the institution concerned (for example, the State Secretariat or the mayor).