Search Results for "martinique" in "Martinique" on Export Portal

Exports

Martinique is an insular region of France located in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea. One of the Windward Islands, it is directly north of Saint Lucia, southeast of Puerto Rico, northwest of Barbados, and south of Dominica. The island started to gain its name and place on the international market in 1946, as an integral part of French Republic. 

The economy of Martinique is based on the trade of things that are worthless to exchange them for more valuable objects. Agriculture plays a very important part in the economy and brings the biggest part of the country's income. Most of the agriculture on the island can be found in the hot valleys and along the coastal strips, and large parts of these areas are dedicated to the cultivation of sugarcane and the production of rum, which is the island's greatest export. Bananas and pineapples, as well as other fruits,  are also important exports for Martinique. In recent years, the export of bananas has been increasing, with shipments mainly bound for France. Other agricultural exports include avocados, vegetables and flowers. Currently, agriculture makes up about 6 percent of Martinique's gross domestic product.

The island is reach in natural resources. Due to the presence of hills and rocks, the island can export large quantities of construction materials and engineering, such as : building stones, cement products, ceramic materials, chemical and plastic items, etc. 

The major export partners of Martinique are: France, Brazil, French Guinea, Germany and Guadeloupe.

Customs requirements of Martinique

Martinique Customs Office in France

Website: http://www.douane.gouv.fr/    

Email: customs@gov.je   

Address:  50 Rue Martin Luther King

97200 Fort de France, Martinique

Phone: +(596) 60-0050

Fax: +(596) 73-1088

Tariffs 

Most raw materials imported to Martinique from non-EU countries enter duty-free or at low rates, while most manufactured goods are subject to rates of between 5 and 17 percent. The tariff schedule is based on the Harmonized System. Besides customs duties, most processed products are subject to additional import charges based on the percentage of sugar, milk fat, milk protein and starch in the product. 

Import duties are calculated on an ad valorem basis. This dutiable value is the "transaction value" plus freight, insurance, commissions, and all other charges and expenses incidental to the sale and delivery of the goods to the point of entry into EU customs territory. The invoice price will normally be accepted as the transaction value if the seller and the buyer are not related. 

Under Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), there are four additional methods for the determination of customs valuation in the event that the method described above is rejected by customs authorities. These methods are to be applied in the following order: (1) the transaction value of incidental goods; (2) the transaction value of similar goods; (3) the deduction method, i.e. the resale price, less such costs as customs duties, taxes and commissions; and (4) the computed value, utilizing costs of production, profit, and other expenses. 

Required Documentation

Cargo and goods being imported into the country must be secured and fully concealed with documentation of commercial invoice, bill of lading, labeling and measurements. Most imports come via ports through the gulf and are apparent to customs upon arrival.

Every importer or exporter has to prepare the following documents in order to sell on both local and international markets:

- Commercial Invoice

All imports of goods and services must have their commercial invoice stamped and legalised by government from origin of export. Without this document companies will be fined and goods may be rejected from entry.

- Bill Of Lading

When exporting products to a non-governmental importer in Martinique it must include the bill of lading. When items are declared they are subject to different tax thresholds and must include:

a) marks of identification, name and address of consignee;

b) quantities, weights and values.

- Certificate of insurance

Certificates must include details about the overall program, project or contract that is being embarked on, information about your organization, total value of the project and other details may be requested and all sections of the form must be filled out and in order.

Labeling

The labels on the imported product has to contain the following information: 

1. All the information about the product has to be printed on a label securely affixed to the package or printed on the package itself;

2. All the products with only one sttandard label are not allowed to pe placed on the market;

3. All products with false, misleading or deceprive representation are not allowed to be placed on the market;

4. The content on the label has to be clear, prominent, indelible, and readily legible by the consumer.

Packaged food must carry a statement identifying either:

1. the country where the food was made, produced or grown; 

2. the country where the food was manufactured or packaged and that the food is a mix of ingredients imported into that country or a mix of local and imported ingredients.

Country of origin labeling applies to unpacked fresh and processed fruit, vegetables, nuts, spices, herbs, legumes, seeds, fish (including shellfish) and meat (pork, beef, sheep and chicken).

For example, the following unpacked foods are required to have country of origin labeling:

1. fresh and sun-dried tomatoes;

2. processed ham and bacon;

3. fresh and smoked fish fillets, and crumbed fish fillets;

4. fresh apples and dried apples;

5. chicken, pork, beef and lamb.

Sources:

https://hortintl.cals.ncsu.edu