Global Import Regulations for

Haiti

General Market Condition: No Restrictions

Source: International Market Insight, Regulatory Requirements & Market Prospects For Used Medical Equipment, 12 March 2002

Regulatory Agency

The Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population supervises the healthcare sector for the country.

Regulations

There are no regulations for the enforcement of quality, technical or safety standards. The Haitian Government does not restrict the importation of used/refurbished medical equipment.

Standards

Both U.S. and European standards are currently accepted and respected by the purchasing entities

Import Duties and Taxes

Used medical items entering the Haitian customs territory are subject to the same import tax treatment as new items. Import duties on medical devices are 16 percent. The tariff system is on a CIF basis. The value of imported goods, either FOB or CIF, is converted into Haitian gourdes at the prevailing daily rate, prior to the application of duties and taxes.

Distribution

The market prospects for imports of all types of used/refurbished medical equipment is relatively strong, since new medical equipment is considered to be expensive, U.S. companies have a number of options for entering the Haitian market place, including direct exporting, franchising, licensing, and wholesaling. The most common method involves the use of an official representative or distributor, as the Haitian commercial code does not allow foreigners to engage in wholesale or retail business without first obtaining a professional license. Most foreign firms are represented by agents in Port-au-Prince, who then distribute products to the provinces. The commercial code is designed to protect Haitian citizens who work as agents and distributors for foreign companies. The Haitian tax code includes a withholding tax provision, which, in practical terms, discriminates against foreign investors. Foreign companies are subject to an additional levy of 30 percent on profits as a final tax on deemed distributions to foreign shareholders, whereas local firms are subject to only a 15 percent withholding tax on distributions. The government has committed itself to removing this disincentive to invesment; however, further administrative action is required to implement this commitment.

Contact List for Medical Equipment and Health Services Exporters

Ministry of Public Health and Population
Palais des Ministeres
Rue Monseigneur Guilloux
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Dr. Henry-Claude Voltaire, Minister
Ph: [phone]/222-7020
Fax: [phone]

Division D’hygiene Publique

Direction Centrale de Pharmacie et de Controle
Des Substances Chimiques
59 Rue des Miracles
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Mr. Eric Dubosse, Director
Ph: [phone]

Association Medicale Haitienne (AMH)

24 Rue Capois
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Hopital de l’Universite d’Etat

Rue Monseigneur Guilloux
Centre Ville
Port-au-Prince
Telephone: [phone] 4344/223 4261

Hopital Francais

Rue du Centre
Port-au-Prince
Haiti
Telephone: [phone] 9979/223 9988

Hopital St. Francois de Salles

Angle Rue Chareron et Rue de l’Enterrement
Port-au-Prince
Haiti
Telephone: [phone] 32/222 0232

Hopital du Canape Vert

Route du Canapé Vert
Port-au-Prince
Haiti
Telephone: [phone] 0985/245 6105
Fax: [phone]

Association Medicale Haitienne (AMH)

24 Rue Capois
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Source: Report from CS Post (via Cable), 10 April 2000

In general, the Haitian government does not restrict the importation of used/refurbished equipment other than through two regulations, one governing the imports of used clothing, furniture, bedding, and shoes, the second governing the importation of used cars (limited to one used car per person per year). These two regulations are not enforced and these items are freely imported into Haiti.

All used items, entering the Haitian customs territory are subject to the same import tax treatment as new items. However. Only one category of items, used cars pay an additional ten percent (10 percent) CIF. Tourist tax which does not apply to new cars. Medical equipment, whether new or used, enter the territory duty free but, like any imported item, are subject to other import taxes: 4 percent CIF Verification fee, 2 percent CIF. For community management, 2 percent CIF. Account tax, 10 percent value added tax (VAT) on ex-customs value.

Public health institutions as well as private health institutions are allowed to and in fact import used or refurbished medical devices therefore indicating the existence of a market for used or refurbished devices.

Honduras

General Market Condition: No Restrictions, but Public Institutions Do Not Buy

Source: Report from CS Post (via E-Mail), 27 March 2002; updated, 16 April 2003

According to the Honduran Customs and Tax Division, there are no restrictions or quotas for the importation of remanufactured, rebuilt, and/or used medical equipment to Honduras. The import tariff for used medical equipment is the same as that for new equipment. The appraisal for remanufactured, rebuilt, and/or used medical equipment is carried out at any port of entry in the country by the customs agent. The import tax paid for such products is 1 percent of its CIF price.

At present, public health institutions are only allowed to purchase new medical equipment and supplies through public and international bids. According to the Ministry of Public Health, the only used medical equipment acquired has been donated. However, since it is more expensive to acquire new medical equipment, the Government of Honduras is planning to modify the current regulation in order to allow the purchase of used or refurbished equipment (as long as it is accompanied by a warranty of at least 6 months and servicing/repairs provided locally).

According to industry representatives, there is a good market for used and refurbished medical equipment, presently reporting 20 percent increase in demand, especially if after-sales support, repair parts, and warranty options are available. Approximately 10 percent of medical equipment imported into Honduras is used or re-conditioned. According to a report from General Electric (GE), Honduras is the number one importer of medical equipment in the Central American region, creating an important market for U.S. medical equipment exporters. For instance, last year, GE sold magnetic resonance equipment to a local private hospital in San Pedro Sula, making Honduras the first country in the Latin American region to import this kind of new and sophisticated technology in the health sector.

The medical equipment brands of greatest demand in Honduras are: General Electric, Storz, Medtronic, Ortosintese, Getinge Casde, Wlchallyn, and Aesculap.

Among the best prospects are X-ray and monitoring equipment, hospital beds, wheelchairs, uniforms, lab coats, stethoscopes, liftman stethoscopes, thermometers, breast pumps, scissors, dental care equipment, digital blood pressure equipment, ophthalmoscopes, eye exam kits, examination gloves, heart rate monitoring equipment, X-ray view boxes, blood chemistry and collection equipment, sterilizing equipment, instrument cleaners, instrument lubricants, ultrasonic cleaners, rapid diagnostic test kits, and surgery and intensive-care equipment.

For additional information on the market for used and refurbished medical equipment in Honduras, please contact Elizabeth Danforth at the Commercial Service Office in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, tel. [phone], fax [phone].