Global Import Regulations for

Kuwait

General Market Condition: Prohibited

Source: Report from CS Post (via Cable), 29 April 2002

Kuwait's public health institutions do not buy used/refurbished medial devices. All tenders call for new devices and equipment. The public health sector represents about 90 percent of the total market, with the remaining 10 percent for the private sector. The latter does not buy used devices. Tariffs are imposed on new equipment only (currently at 4 percent of value); it will be increased to 5 percent in 2003. Used equipment will not be permitted to be imported. Used/refurbished equipment does not have a market in Kuwait.

Source: Report from CS Post (via Cable), 19 October 1998 (Information confirmed 18 March 2001)

The export market for used equipment in Kuwait is extremely limited. As a policy, the Government of Kuwait will not purchase used equipment for use in any of its ministries or para-statal companies. Since these two categories account for approximately 90 percent of the economy, the limited potential is readily apparent.

In addition, outright prohibitions exist in Kuwait against the importation of the following:

• 
  Used medical equipment and instruments.
  
• 
  Used vehicles manufactured prior to five years from the date of importation.
  
• 
  Used clothes and other items of personal wear.
  

Kyrgyzstan

General Market Condition: No Restrictions

Source: Report from CS Post (via Cable), 7 August 1998

The Kyrgyz Republic has the following regulations for importation of used/refurbished equipment:

A. Currently, there are no restrictions on the imports of used equipment to Kyrgyzstan. All equipment, whether used or new, imported into the country is treated the same way;

B. However, if a company intends to import used/refurbished equipment, it is strongly recommended to specify this in agreements and other documents;

C. According to Kyrgyzstani experts, the used/refurbished equipment can be used almost in all industries, first of all in such branches as electric power, electro-technical, light and food industries as well as agriculture. Unfortunately, the National Statistical Committee does not track the market for the equipment in question.

Liberia

General Market Condition: No Restrictions

Source: Report from CS Post (via Cable), 2 March 2002

Overview

Liberia does not have restrictions on the importation of used or refurbished medical equipment. There are no specific laws that govern the importation of used or refurbished medical equipment. Neither government nor private health institutions are discouraged from importing or purchasing used medical equipment. However, the Ministry of Health must certify drugs and other medical expendibles that are imported into the country.

Used medical equipment is not treated or handled differently from new equipment with regards to custom and tariffs.

Most of the medical equipment used in Liberia at the moment is not of high technology. According to sources at the Ministry of Health in Monrovia, most medical equipment used in government hospitals is used or refurbished, donated by NGOs from the United States and Taiwan.

Private health institutions are the biggest importers and users of used and refurbished medical equipment and statistics indicate that they will remain so for the next couple of years, as most government health institutions remain closed or in derelict state.

The major types of used or refurbished medical equipment in greatest demand in both public and private health institutions include laboratory equipment, hospital beds and furniture, X-ray equipment, scanners, surgical equipment, cardiac monitors and printers, baby incubators, pediatric weight scales, iv poles, transfusion pumps, and phaco-emulsifier machines.

Responses to Specific Questions

Are there special restrictions or tariffs that apply to used equipment that do not apply to new medical equipment?

There are no special restrictions or tariffs that apply to used or new medical equipment. Neither used nor new medical equipment have special restrictions or tariffs that favor one over the other.

Can public health institutions buy used or refurbished medical devices?

Yes, public health institutions can buy used or refurbished medical devices.

Is there a market for used or refurbished devices?

Yes. As a matter of fact, used or refurbished medical equipment are imported or bought more often than new ones, primarily because of economic reasons.

If there is a market, what types of used or refurbished medical equipment are in the greatest demand?

Used or refurbished medical equipment in greatest demand include laboratory equipment, hospital beds and furniture, x-ray, scanners, surgical equipment, cardiac monitors and printers, baby incubators, pediatric weight scale, i.v poles and transfusion pumps and phaco-emulsifier machines.

Sources

Mrs. Sodey Lake, Administrator, Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (Tnima)
Amelia Ayomanor Nursing Administrator, John F. Kennedy Medical Center
Ministry of Health, Information Section
Ndu L.Adighibe, Assistant Minister of Commerce for Foreign Trade

Luxembourg

General Market Condition: No Restrictions, but CE Mark is Required

See also the entry for the European Community.

Source: Report from CS Post (via E-Mail), 15 April 2003

Are there special restrictions or tariffs that apply to used medical equipment?

There are no restrictions in Luxembourg that apply to used medical equipment other than EU restrictions that apply to new medical equipment.

If a manufacturer or its agent has registered a medical device in the country, can a third party legally import the same device in used/refurbished condition without the used device being subject to new safety inspections, etc.?

A third party may legally import a registered second hand medical device without being subjected to new safety inspections

Can public health institutions buy used or refurbished medical devise?

Public Health institutions may use refurbished medical devices

Is there a market for used or refurbished medical devices?

There is no important market for used medical equipmemt. Some private (non governmental) institutions purchased used medical devices in the past but the trend is to purchase new devices now.

If there is a market, what types of used or refurbished medical equipment are in the greatest demand?

There is no important demand for used equipment.