Malawi Act or statute

Malawi legislation

Export Processing Zones Act, 1995

application procedureapplication reviewbonded facilitiesbonded factorybonded factory operationsbusinessbusiness restrictionscertificate revocationcertificatescommittee governancecompliancecustomsdefinitionsexcise and taxexport enterpriseexport enterprise registrationexport enterprisesexport manufacturingexport processingexport processing zoneexport processing zonesexport regulationexport salesexportsfactory locationfalse statementsfeesformsgoods removalgovernanceimport dutyimport restrictionsimport/export treatmentimportsinformation requestsinvestment administrationlocal sale limitsmanufacturingmanufacturing promotionmeeting procedureministerial recommendationsoffice tenurepayment currencypenaltiesproduct declarationrecord-keepingregulation-makingregulatory inspectionstradevalue added taxzone/factory compliance

Jurisdiction: Malawi
Structure: 24 provisions
Citation: Act 11 of 1995
Official identity: Year 1995
Dates: Enacted 1995 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

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Official identity: Year 1995
Dates: Enacted 1995 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

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Purpose and legislative effect

“This section gives the Act its short title: the Export Processing Zones Act.”

This section gives the Act its short title: the Export Processing Zones Act. This section defines key terms used in the Act. This section establishes the Export Processing Zones Appraisal Committee and sets out who sits on it and who may attend meetings. Non-ex officio committee members hold office for two years, may be re-appointed, and may resign with one month’s written notice to the Minister. Committee members, except ex officio members, are to be paid allowances set by the Minister.

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Enacted 1995 · Source version 31 Dec 2014. The date shown identifies this source expression and should not be treated as proof that no later change exists.
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Short title

This section gives the Act its short title: the Export Processing Zones Act.

Section 1

Functions of the Committee

The Committee must review applications for export processing zones and export product production or manufacture, and make recommendations to the Minister.

Section 7

Every certificate issued under this Act must be entered in a Register in the prescribed form.

Section 13

Restriction on quantities of export products to be sold locally

An export enterprise may sell export products in Malawi, but only up to prescribed percentages and subject to payment of the appropriate duty, excise, and tax.

Section 15C

Regulations

The Minister may make rules for export processing zones after consulting the Committee, and a person who breaches subsidiary legislation made under those rules may face a fine or up to one year in prison.

Section 21

Source and current-law status

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Source record from malawilii.org · Enacted 1995 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

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Showing 24 of 24 provisions

Provision 17Offence 3Short titleCommencement

Part I

Preliminary

§ 1Short titleShort title

This section gives the Act its short title: the Export Processing Zones Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Export Processing Zones Act.

Section 1Verify source

§ 2InterpretationCommencement

This section defines key terms used in the Act.

2. Interpretation In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “ adequate security ” means security which has been accepted as adequate by the Controller pursuant to section 16 ; “ bonded factory ” means a factory situated in an export processing zone ; “ certificate ” means an export enterprise certificate issued under section 10 ; “ Commissioner-General ” means the Commissioner-General of the Malawi Revenue Authority appointed under section 17 (1) of the Malawi Revenue Authority Act; [Cap. 39:07] “ Committee ” means the Export Processing Zones Appraisal Committee established under section 3 ; “ Customs area ” has the same meaning as ascribed to that term in the Customs and Excise Act; [7 of 2013] [Cap. 42:01] “ duty ” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Customs and Excise Act; “ enforcement officer ” means a customs and excise officer, or an officer designated in writing by the Minister as an enforcement officer for the purposes of this Act pursuant to section 19 ; “ export ” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Customs and Excise Act; “ export enterprise ” means a company in respect of which a certificate is in force; “ export processing zone ” means any area or building declared to be an export processing zone under section 8 ; “ export product ” means a product or produce declared to be an export product under section 9 ; “ import ” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Customs and Excise Act; “ manufacture ” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Customs and Excise Act; “ production day ” means the day on which an export enterprise commences, or is deemed to commence, its operations; “ scheduled equipment ” means the capital equipment, machinery and spare parts required by an export enterprise for equipping and operating a bonded factory ; “ scheduled materials ” means the materials, components, substances, matters or other things required by an export enterprise for the manufacture of export products. [7 of 2013]

Section 2Verify source

Part II

Establishment of Export Processing Zones Appraisal Committee

§ 3Establishment of the Export Processing Zones Appraisal CommitteeProvision

This section establishes the Export Processing Zones Appraisal Committee and sets out who sits on it and who may attend meetings.

3. Establishment of the Export Processing Zones Appraisal Committee (1) There is hereby established a committee to be known as the Export Processing Zones Appraisal Committee (in this Act otherwise known as the “ Committee ”) consisting of— (a) the Secretary for Industry and Trade who shall be designated by the Minister as Chairperson; (b) the following ex-official members— (i) the Secretary to the Treasury, or his designated representative; (ii) the Secretary for Economic Planning and Development, or his designated representative; (iii) the Secretary for Agriculture and Food Security, or his designated representative; (iv) the Secretary for Labour, or his designated representative; (v) the Commissioner-General , or his designated representative; and (vi) the Chief Immigration Officer, or his designated representative; (c) the Chief Executive Officer of the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre; (d) one member representing the private sector in Malawi nominated by Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and appointed by the Minister; and (e) one member representing the Reserve Bank of Malawi, nominated by the Governor and appointed by the Minister. (2) A representative of an ex officio member referred to in subsection 1 (b) shall be designated by, or on behalf of the ex officio member, by a notice in writing to the Chairman of the Committee , and when so designated such representative shall not attend to the business of the Committee by representation. (3) The Committee may, in its discretion, at any time and for any period invite any person, and the Minister may in like manner nominate any person in the public service, to attend any meeting of the Committee and to participate in the deliberations of the Committee , but such person or officer shall not be entitled to vote at that meeting. [7 of 2013]

Section 3Verify source

§ 4Tenure of office of members of the CommitteeProvision

Non-ex officio committee members hold office for two years, may be re-appointed, and may resign with one month’s written notice to the Minister.

4. Tenure of office of members of the Committee A member of the Committee , other than an ex officio member— (a) shall hold office for two years from the effective date of his appointment, and shall be eligible for re-appointment; (b) may resign his office by giving one month's notice in writing to the Minister.

Section 4Verify source

§ 5Allowances of members of the CommitteeProvision

Committee members, except ex officio members, are to be paid allowances set by the Minister.

5. Allowances of members of the Committee A member of the Committee , other than an ex officio member, shall be paid such allowances as the Minister may determine.

Section 5Verify source

§ 6Meetings of the CommitteeProvision

The Committee must meet at least six times a year, and the Chairman may or must convene extraordinary meetings in specified cases. Meeting quorum is six members, the presiding person has a casting vote on a tie, members with a personal, proprietary, or pecuniary interest must disclose it and may not take part or vote, and absent members may submit written views but cannot have a vote registered.

6. Meetings of the Committee (1) The Committee shall hold its ordinary meetings at least six times a year. (2) An extraordinary meeting of the Committee — (a) may be convened by the Chairman at any time; (b) shall be convened by the Chairman within fourteen days of receipt by him of a request in writing signed by any two members of the Committee , and specifying the purpose for which an extraordinary meeting of the Committee is to be convened. (3) At any meeting of the Committee — (a) the quorum necessary for the dispatch of business shall be formed by any six members; (b) the Chairman, or in his absence the member elected by members present and forming the quorum, shall preside; (c) the decision on any subject shall be that of the majority of members present and voting and, in the event of a tie in the votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote in addition to his deliberative vote; (d) a member who is aware that he has a personal, proprietary or pecuniary interest in any matter which is to be or is being considered by the Committee shall declare the interest to the Chairman or other person presiding, and shall not be entitled to participate in the deliberations of the Committee or to vote on that matter; and (e) a member who is unable to attend the meeting may submit to the Committee , in writing, his views on any matter before the Committee but shall not be entitled to have his vote registered on any matter considered at that meeting.

Section 6Verify source

§ 7Functions of the CommitteeProvision

The Committee must review applications for export processing zones and export product production or manufacture, and make recommendations to the Minister.

7. Functions of the Committee (1) The Committee shall be responsible for appraising and reviewing applications for the establishment and operation of export processing zones and the production or manufacture of export products, and making appropriate recommendations to the Minister. (2) In making recommendations to the Minister regarding any application, the Committee shall have regard to the following considerations— (a) labour intensive activities of the project and its propensity to contribute to employment; (b) use of advanced technology; (c) utilization of local raw materials; (d) export -oriented activities other than the production for export of tobacco, tea, coffee, and sugar; (e) the availability of sufficient warehouses for storage of raw materials and export products; (f) documentary evidence of export markets for the export products.

Section 7Verify source

Part III

Declaration of export processing zones export products

§ 8Declarations of export processing zonesProvision

The Minister may, on the Committee’s recommendation and by Gazette notice, declare certain land or factories to be export processing zones.

8. Declarations of export processing zones The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Committee , for the purpose of attracting, promoting or increasing the manufacture of export products or with the object of promoting economic development generally, by notice published in the Gazette , declare— (a) any area of land on which a factory has been or is being or is likely to be built; (b) any factory; (c) any area of land which immediately surrounds a factory or the plot on which a factory is being or is likely to be built, to be an export processing zone .

Section 8Verify source

§ 9Declaration of export productsProvision

A company may apply in the prescribed form, and the Minister may declare certain export items or services to be export products by Gazette notice.

9. Declaration of export products Where, upon application by a company in the prescribed form, the Minister considers it expedient in the economic interest of Malawi so to do, he may, on the recommendation of the Committee , by notice published in the Gazette , declare— (a) any manufactured article, substance or other item intended for export , other than tobacco, tea, coffee or sugar; or (b) any service, to be an export product .

Section 9Verify source

§ 10Issuance of certificatesProvision

A qualifying company may get an export enterprise certificate from the Minister if it applies in the prescribed form, pays the prescribed fee, and the Minister considers it expedient on the Committee’s recommendation.

10. Issuance of certificates (1) Where, upon application by a company which manufactures or provides, or proposes to manufacture or provide, an export product , the Minister, on the recommendation of the Committee , considers it expedient in light of such rules and regulations relating to exports as may be prescribed— (a) upon payment of the prescribed fees, issue to that company an export enterprise certificate , subject to such terms and conditions as he thinks fit to impose; and (b) by notice published in the Gazette , declare the company to be an export enterprise for so long as the certificate remains in force. (2) Every application made pursuant to subsection (1) shall be in the prescribed form and be accompanied by the prescribed fee. (3) Where an application has been made pursuant to subsection (1), the Minister shall communicate his decision within forty-five days from the date of receipt of the application. (4) A certificate shall be in the prescribed form and shall specify— (a) the production day of the export enterprise ; (b) the export product which the export enterprise is or will be manufacturing; (c) the scheduled equipment required by the export enterprise for equipping and operating the enterprise; (d) the scheduled materials required by the export enterprise for the manufacture of export products; (e) that company export enterprise shall be domiciled in Malawi; (f) such other term or condition as the Minister may deem appropriate. (5) A certificate shall be valid for a period of five years and may thereafter be renewed for successive periods of two years. [7 of 2013]

Section 10Verify source

§ 11Amendment of certificateSubstitution

The Minister may amend an export enterprise’s certificate, or conditions attached to it, by written notice, but not in a way that leaves the enterprise worse off.

11. Amendment of certificate (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Minister may, by notice in writing addressed to the export enterprise , at any time amend any certificate or any condition attached to a certificate . (2) No amendment shall be made to a certificate so as to place an export enterprise in a less favourable position than it was prior to the amendment of the certificate . (3) Where the Minister amends a certificate by substituting for the production day specified another earlier or later production day , this Act shall have effect in relation to that certificate as if the production day so specified had been originally specified.

Section 11Verify source

§ 12Revocation of certificateProvision

The Minister may require an export enterprise to explain why its certificate should not be revoked, and must revoke it if the required conditions are met.

12. Revocation of certificate (1) Where the Minister, on the recommendation of the Committee is satisfied that an export enterprise has contravened this Act or any condition attached to a certificate , he may, by notice in writing, require the export enterprise , within thirty days from the date of the service of the notice, to show cause why the certificate should not be revoked, and where the Minister, on the recommendation of the Committee is satisfied that having regard to all the circumstances the certificate should be revoked, he shall do so. (2) Where a certificate is revoked under subsection (1), the Minister shall specify the date from which the revocation shall become operative and this Act shall from that date cease to have effect in relation to the certificate so revoked. [7 of 2013]

Section 12Verify source

§ 13Register of certificatesProvision

Every certificate issued under this Act must be entered in a Register in the prescribed form.

13. Register of certificates Every certificate issued under this Act shall be recorded in a Register in the prescribed form.

Section 13Verify source

Part IV

Restrictions on carrying on business in export processing zones

§ 14Restrictions on carrying on business in export processing zonesProvision

A person must not carry on trade, business, or manufacturing in an export processing zone unless a certificate authorizing that activity exists.

14. Restrictions on carrying on business in export processing zones No person shall carry on, in an export processing zone , any trade, business or manufacturing, unless there is in relation to such trade, business or manufacturing, a certificate authorizing the carrying on of such trade, business or manufacturing.

Section 14Verify source

§ 15Restriction on tradingProvision

An export enterprise must not carry on any trade or business other than what is specified in its certificate.

15. Restriction on trading No export enterprise shall carry on any trade or business other than that specified in its certificate . Part IVA – Goods within export processing zones

Section 15Verify source

§ 15ASection 15AProvision

Raw materials moved from the customs area into an export processing zone are treated as exported from Malawi and paid for in freely convertible currency; goods moved from an export processing zone into the customs area for use there are treated as imported and paid for in Malawi Kwacha.

15A. Goods deemed to be exported and imported into Malawi Unless otherwise provided under this Act or under any other written law— (a) raw materials which are taken out from any part of the customs area and brought into the export processing zone shall be deemed to have been exported from Malawi and shall be paid for in freely convertible currency; and (b) goods which are brought out of an export processing zone and taken into any part of the customs area for use therein shall be deemed to be imported but shall be paid for in Malawi Kwacha. [7 of 2013] Part IVB – Benefits to export enterprises

Section 15AVerify source

§ 15BBenefits accruing to export enterprisesProvision

Export enterprises are entitled to benefits set out under specified tax, customs, VAT, exchange control, or other written laws, but some goods cannot be imported duty-free and VAT-free.

15B. Benefits accruing to export enterprises (1) An export enterprise shall be entitled to such benefits as may be specified under — (a) the Taxation Act; [Cap. 41:01] (b) the Customs and Excise Act; [Cap. 42:01] (c) the Value Added Tax Act; [Cap. 42:02] (d) the Exchange Control Act; or [Cap. 45:01] (e) any other written law. (2) The following goods shall not be imported free of import duty and value added tax by an export enterprise — (a) a vehicle not used solely within an export processing zone and, in any case, a passenger car or a mini bus; (b) fuel for use in generators and boilers, in quantities and subject to such conditions as the Commissioner-General may, from time to time, determine; and (c) spare parts for motor vehicles, including tyres. [7 of 2013]

Section 15BVerify source

§ 15CRestriction on quantities of export products to be sold locallyProvision

An export enterprise may sell export products in Malawi, but only up to prescribed percentages and subject to payment of the appropriate duty, excise, and tax.

15C. Restriction on quantities of export products to be sold locally (1) An export enterprise may sell an export product in Malawi, but the quantities of the products to be sold shall not exceed percentages prescribed under this Act or on a certificate issued under this Act. (2) Any sale effected pursuant to subsection (1) shall be subject to payment of the appropriate duty excise and tax. [7 of 2013]

Section 15CVerify source

Part V

Duty

§ 16Duty reliefProvision

An export enterprise may avoid paying duty on qualifying goods if they are moved directly to a bonded factory or export processing zone and placed there under conditions set by the Commissioner-General.

16. Duty relief (1) Where an export enterprise imports or purchases any dutiable goods to be used in a bonded factory or export processing zone , no duty shall be paid on the goods if the goods are transported directly and forthwith to a bonded factory or export processing zone and placed there under such conditions as the Commissioner-General may impose. (2) The Commissioner-General may require an export enterprise to enter into a bond in the prescribed form, in such amount as he may determine, whereby the export enterprise undertakes to obtain, receive, keep, use or dispose of scheduled equipment or scheduled materials only in accordance with conditions specified in its certificate or this Act, or the Customs and Excise Act. [Cap. 42:01] [7 of 2013]

Section 16Verify source

§ 17Removal of goods from a bonded factoryOffence

Some goods and equipment cannot be removed from a bonded factory or export processing zone unless the specified authorization, approval, or directions are obtained.

17. Removal of goods from a bonded factory (1) No scheduled equipment shall be removed from a bonded factory or an export processing zone , except with the written authorization of the Commissioner-General . (2) No scheduled materials or export product shall be removed from a bonded factory or an export processing zone except— (a) for the purpose of being exported; (b) for transfer to another bonded factory or export processing zone ; with the permission and according to the directions of the Commissioner-General ; (c) for consumption in Malawi with the approval of the Minister and subject to the payment of the appropriate duty ; (d) for destruction in such manner as the Commissioner-General may direct. (3) Any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse— (a) removes any scheduled equipment , scheduled materials or export product from a bonded factory ; (b) is found in possession of any scheduled equipment , scheduled materials or export product outside a bonded factory or export processing zone , shall be guilty of an offence. [7 of 2013]

Section 17Verify source

§ 18Payment of dutyProvision

An export enterprise must pay duty on goods missing from a bonded factory, unless the Commissioner-General remits some or all of it because the loss was due to reasonable wastage, unavoidable breakage, leakage, or another accident.

18. Payment of duty (1) Where there is in any bonded factory a deficiency in the quantity of dutiable scheduled equipment or scheduled materials which ought to be found there, the export enterprise shall, without prejudice to any other proceedings under this Act or any other written law, be liable to pay to the Commissioner-General the duty leviable on the goods not satisfactorily accounted for. (2) Where the Commissioner-General is satisfied that the deficiency has been caused by reasonable wastage or unavoidable breakage, leakage or other accident, he may remit the whole or any part of the duty leviable on the goods found deficient. (3) The Commissioner-General shall, by notice in writing, require an export enterprise to pay any duty under this section and the duty shall be paid within thirty days of the issue of the notice. [7 of 2013]

Section 18Verify source

Part VI

Miscellaneous

§ 19Enforcement officersOffence

The Minister may appoint enforcement officers, and those officers may enter specified facilities and demand information to check compliance. Obstructing them or refusing required information without reasonable excuse is an offence.

19. Enforcement officers (1) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette , designate any public officer or class of public officers to be enforcement officers for the purposes of this Act. (2) Any enforcement officer may, at all reasonable and, if so required, on showing proof of his identity, enter any export processing zone or bonded factory for the purpose of ensuring that the provisions of this Act are being complied with. (3) Any enforcement officer may require an export enterprise or any person who is director, secretary or other officer of an export enterprise to furnish him with any information concerning the business or activities of the export enterprise . (4) Any person who wilfully obstructs or hinders an enforcement officer acting in the exercise of his functions under this section or, without reasonable excuse, fails or refuses to give to an enforcement officer any information required of him under this section shall be guilty of an offence.

Section 19Verify source

§ 20Offences and penaltiesOffence

A person who makes a false or misleading material statement, keeps false or misleading export-enterprise records, or otherwise breaches the Act commits an offence and may be fined or imprisoned.

20. Offences and penalties Any person who— (a) in any application, declaration or statement made for the purposes of this Act, makes a statement which is false or misleading in any material particular; (b) keeps any record or account relating to an export enterprise which is false or misleading; or (c) otherwise contravenes any provision of this Act, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine or administrative penalty of the equivalent of ten per cent of the annual turnover of the business and to imprisonment for five years. [7 of 2013]

Section 20Verify source

§ 21RegulationsInterpretation

21. Regulations (1) The Minister may after consultation with the Committee make rules for the proper establishment and administration of the export processing zones including— (a) the procedure for application, issuance, revocation or cancellation of an export processing zones certificate ; (b) prescribing the fees to be paid in respect of any matter or thing done under this Act or the Regulations; (c) prescribing the forms to be used under this Act and the conditions to be complied with in applying for an export processing zones certificate ; (d) providing for the time frame within which specific obligation shall be carried out; (e) the procedure for the imposition of a penalty by the Committee for breaches of the Act or any subsidiary legislation; and (f) providing anything which, under this Act, may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding the provision of section 21 (e) of the General Interpretation Act, a person who commits an offence against any provision of subsidiary legislation made under subsection (1), shall be liable to a fine or penalty not exceeding K20,000,000 and to imprisonment not exceeding one year. [Cap. 1:01] [7 of 2013]

Section 21Verify source

Legislative relationships

3 referenced instruments

Names are derived from the stored provision headings and citation-enrichment layer. Treat this as a research index and verify each relationship against the source text.

A–F

1 instrument

Committee is satisfied that an export enterprise has contravened this Act
Section 12

G–M

2 instruments

General Interpretation Act
Section 21
Malawi Revenue Authority appointed under section 17 (1) of the Malawi Revenue Authority Act
Section 2

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31 Dec 2014 · currentEnglish

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