Circular No. 2017-09 of the Central Bank of Tunisia to Approved Intermediaries dated October 27, 2017

Central Bank of Tunisia

Tunis, October 27, 2017

CIRCULAR TO APPROVED INTERMEDIARIES No. 2017-09

SUBJECT: Conditions for financing the importation of non-priority products.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia;

Having regard to the Exchange and Foreign Trade Code promulgated by Law No. 76-18 of January 21, 1976, as amended by subsequent texts, and notably Law No. 93-48 of May 3, 1993;

Having regard to Law No. 2016-35 of April 25, 2016 fixing the status of the Central Bank of Tunisia;

Having regard to Law No. 2016-48 of July 11, 2016 relating to banks and financial institutions;

Having regard to Decree No. 77-608 of July 27, 1977 fixing the conditions for the application of the aforementioned Exchange and Foreign Trade Code, as amended by subsequent texts, and notably Decree No. 93-1696 of August 16, 1993;

Having regard to Circular No. 94-14 of September 14, 1994 relating to the financial settlement of imports and exports of goods, as amended by subsequent texts.

Having regard to the correspondence from the Minister of Commerce dated October 25, 2017 regarding products considered non-priority,

Having regard to the opinion of the compliance control committee No. 2017-08 of October 27, 2017, as provided for by Article 42 of Law No. 2016-35 of April 25, 2016 fixing the status of the Central Bank of Tunisia;

Decides:

Article 1: Approved intermediaries may not make financial facilities available to their clients for the financing of the importation of products considered non-priority, as listed in the annex to this circular, except upon the establishment by importers of deposits of their own funds covering the total value of the intended imports.

Article 2: The financial facilities referred to in Article 1 of this circular include all financing, whether in the form of credits, advances, documentary credits, and other bank or other guarantees.

The own funds referred to in Article 1 of this circular are funds deposited in cash by the importer with the approved intermediary in accordance with current legislation.

Article 3: The following operations are excluded from the scope of application of the provisions of this circular:

• Operations relating to products imported under public contracts for the benefit of the State, companies and public establishments, and local authorities.

• Operations relating to imports that have led to the approved intermediary taking commitments to grant financial facilities, the execution of which was effectively started before the date of entry into force of this circular.

Article 4: This circular enters into force as of the date of its notification.

The Governor,

Chedly AYARI

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Nomenclature	NGP	Description
0305	030541	Smoked fish, including fillets, other than fish offal for human consumption
0406	040630	Processed cheese, other than grated or powdered
0406	040640	Blue-veined cheese and other cheeses with veining obtained using Penicillium roqueforti
0406	040690	Other cheese
0406	040620	Grated or powdered cheese, of all types
0409	040900	Natural honey
0603	0603	Flowers and flower buds, cut, for bouquets or for ornamentation, fresh, dried, bleached, dyed, impregnated or otherwise prepared
0801	0801	Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled
0802	080211	Almonds, fresh or dried, in shell
0802	080212	Almonds, fresh or dried, shelled, whether or not peeled
0802	080251	Pistachios, in shell, fresh or dried
0802	080252	Pistachios, shelled, fresh or dried
0803	080390	Bananas, fresh or dried
0804	080410	Dates, fresh or dried
0804	080420	Figs, fresh or dried
0804	080430	Pineapples, fresh or dried
0804	080440	Avocados, fresh or dried
0804	080450	Guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried
0806	080610	Grapes, fresh
0806	080620	Grapes, dried
0807	080711	Watermelons, fresh
0807	080719	Melons, fresh (excl. watermelons)
0809	080910	Apricots, fresh
0809	080930	Peaches, incl. nectarines, fresh
0809	080940	Plums and sloes, fresh
0810	081050	Kiwifruit, fresh
0810	081070	Persimmons, fresh
0810	081090	Tamarinds, cashew apples, breadfruit, lychees, sapodillas, passion fruit, carambolas and pitahayas

Page 1 of 8

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Nomenclature	NGP	Description
0811	081120	Raspberries, blackberries, loganberries, mulberries and gooseberries
1206	120600	Sunflower seeds, whether or not broken
1604	160413	Sardines, sardinelles and sprats
1604	160414	Tunas, bonito and skipjack tuna (Sarda spp.)
1605	1605	Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved
1704	1704	Sugar confectionery not containing cocoa (including white chocolate)
1806	180631	Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, in blocks, slabs or bars, filled*..
1806	180632	Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, in blocks, slabs or bars, unfilled, with added cereals, nuts or other fruits *.
1806	180690	Other -- Chocolate and chocolate articles
1902	1902	Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed (with meat or other substances) or otherwise prepared, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared
1903	1903	Tapioca and its substitutes prepared from starch, in the form of flakes, grains, pearls, sifted or in similar forms
1904	1904	Cereal products obtained by puffing or roasting ("corn flakes", for example); cereals (other than maize) in grain or flaked or in other worked forms (except flour and semolina), precooked or otherwise prepared, not elsewhere specified or included
1905	190531	Biscuits with added sweeteners; waffles and wafers
1905	190532	Waffles and wafers
1905	190540	Toasted bread and similar toasted products
1905	190590	Bakery products, pastry or biscuit products, even with added cocoa
2001	2001	VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
2003	2003	MUSHROOMS
2004	2004	OTHER VEGETABLES PREPARED OR CONSERVED OTHERWISE THAN BY VINEGAR OR ACETIC ACID, FROZEN
2005	2005	OTHER VEGETABLES PREPARED OR CONSERVED OTHERWISE THAN BY VINEGAR OR ACETIC ACID, NOT FROZEN
2006	2006	VEGETABLES, FRUITS, PEELS OF FRUITS AND OTHER PARTS OF PLANTS, PRESERVED BY SUGAR (DRAINED, GLAZED OR CRYSTALLIZED)
2007	2007	JAMS, JELLIES, MARMALADES, FRUIT PURÉES AND FRUIT PASTES, COOKED
2008	2008	FRUITS AND OTHER EDIBLE PARTS OF PLANTS PREPARED OR CONSERVED OTHERWISE
2009	2009	Juices
2103	2103	Sauces and preparations therefor; mixed condiments and mixed seasonings;
2104	2104	PREPARATIONS FOR SOUPS, BROTHS OR BROTHS, PREPARED, FOOD PREPARATIONS

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Nomenclature	NGP	Description
2105	2105	ICE CREAM AND OTHER EDIBLE ICE, WHETHER OR NOT CONTAINING COCOA*
2201	2201	WATERS, INCLUDING NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL MINERAL WATERS AND AERATED WATERS, NOT SUGARED OR OTHERWISE FLAVORED
2202	220210	Waters, incl. mineral waters and aerated waters
2202	220290	Non-alcoholic beverages (excl. waters, fruit or vegetable juices and milk)
2203	220300	Malt beer
2204	220410	Sparkling wine made from fresh grapes
2204	220421	Wine of fresh grapes, incl. fortified wines
2205	220510	Vermouths and other wines of fresh grapes prepared with plants
2206	220600	Cider, perry, mead and other fermented beverages;
2207	220710	Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of >= 80% vol
2207	220720	Denatured ethyl alcohol and spirits of all strengths
2208	220820	Spirits of wine or grape marc
2208	220830	Whiskies
2208	220840	Rum and other spirits obtained by distillation,
2208	220850	Gin and geneva
2208	220860	Vodka
2208	220870	Liqueurs
3208	320810	Paints and varnishes based on polyester resins, dispersed
3208	320820	Paints and varnishes based on acrylic polymers
3208	320890	Paints and varnishes based on polymer resins
3209	320910	Paints and varnishes based on polymer resins
3303	330300	Perfumes and toilet waters
3304	330410	Makeup preparations for the lips
3304	330420	Makeup preparations for the eyes
3304	330430	Preparations for manicures or pedicures
3304	330491	Powders for makeup or care
3304	330499	Prepared beauty or makeup products and preparations
3305	330510	Shampoos

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Nomenclature	NGP	Description
3305	330520	Preparations for permanent waving or straightening
3305	330530	Hair lacquers
3305	330590	Hair preparations (excl. shampoos,
3306	330610	Toothpastes, prepared, incl. those used by dentists
3306	330690	Preparations for oral or dental hygiene,
3307	330710	Preparations for pre-shaving, shaving or after-shaving
3307	330720	Deodorants and antiperspirants, prepared
3307	330730	Perfumed salts and other bath preparations
3401	340120	SOAP IN OTHER FORMS*
3401	340130	OTHER SOAP IN OTHER FORMS*
3402	340220	ORGANIC SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS (PREPARATIONS PACKAGED FOR RETAIL SALE*
3402	340290	OTHER ORGANIC SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS (OTHER THAN SOAPS)
3924	392410	- Tableware and other household articles for table or kitchen service*
3924	392490	- Other*
3926	392640	- Statuettes and other ornamental articles*
3926	392690	- Other*
4202	420221	- Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, incl. those without handle: -- with outer surface of natural leather or reconstituted leather
4202	420222	-- With outer surface of sheets of plastic material or textile materials
4202	420231	- Pocketbooks or handbag articles with outer surface of natural leather, reconstituted leather*
4202	420232	-- With outer surface of sheets of plastic material or ma-
4202	420292	-- with outer surface of sheets of plastic material
4202	420299	-- other Clothing and clothing accessories of natural or reconstituted leather
4414	441400	Wooden frames for paintings, photographs, mirrors or similar objects:
4418	441810	Windows, french windows and their frames and casings
4418	441820	Doors and their frames, casings and thresholds
4418	441840	Formwork for concrete
4418	441850	Shingles ("shingles" and "shakes")
4418	441872	-- Other, multilayer

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Nomenclature	NGP	Description
4418	441879	-- Other assembled panels for floor covering, wood*
4817	481710	Envelopes
4817	481720	Letter cards, unillustrated postcards and cards for correspondence
4817	481730	Boxes, pockets and similar presentations, in paper or cardboard, containing an assortment of correspondence articles
4818	481810	Toilet paper
4818	481820	Handkerchiefs, makeup removing towels and hand towels
4818	481830	Tablecloths and napkins
4818	481850	Clothing and clothing accessories made of paper
4819	481910	Boxes and cases of corrugated paper or cardboard*
4819	481920	Boxes and cartons, folding, of paper or cardboard not corrugated:
4819	481930	Bags with a base width of 40 cm or more*
4819	481940	Other bags; sachets, pockets other than those for discs) and cones
4819	481950	Other packaging, incl. pockets for discs*
4819	481960	Office, shop or similar cartons*
4820	482010	Registers, account books, notebooks (of notes, orders, receipts), memo pads, letter paper pads, diaries and similar works
4820	482020	Notebooks*
4820	482030	Binders, bindings (other than book covers), folders and cover files
4820	482040	Sets and manifold notebooks, even with carbon paper sheets
4820	482050	Albums for sampling or collections:
4820	482090	Other*
4823	482361	Trays, plates, dishes, cups, glasses and similar articles, of paper or cardboardEn bamboo*
4823	482369	-- other:
4823	482370	- Articles molded or pressed from paper pulp:
4823	482390	- Other:
5701	5701	Textile carpets, knotted or looped, whether or not made up
5702	5702	Carpets known as 'kelim' or 'kilim', 'schumacks' or 'soumak', 'Karamanie' and similar hand-woven carpets
5703	5703	Carpets and other floor coverings, of wool or fine animal hair, tufted, whether or not made up

Page 5 of 8

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Nomenclature	NGP	Description
5704	5704	Carpets and other floor coverings, of felt, not tufted or flocked, whether or not made up
5705	5705	Carpets and other floor coverings of textile materials, whether or not made up
6402	6402	Other footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or
6403	6403	Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastic material,
6404	6404	Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastic material,
6405	6405	Other footwear:
6802	680221	Other dimension stone or construction stone and works of these stones, simply cut or sawn and with a flat or smooth surface
6802	680223	Granite and works of granite simply cut or sawn and with a flat or smooth surface
6802	680229	-- Other stones
6802	680291	-- Other Marble, travertine and alabaster
6802	680292	Other limestone stones otherwise worked and other works of these stones
6802	680293	Granite, polished, decorated or otherwise worked, but not sculpted, with a net weight equal to or greater than 10 kg and works of granite otherwise worked
6802	680299	-- Other stones
6908	690810	- Tiles, cubes, pavers and similar articles, even of other than square or rectangular shape
6908	690890	- Other Tiles, cubes, pavers and similar articles, even of other than square or rectangular shape
6910	691010	water closets, flush tanks, urinals and
6910	691090	similar fixed sanitary appliances, of ceramic
6911	691110	Tableware, other household or economy articles
6911	691190	domestic and hygiene or toilet articles, in
6912	691200	Tableware, other household or economy articles ,,,ceramic, other than porcelain
6913	6913	STATUETTES AND OTHER ORNAMENTAL OBJECTS OF CERAMICS*
6914	691410	Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, packaging
6914	691490	tubular, ampoules and other transport containers
7004	700490	absorbent, reflective or non-reflective, but
7013	701310	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7013	701322	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7013	701328	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7013	701333	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7013	701337	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses

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Nomenclature	NGP	Description
7013	701341	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7013	701342	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7013	701349	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7013	701391	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7013	701399	Glass articles for table, kitchen, toilet, office, apartment decoration or similar uses
7323	732310	Iron or steel wool; scouring pads, cloths, gloves and articles
7323	732391	Other Cast iron, unenameled
7323	732392	Other Cast iron, enameled:
7323	732393	Other stainless steel
7323	732394	Other iron or steel, enameled
7323	732399	Other tableware, household or domestic economy articles
7411	741110	Tubes and pipes Refined copper
7326	732690	Ladders and stepladders, of iron or steel, Box bottoms of tinplate
7610	761010	Doors, windows and their frames, casings and thresholds, of aluminium-
7616	761699	Other stepladders of aluminium*..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................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