Renewal of Licences 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE – GUYANA FORESTRY COMMISSION

ATTENTION: FOREST SECTOR OPERATORS (FSOs)

RENEWAL OF 2025 LICENCES; ISSUANCE OF NEW LICENCES

The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) advises all Forest Sector Operators (FSOs) that it is receiving applications for renewals of, and issuance of the 2025 licenses.

These licences include:

1. Timber Dealers’ Licence

2. Sawmill Licence

3. Firewood Dealers’ Licence

4. Charcoal Dealers’ Licence

5. Sawpit Licence

6. Timber Path Licence

7. Timber Depot Licence

8. Timber Grading Licence

9. Consolidated Log Export Licence

10. Import Licence

11. Export Licence

Application forms and additional information on the requirements needed are available at the GFC Head Office and Forest Stations countrywide, or on the GFC website: www.forestry.gov.gy

Renewal applications must be submitted by the 31st December, 2024 to any GFC Forest Office countrywide, or Head Office- 1Water Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Tel: +592-22671/4

Website: www.forestry.gov.gy

For renewal of 2025 licenses, the following supporting information is required:

  1. Name of Stakeholder/person (s) authorized to make application, contact details, company or business registration, or Identification Card if an individual, and proof of address.
  2. Copy of Tax Identification Number (TIN) Certificate
  3. Police clearance for first time applicants
  4. NIS Compliance
  5. GRA Compliance or Lodgment Receipt of Return 
  6. The relevant proof of ownership or legal occupation of the property on which the business/operations would be conducted.
  7. Applications for timber dealers (Lumber Yard) & sawmill licenses must be accompanied by:
    • Permission letter (Permit) from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC)/ Regional Democratic Council (RDC) or Town Council where applicable
    • Environmental Permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for operating such a business on the prescribed location(s).
    • Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) for operating such a business on the prescribed location(s)
    • Public Health and Safety Certificate
  8. Sawmill and Lumber Yard operators must ensure all their returns have been submitted to the GFC.

Additionally, the storage of lumber on parapets or roadways or encumbering of access is not allowed.

Please note that submitting an application and payment of application fees does not give permission for commencing any business/operations.

All license fees must be fully paid and licence uplifted before the commencement of any business/operations.

Persons/Companies that have been leased Small Concessions (State Forest Permission (SFP))  and owners of private property intending to produce chain saw lumber must have a valid sawpit licence before they can commence production or collect removal permits. Please note that your sawpit applications must include the type/model and serial numbers of the chainsaws intended to be use for the operation.

The GFC advises that it will not process applications for applicants who seek to operate on locations previously deemed unauthorized.

Further, the GFC advises that the Code of Practice for Wood Processing Operations has been gazetted and thus the GFC will monitor the implementation of various aspects of this code. Particular attention must be paid to improving of the quality of lumber being produced and sold locally. In this regard sawmill and lumber yard operators must ensure the proper display of produce, stacking by species, grade and dimension and general improvement in the quality of lumber for sale, and compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines.

The Guyana Forestry Commission will not be responsible for any loss or damages suffered by any person/company for failing to abide by the above conditions.

Guyana Forestry Commission

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