What is a trade licence?
A trade licence is the legal authorisation required by any non-national individual or foreign-owned company that wishes to conduct trade or business in Saint Lucia. It is issued under the Trade Licence Act, Cap. 13.04 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia. Saint Lucian citizens and CARICOM nationals are generally exempt.
Who needs to apply?
You must obtain a trade licence if you are a non-national individual, or a company that is majority foreign-owned (non-CARICOM controlled), and you intend to:
A. New trade licence application.
- Complete the application form. Fill in every section of the Trade Licence (New) Application Form. Incomplete forms will not be processed.
- Prepare your supporting documents. Gather the documents listed below. All documents must be in English and all currency figures quoted in East Caribbean Dollars (EC$).
- Submit your application. Deliver the form and documents to the Secretary, Trade Licence Advisory Board, Department of Commerce, 4th Floor, Heraldine Rock Building, Waterfront, Castries, at least five working days before the scheduled Board meeting.
- Review, approval and payment. The Board reviews the application and makes a recommendation to the Minister, who grants final approval. You then pay the licence fee and the licence is issued.
Required supporting documents
| Required document | Details |
|---|---|
| Bank reference letter | From your bank in your country of origin and/or a local Saint Lucian bank |
| Character reference | For each major shareholder and/or director |
| Business concept note | One to two pages outlining the nature and scope of your business |
| Passport bio page | Notarised copy for each shareholder and/or director |
| Certificate of Good Standing | Required if the applicant is a registered company |
| Sectoral agency approvals | Where required, for example tourism, food service, health or construction |
Review and approval stages
| Stage | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Application reviewed by the Trade Licence Advisory Board at its next scheduled meeting |
| 2 | Board makes a formal recommendation to the Minister responsible for Commerce |
| 3 | Minister grants final approval |
| 4 | Applicant is notified and issued a payment instruction |
| 5 | Licence fee paid to the Accountant General of Saint Lucia |
| 6 | Trade licence issued for the calendar year (1 January – 31 December) |
B. Trade licence renewal.
Foreign-owned or non-CARICOM businesses holding a trade licence must renew it every year to remain in lawful operation.
- Complete the renewal application form. Obtain the form from the Department and complete every section. Declare any change to your scope of business.
- Obtain current statutory compliance documents. See the table below. Outdated letters will defer your application to the next Board meeting.
- Submit your renewal. Deliver it to the Secretary, Trade Licence Advisory Board, at least five working days before the Board meeting.
- Approval and payment. Renewals follow the same approval process as new applications. After ministerial approval, pay the annual fee to the Accountant General.
| Statutory body | Document required |
|---|---|
| Department of Labour | Compliance letter confirming adherence to labour laws and work permit requirements |
| Inland Revenue Department (IRD) | Compliance letter confirming all tax obligations are current |
| National Insurance Corporation (NIC) | Compliance letter confirming all NIC contributions are up to date |
| Registry of Companies | Current Certificate of Good Standing |
Your legal obligations as a licence holder.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need a trade licence if I am a Saint Lucian citizen?
No. Saint Lucian citizens are not required to obtain a trade licence under the Trade Licence Act. CARICOM nationals are also generally exempt.
My company is registered in Saint Lucia but majority owned by foreign nationals. Do I need a licence?
Yes. If your company is under “alien control” as defined by the Aliens (Licensing) Act No. 20 of 2002, a trade licence is required regardless of where the company is registered.
What does “alien control” mean?
A company is under alien control if it is majority owned or controlled by persons who are not CARICOM nationals, as defined under the Aliens (Licensing) Act No. 20 of 2002.
How long does it take to get a trade licence?
It depends on the Board’s meeting schedule and the completeness of your application. The Board meets monthly, and applications must be submitted at least five working days before the meeting. Contact the Department for the current meeting schedule.
What happens if I operate without a trade licence?
Operating without a licence when one is required violates the Trade Licence Act, Cap. 13.04 and may result in penalties. Make sure you are licensed before commencing operations.
When does my licence expire?
All trade licences expire on 31 December of the year in which they are issued and must be renewed each year.
Can someone operate a business on my behalf without a licence?
No. Section 3(3) of the Act prohibits any person from engaging in trade on behalf of a non-CARICOM national or a foreign-controlled company without the required authorisation.
Can the annual licence fee be waived?
Under Section 8(3) of the Act, Cabinet may reduce or waive the prescribed fee in the public interest. This is decided case by case and is not guaranteed.
My renewal compliance letters have expired. What should I do?
Obtain updated compliance letters before submitting your renewal. Outdated documents will result in your application being deferred to the next Board meeting.
Where do I pay the licence fee?
The annual fee of EC$1,000.00 is paid to the Accountant General of Saint Lucia after the Minister approves your application.
I am changing my business activities. Do I need to notify the Board?
Yes. Declare any change in your scope of business on your Renewal Application Form, with a description of the change and any updated business documentation.
Fees and cost estimator.
See the published costs of registering, licensing and importing, estimate an MSME grant, or prepare a duty-concession item list.
Trade licence forms and brochure.
The fillable forms published on the Department’s previous website. Confirm with the Secretary of the Board that you have the current version before submitting.