Licences and permits
Companies and individuals must hold a licence or permit from the Forestry Division before harvesting, transporting or exporting forest produce.
This page describes the licences, procedures and fees as previously published by the Forestry Division. Check current requirements with the Ministry before applying; see maf.gov.sl.
Licences and permits issued
- Timber Licence
- Minor Forest Produce Licence
- Protected Tree Licence (to fell a protected tree)
- Clearance Licence
- Fuelwood/Charcoal Production Permit
- Fuelwood/Charcoal Transport Permit
- Export Permit (timber or charcoal)
- Import Permit
How to apply
- Check the requirements in the user guidelines for the right you are applying for.
- Complete the application form for that licence or permit.
- Send the application, with the required fees, to the relevant Licence Officer.
Fees
In addition to the application fee, holders pay a forest stumpage fee, reforestation fee, training fee, minor forest produce fee, grazing fee, and royalties to land owners or the Chiefdom Administration as applicable.
Concessions
An area of national forest can be exploited under a utilisation or plantation concession for an area under 10 square miles and/or a total round wood yield or allowable cut under 2,500 cubic metres. Invitations to tender are published in Sierra Leone newspapers, and investors are allowed at least thirty days to submit an application.
Applicants for a Concession Agreement must submit a GPS survey of the intended operational area, so that concessions do not overlap and no exploitation takes place inside protected areas or national parks.
Guidance and forms
- User guidelines and checklists for forestry rights
- Fees and royalties schedule
- Application for Timber Licence
- Application for a Minor Forest Produce Licence
- Application to fell a protected tree
- Application for Clearance Licence
- Application for Fuelwood/Charcoal Production Permit
- Application for Fuelwood/Charcoal Transport Permit
- Application for permit to export timber
- Application for permit to export charcoal