Art. 26 of Law No. 14,133 states that a margin of preference in the bidding process may be established in favor of domestic manufactured goods and services that meet Brazilian technical standards. This margin may be up to 10% on the price of goods and services and also be extended to manufactured goods and services originating in States that are part of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). The article also mentions that in the case of national manufactured goods and national services resulting from development and technological innovation in the country, the margin of preference may be up to 20%.

In December 2007, the Brazilian authorities decided to impose a definitive anti-dumping duty under Resolução No. 66 on imports of loudspeakers (HS codes: 8518.2100, 8518.2200 and 8518.2990) from China. This measure was reviewed and extended in November 2013 and, subsequently, in November 2019 for a period of five years. The rate of duty is ad valorem 78.3% of the CIF value.

Art. 3 (§12) of Law No. 8.666 provides that in the procurements intended for the implementation, maintenance and improvement of the information technology and communication systems, deemed strategic in an act of the federal executive branch, the bidding may be restricted to goods and services with technology developed in Brazil and produced in accordance with the basic productive process dealt with in Law No. 10,176. In April 2021, Brazil approved Law No. 14.133 which, according to its Art. 193, will repeal Law No. 8.666 as of 30 December 2023. Law No. 14.133 contains the same restriction in Art. 26 (§ 7).

Brazil is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).

Belize has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.

Belize has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

According to Art. 194 of the Belize Companies Act, a foreign company that carries on business in Belize shall, at all times, have a Registered Agent in the country. Pursuant Art. 194.2, no person shall act, or agree to act, as the Registered Agent of a foreign company unless that person has obtained a licence from the Financial Services Commission established under the Financial Services Commission Act, or any other applicable enactment. According to Art. 3, a foreign company means a body corporate incorporated, registered or formed outside Belize.

The Electronic Transactions Act provides a comprehensive consumer protection framework that applies to online transactions. In addition, according to Art. 49 of the Electronic Transaction Act, a person using electronic communications to sell goods or services to consumers shall provide accurate, clear, and accessible information about themselves, describe the goods or services offered, and information about the terms, conditions, and costs associated with a transaction, among others.

Belize has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications.

According to Art. 2 of the Direction No. 11, foreign investment must be registered with the Central Bank of Belize (CBB) and obtain an “Approved Status” from the Central Bank to ease inflows and outflows of foreign currency and repatriate funds. It is reported that effective June 2022, the CBB accepts via email all foreign exchange requests requiring approval to expedite the application process and to centralize applicants’ data.

It is reported that the de minimis threshold, that is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, is USD 50.

It is reported that all products that utilize radio frequency and cellular technologies require the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) type approval and certification before import and commercialization. According to Art. 5.1 of Statutory Instrument 152, the PUC may recognize approvals granted by other countries. In addition, according to Art. 5.3 where a licensed telecommunications operator or provider wishes to supply customer premises equipment and related services, it shall be sufficient if that operator or provider attaches a report to the application showing that the equipment has conformed to the acceptance testing requirements or international type approval. Finally, it is reported that Belize does not require in-country testing, local representation, or specific labeling. However, technical documents will be reviewed and validated by the PUC during the approval process.

According to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Resolution no person or entity shall import, install, sell or use any item of Telecommunication equipment in Belize unless the PUC grants a permit in respect of that type of equipment.

According to Art. 4 of Online Gaming Regulations, any person who conducts or intends to conduct any online gaming in or from within Belize shall apply to the Gaming Control Board for a licence to do so in the form prescribe in this regulation.