Shipping Cargo To Africa?

Your Shipment May Require A Waiver Certificate or other Special Documentation

 

   

ANGOLA            

Guinea       

BENIN            

Libya         

BURKINA FASO            

Madagasca 

CAMEROON            

Mali           

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC            

Niger         

CONGO            

Nigeria       

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)            

Senegal      

Democratic Republic of Congo            

Tanzania     

Gabon            

Togo      



To provide the shipping quotation, Please advise:

1) Cargo information such as weight, volume etcs.

2) Pick up address or Port of loading.

3) Trading terms and shipping services.

 

 

Certain African countries require waiver certificates are filed before cargo arrives at the port of delivery. If you are shipping to, or through one of the countries below then your cargo may need a waiver certificate document in order to clear customs and avoid costly fines / seizures.

 

 

 

What Are Waiver Certificates / Cargo Tracking Notes?

 

Waiver certificates (also known as ECTN – Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) are required by certain African countries to effectively control, supervise and manage import / export traffic to the country.

 

Cargo waiver documents have full details of the exporter/ importer, shipping method (containerised, groupage etc), type and value of goods being transported, name of vessel and cost of freight for the shipment. These waivers are dealt with by the importer or exporter and must be filed before the cargo arrives at its port of discharge.

 

Preparing the cargo waiver adds additional costs to the importer or exporter and these costs depend on the type of cargo (20ft, 40ft, Break Bulk etc), number of containers, number of Bills of Lading raised and the country of discharge for the shipment.

 

AI Logistics providing online waiver certificate and cargo tracking note information for cargoes being shipped to the specific African countries which require special documentation.

 

 

 

Angola                                                                        BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to or through Angola requires a loading certificate (CNCA)

 

 

Angolan law requires that all cargo purchased abroad for importation to Angola requires a loading certificate (also known as Waiver / ARC / CNCA Certificate). The loading certificate number (waiver number) much be shown on all documentation related to the cargo shipped under that loading certificate.

 

It is the shipper and/or forwarder’s responsibility to provide the loading certificate number to the ocean carrier at the loading port for inclusion in the manifest and bill of lading.

 

Waiver Control:

  • CNCA (Conselho Nacional de Carregadores) certificate is required for shipments to Angola.

  • Shipper/ forwarder must obtain the loading certificate from a CNCA agent, before loading the cargo.

 

CNCA Angola Rules

Bills of Lading require authorised loading certificate, cargoes without a corresponding certificate will not clear customs and will be issued additional CNCA fines.

 

Loading certificates have specific serial numbers which must be signed, dated and stamped by the authorised CNCA representative.

 

Pre-shipment Inspection:

As of 12th June 2013, the Angolan authorities decided that imported cargo to Angola no longer requires pre-shipment inspection. Shippers should be explicit with cargo descriptions to avoid delays in customs.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Used vehicles more than 3 years old.

  • Heavy vehicles more than 5 years old.

  • Genetically modified or transgenic grains and seeds, unless destined for Food Aid programs.

  • Non-iodized salt.

  • Rubber-made yo-yo water ball toys.

  • Food containing saccharine.

  • Gambling machines prohibited by law, including roulette.

  • Plants coming from areas affected by phylloxera or other epiphytic disease.

  • Pornographic material and other derived products.

  • Medicines and other generic substances harmful to public health.

  • Counterfeit literature and artistic works.

  • Counterfeit stamps.

  • Counterfeit coffee.

  • Live poultry and hatching eggs originated from Asian and European countries, due to outbreaks on highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu disease).

  • Distilled beverages containing essences or recognised harmful products such as absinthe and ether derived products.

  • Crates container various types of merchandise and showing a single marking, not presented with a declaration stipulating the quantity and total weight of crates/packs

  • Animals and by products originated from the following areas affected by epizootics: Meat of swine and by products of swine origin from South Africa due to outbreaks of classical swine fever; Live cloven hoofed animals (bovine animals, buffaloes, goats, swine, sheep, antelopes etc.) and animal products thereof, originated from the State of Mato Grosso in Brazil and its neighbouring states like Mato Grosso,Sao Paolo, Parana, Goias and Minas Gerais, due to outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

 

Restricted Imports:

  • Cigarette papers, and other materials used in cigarette filters – Can only be imported by licence holders.

  • Medicines which containers do not state active agents – cannot be imported without authorisation from the Angolan Health Ministry.

  • Explosives intended for the mining industry.

  • Fireworks and explosives cannot be imported without the authorisation from the Ministry of Interior.

  • Pharmaceutical substances cannot be imported without authorisation from the Health Ministry.

  • Card games must be sealed as per the regulation enforced.

  • Dogs must be immunised against hydrophobia.

  • Weapons and ammunitions cannot be imported without authorisation from the Ministry of Interior.

  • Radio, transmitters, receivers and other devices cannot be imported without aurotisation from the National Post Authorities.

  • Animals and by-products cannot be imported without authorisation from the veterinary entities.

  • Importation of denatured pure alcohol must be approved by the Ministry of Health.

  • Instruments to distil spirits cannot be imported without authorisation from the Cabinet.

 

 

Benin                                                    BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Benin requires a pre-shipment inspection

 

Pre-shipment Inspection:

Benin requires that pre-shipment inspection – PSI (Inention D’Imortation – IDI) is carried out for all imports in to Benin. For the purpose of customs clearance this is undertaken at the port of load country.

 

Pre-shipment Inspections are managed by BIVAC (Bureau Inspection Valuation Assessment Control) International.

 

Minimum Value for Pre-shipment Inspection:

XOF (CFA) 3,000,000 FOB

 

Part Shipments:

Subject to Pre-shipment Inspection if total order value is above minimum order value.

 

Documents Required:

Transport Document, Final Invoice and Packing List are required for all imports to Benin. Other specific documents such as quality certificate and certificate of non-radioactivity may be requested by BIVAC International offices where appropriate.

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Precious stones and metals

  • Objects of art

  • Explosives and pyrotechnic products

  • Weapons and ammunitions

  • Live animals

  • Scrap metals

  • Current newspapers and periodicals

  • Used household and personal effects including a personal vehicle further to a relocation approved by the competent authority in the previous residence

  • Commercial samples

  • Gifts by foreign governments or international organisations to the State, schools and libraries, religious missions, foundations, charities and recognised humanitarian organisations

  • Gifts and supplies to diplomatic and consular missions or United Nation Organisations imported for their own needs

  • Perishable food consumer goods transported at the ambient temperature, cooled or frozen

  • Recorded and developed films for public purposes (35mm)

  • Natural or artificial plants or cut flowers

  • Medicines and pharmaceutical products

  • Used tyres

  • Goods exempt from taxes and duties

 

Type of Report Issued:

Certified Invoice – Bureau Veritas / BIVAC certified exporter’s final invoice for Letter of Credit transactions by request.

 

Importer: Certificat de Renseignement sur les Prix (CRP) – required for clearance of goods.

Certificat d’Inspection des Marchandises (CIM) – issued for the use of customs.

 

Certificat de Non Conformité (ARA ) – issued in the event of quality and/r quantity discrepancies not corrected by the exporter.

 

Inspection Fees:

Benin, AfricaPaid by the Government. In case of Certificat de Non Conformité (ARA), fees are paid by importers. BIVAC may still invoice the seller in the event of supplementary inspection visits, the costs incurred by the seller in presenting the goods for inspection (unpacking, handling, testing, sampling and repacking) are for the account of the seller.

 

Prohibited Imports:

None

 

Restricted Imports:

None

 

 

Burkina Faso                                                    BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Burkina Faso requires a cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control:

A Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) / Bordereau de Suiv de Cargaison (BSC) must be obtained at the port of departure/load (POL). This is mandated by the Conseil Burkinabé des Chargeurs / Burkina Shippers Council (CBC) as outlined by ministerial order No.000056/MTT/MEF dated: 17/04/2001 and updated under instruction No.2009/0012/MT/MEF dated: 15/09/2009 in order to monitor maritime cargo.

 

A Cargo Tracking Note is required for all transit cargo with ports of discharge (POD) in Burkina Faso, this includes: Abidjan, Lome, Cotonou and Tema and must be produced for cargo to clear customs.

 

The CTN/BSC replaces the ARC (Attestation de Reservation de Cale) which is no longer applicable.

 

CTN/BSC is managed by Conseil Burkinab é des Chargeurs (CBC).

 

Minimum Value for Pre-shipment Inspection:

FCFA 3,000,000 FOB

 

Part Shipments:

Subject to Pre-shipment Inspection if total order value is above minimum order value.

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Plants and flowers

  • Live Animals

  • Objects of art, precious stones, gold and other precious metals

  • Crude oil

  • Exposed and developed cinematographic film

  • Imports with a FOB value below 3,000,000 XOF

  • Scrap metal

  • Medicine without tariff code: 3002, 3005 & 3006

  • Medical equipment (HSC 9022)

  • Condoms imported by PROMACO

  • Explosives and pyrotechnic products

  • Personal gifts

  • Perishable goods for human consumption neither frozen or deep frozen (e.g. fish, meat, fruit and vegetables)

  • Used vehicles

  • Bona fide gifts to the Government and imports for diplomatic entities and for United Nations organisations for their own use in Burkina Faso

  • Weapons and related ammunition other than for hunting and sport purposes

  • Current newspapers and periodicals, postal or fiscal stamps, stamped papers, banknotes and chequebooks

  • Fertilizers

  • Used personal and household effects

  • Non-commercial parcel post and commercial samples

  • Hydrocarbons

  • Cereals

  • Wheaten flour (Wheat)

  • Asphalt

  • Iron intended for industrial purposes

  • Hydraulic cement and Clinker

  • Books (HSC 4901)

  • Construction machinery, drilling and mining (HSC 8429 & 8430) imported by mining companies for their own activities

  • The products subject to minimum values which list will be communicated by ministerial decision

 

Documentation Requirements:

  • The Cargo Tacking Note (CTN) / Bordereau de Suiv de Cargaison (BSC) reference number must be indicated clearly on the bill of lading and on the cargo manifest.

  • If this reference number is missing cargo will be liable to a penalty fine at its destination.

  • Failing to input correct details may lead to the decline of the application e.g. type of cargo / cargo value.

  • Documents must be supplied by the shipping prior to the vessel’s arrival at the port of discharge (POD).

  • Documents must be sent to Burkina Shippers Council / agent at latest, 5 working days after the departure of the vessel.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Beef and veal meats and its derivatives, coming from Belgium, France, Ireland, Portugal, Holland, the United Kingdom and Switzerland

  • Bones, bone meal, meat meal and any other substance dervived from an animal carcass for purposes of feeding or manufacturing any animal foodstuffs and any animal foodstuffs or mineral supplements for feeding ruminant derived there from

  • Any foodstuffs containing a product derived from these prohibited species (ox, porcine, fish)

  • Poultry, porcine, breeding fish or Belgian origin

  • Semen, embryos and reproducer coming from Belgium, France, Ireland, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Switzerland

 

Restricted Imports:

  • Salt for human consumption must be iodised

  • Sugar, subject to special authorisation

  • Medicines, subject to visa on final invoice by Ministry of Health before clearance of goods

  • Tobacco, limited list of authorised importers valid for one year

  • Explosives, arms, ammunition and military effects, subject to special authorisation

  • Product requiring minimum of 1000 tons to be imported: sugar, rice, wheat flour. This rule only applies when the concerned goods are imported along (e.g. only one type of good is declared on the Inspection Order)

  • Electrical batteries are subject to quality specifications

  • Rice is subject to quality specifications

 

 

 

Cameroon                                                                                            BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Cameroon requires an electronic cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control

Any cargo loading or unloading in Cameroon must be covered by an Electronique Bordereau de Suivi Cargaison / Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC/ECTN) validated by the Conseil National des Chargeurs Camerounais / Cameroon National Shippers Council (CNCC) or its representative as per ministerial order no. 00557/MINT of 11/07/2006. This ECTN or waiver certificate must be issued for all shipments/ Bills of Lading (B/L) to Cameroon.

 

Responsibilities and Cost:

The shipper is responsible for issuance of the CTN/BSC and all costs.

 

Documentation Requirements:

BESC/ECTN number must be shown on the Bill of Lading and the manifest.

 

Pre-shipment Inspection:

All imports to Cameroon require Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) / Déclaration d’Importation (DI). This is undertaken in the port of loading (POL) country for the purpose of customs clearance.

 

Minimum Value for Pre-shipment Inspection:

CFA 2,000,000 – FOB

 

Export Cargo:

Shippers must obtain a BESC/ECTN from the CNCC office in Douala prior to loading cargo, and attach it to export customs documents. The document can be obtained up to 5 days after the vessels sailing date however a penalty up to 50% of the initial BESC/ECTN amount may be applied.

 

Transit/ Transhipment Cargo:

The BESC/ECTN does apply to transit and transhipment cargo.

 

One cargo tracking note must be displayed:

Per Bill of Lading for containers (maximum 10 TEUs per BESC/ECTN)

Per Bill of Lading for break bulk / non containerized cargo (max 300 ton per BESC/ECTN)

Per wheeled vehicle by RO-RO

 

Prohibited Goods

  • ‘Mc Ray’ scotch wiskey

  • ‘Ibéro’ oil and ‘Turkey Brand’ vegetable oil

  • Skin treatment creams:

    *‘Crusader’ skin toning cream

    *‘Mipipo’ skin treatment cream

    *‘Mipipo’ hydroquinone lotion

    *‘IKB’ medicated cream

    *‘Symbi’ cream

    *‘Elegance’ skin toning cream

    *‘Renue’ super bleaching cream

    *‘Amba’ cream

    *‘Desire’ complexion cream

    *‘Nice’ super cream

    *‘Tura’ medicated cream

  • Soaps:

    *‘HG 12’ germicidal soap

    *‘Jabiru’ antiseptic germicidal soap

    *‘Tura Savon’ germicidal soap

    *‘Mipipo’ germicidal soap

    *‘Roberts’ medicated soaps

    *‘Sukissa Bango’ antiseptic soap

    *‘Bexo’ antiseptic soap

    *‘Skin Guard antiseptic soap

    *‘Bicu’ soap

  • Pesticides for agricultural use containing at least one of the following products:

    *Captafol, dinoseb acetate (aretit), dinoseb, binapacryl (morocide), cyhexatin, dieldrin, aldrin, heptachlor, 2-4-5 TCP 

      Trade names of these pesticides are listed thereafter:

    *Made from captafol: difolatan, folcid, merpafol, crisfolatan, folstaf, haipen, mycodifol, ortho difolatan 80, captalatan 80

    *Weed killers made from aretit: HOE 002904, evosit, phenotan

    *Made from dinoseb: subitex, vertac, Dinitro Weed Killer, basanite, chemox general, chemox, chemsect, dynamite, 

     elgetol, hel-fire, kiloseb, nitropone, sinox general, unicrop,caldon, dinitro, DN289, gebutox, premerge, subitex, vertac

    *Made from binapacryl: acricid, ambox, dapacryl, dinoseb, endosan, morocide, HOE 2784, NIA 9044

    *Made from Dieldrin: alvit, dieldrite, octalox, panoram D-31

    *Made from Aldrine: alvit, dieldrex, dieldrite, octalox, panoram D-31, aldrex 30, aldrite, aldrosol, drinox, octalene, 

     seedrin liquid

    *Made from heptachlore: drinox, H-24, heptamul

  • Toxic waste and other industrial waste.

  • “Cock brand” insecticide: Double Cock brand, Cock brand superior containing DDT, as per Ministerial Decision No 008/MINDIC/CAB dd 2/3/2000

  • Non iodized salt

  • Counterfeit goods

  • Wheat flour from Nigeria (importation suspended)

  • Bovine mean of European origin (importation suspended)

  • The products or equipment, whenever using substances which impoverish the ozone layer

  • Pharmaceutical product INTETRIX P GRANULES (importation suspended)

  • Pharmaceutical products including phenolphthalein (Mucinum, Purganol)

 

Import Cargo:

Shippers must obtain a BESC/ECTN from the CNCC in the country of origin prior to loading cargo. The Bill of Lading must state the BESC/ECTN number. The document can be obtained up to 5 days after the vessels arrival date however a penalty up to 50% of the initial BESC/ECTN amount may be applied.

 

Part Shipments:

Subject to Pre-shipment Inspection if total order value is above minimum order value.

 

Documents Required:

Final invoice (must show FOB, freight and total value of goods), Packing List and Bill of Lading.

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Live animals

  • Objects of art, precious stones/ metals and gold

  • Imports with a total order FOB value below CFA 2,000,000

  • Used tourism motor vehicles

  • Used personal and household effects

  • Explosives and pyrotechnic products

  • Non-commercial parcel post and commercial samples

  • Current newspapers and periodicals

  • Gifts and imports for Diplomatic entities and for United Nation organisations or their own use in Cameroon

  • Imports made by the Cameroon Army and security services

  • Imports authorised under Free Zone Regime

  • Crude oil and equipment used for oil drilling and working Donations from foreign governments or international organisations to foundations, welfare and philanthropic organisations recognized of public interest.

 

Restricted Imports:

  • Sea or bred fish, crustaceans and molluscs

  • Alimentary perpetrations for other animals (see code 2309.90.00 of Cameroon Customs Tariff Book)

  • Edible meat

  • Medicated soaps

  • Medicines (see codes 30.03.10.00 to 30.04.90.00 of Cameroon Customs Tariff Book)

  • Prepared explosives, other than propellant powders; pyrotechnic articles, beacon rocks

  • Transmitter-receivers and other receivers

  • Precious substances such as platinum, gold, sapphire etc

  • Weapons and war ammunition

  • Radioactive substances (thorium, detorium, uranium etc) and equipment which contains radioactive elements

  • Medicine for veterinary purposes (licenced)

  • Pharmaceutical products (licenced)

  • Order No. 0064 of 12/05/95 and the list of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol

  • Second-hand vehicles not subjected to PSI. They are under the CIVIO Program

  • Salt maximum iodine (100ppm or 100 mg/kg)

  • Wheat flour: must confirm to norms specificed in Decree 27/MINDIC/DPPC dated 1st March 1994

 

Central African Republic                                                                                        BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Central African Republic requires a cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control:

A Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) / Bordereau de Suiv de Cargaison (BSC) must be obtained for all shipments to Central African Republic (CAR) at the port of departure (POL). This is mandated by the Ministère des Finances et du Budget.

 

Responsibilities and Cost:

  • Responsibility relating to the issuance of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) / Bordereau de Suiv de Cargaison (BSC) and all costs is with the shipper.

  • All information required on the CTN/BSC is compulsory.

  • Local representatives at the discharging ports will inspect each and every shipment on the presence of a corresponding CTN. Shipments without the Cargo Tracking Note / BSC will result in delays and fines/ seizures.

  • The CTN/BSC number must be included on the manifest.

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Objects of art

  • Precious metals

  • Live animals

  • Precious stones

  • Ammunitions and arms other than for hunting and/or sport, similar materials and equipment imported by the Army itself

  • Medicines

  • Cinematographic films, exposed and developed

  • Parcel post

  • Current newspapers and periodicals

  • Goods imported for which the FOB value is below XAF 500,000

  • Imports for United Nations Organisations, for their own use

 

Prohibited Imports:

None

 

Restricted Imports:

Sugar: any request for a DIC is subject to the submission by the importer of the original of the interdepartmental authorisation granted for importing sugar in to the Central African Republic

 

 

Congo                                                                                                BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Congo requires an electronic cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control:

A Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN)/ Bordereau Electronique de Suivi Cargaison (BESC) is required for all exports to Congo under directive No. 557/CCC/DG effective 10/01/04.

 

Please note the former Bordereau d’Identification de la Cargaison/ Cargo Identification Note (BIC) system has been replaced by Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN)/ Bordereau Electronique de Suivi Cargaison (BESC).

 

Documentation Requirements:

The subscriber of the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) / Bordereau Electronique de Suivi Cargaison (BESC) must electronically attach the following documents to the ECTN/BESC:

 

  • Freight invoice

  • Pink slip/ Grey card for all imported vehicles

  • Commercial invoice for supplier

 

Requests that are not accompanied by the above documents will be subject to refusal.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

All imports to Congo require Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI) – Déclaration d’Importation (DI). Pre-Shipment Inspection is mandated by he Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et du Budget Decree No. 008/19/AO/PR – DCMCE dated 12/04/99.

 

PSI is managed by COTECNA Inspection S.A. [Decree No. 99-167 of 23 August 1999]

 

Minimum Value for Pre-shipment Inspection:

CFA 3,000,000 FOB

 

Type of Report Issued:

To Seller:

Security label on copy of the final document in case of satisfactory results. Non-Negotiable Report of Findings (NNRF) or Discrepancy report or ‘Avis de Refus d’Attestation’ in case of discrepancy results.

 

To Importer:

Clean Report of Finding – ADV (Attestation de Vérification) in case of satisfactory results. Non Negotiable Report of Finding (NNRF) / Discrepancy report – Avis de Refus d’Attestation – in case of discrepancy results.

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Objects of art, precious stones, gold and other precious metals

  • Used personal and household effects, including one used car

  • Imports with a FOB value below 3,000,000 XAF

  • Personal Gifts

  • Current newspapers and periodicals, postal or fiscal stamps, stamped paper, bankotes and chequebooks

  • Weapons and related ammunition other than for sport and hunting purposes

  • Bona fide gifts to the Government and imports for diplomatic entities and for United Nations organisation for their own use in Congo

  • Non-commercial parcel post and commercial samples

  • Crude oil and refined product

  • Cinematographic film exposed and developed

  • Plants and flowers

  • Live animals

  • Perishable goods for human consumption, neither frozen or deep-frozen (such as fish, meat, vegetables and fruit)

  • Explosives and pyrotechnic products

  • Medicinal products

  • Scrap metal

  • Goods imported by Free-shops and intended for export-sales

 

Part Shipments:

Part shipments are subject to PSI if total order exceeds CFA 3,000,000 FOB. However partial shipments will be subject only to Price Analysis* and documentary verification (no physical inspection).

 

*This instruction does not apply for the following goods for which the physical inspection is still mandatory irrespective of the value of the partial shipment: rice, salt, cigarettes, electrical batteries, hydrocarbon products, match boxes, second hand goods and all products which have a shelf life (foodstuffs).

 

Documents Required:

Final Invoice (must show: freight, insurance, FOB and total value) and transport document.

 

Inspection Costs:

Inspection costs are paid by the importer to the COTECNA office in Point-Noire. Nevertheless, COTECNA may invoice the seller in the event of supplementary inspection visits (in vain or unsatisfactory results). The costs incurred by the seller for presenting the goods for inspection e.g. unpacking, handling, repacking are for the account of the seller.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Meat with high content of fat

  • Chicken legs

  • Turkey rumps

  • Old frozen meat or fish

  • Skimmed and peeled chops

  • Eggs transported in non-refrigerated containers (reefer containers)

 

Restricted Imports:

The goods below require an administrative licence before they can be imported into Congo

 

  • Hen (poultry)

  • Meat and offal

  • Sea fish

  • Flour

  • Concentrated tomato

  • Oil

  • Rice

  • Salted fish

  • Sardines and tinned food

  • Cooking salt

  • Insecticides

  • Radioactive source

 

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)                                                                                        BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirement

Cargo transported to Côte d'Ivoire (also known as the Ivory Coast) requires a cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control:

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) implements Cargo Tracking Note (CTN)/ Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) for all imports to Ivory Coast. It is essential that cargo tracking notes must be handled in the country of loading.

 

As of 1st May 2005 the Office Ivoirien Des Chargeurs (OIC) had made available to all shippers and forwarding agents an internet application form available here: www.oic.ci.

 

The system will enable the economic operators to create and manage their Cargo Tracking Note (CTN)/ Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) online. This new system will remove the need for OIC representatives to intervene at the cargo loading port. It also now allows for the Exporter or Forwarding Agent to create the BSC from their office according to the following procedure:

 

  1. Registration of Member

  2. Validation of Member’s Account

  3. Provisioning of Member’s Account

  4. Registration of the BSC online

  5. Submission of the registered BSC for validation

  6. Validation of the BSC submitted by the Member

  7. Printing of the BSC by the Member concerned with the corresponding transaction

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection Instructions:

  • All imports to Ivory Coast must be subject to BIVAC control Pre-Shipment Inspection during stuffing at port of loading (POL)

  • This control is requested by the cargo not the Line, to the inspection representative

  • The BIVAC inspected must attend the stuffing of the container from beginning to end (FCL Container), if the shipment is an LCL container shipment then each exporter must request individual inspector for their own cargo

  • Exemptions are as follows:

    *Personal effects

    *Fruit/ vegetable/ plants

    *Donation/ charity goods

    *Containers transhipping through Abidjan

    *Any container with FOB commercial value of cargo below CFA500,000 (USD800 TEU)

    *Empty containers

  • After inspection a certificate is remitted by the Inspection to the Shipper and a BIVAC Seal is placed on to the shipping container

  • This certificate is requested by Customs to the importer to clear the cargo

  • If the container does not have the certificate or seal then the container will be automatically inspected in Abidjan Port by a BIVAC representative under customs control. All costs will be the responsibility of the consignee. This post control will affect the flow on containers at Discharge Port (POD)

  • If the consignee is not able to to request post control then the cargo will be seized by Customs after 20 days. The cargo will then be sold at auction after 3 months, according to port regulations with customs

  • The shipping agent is authorised to exchange the Bill of Lading against delivery order to the consignee, even if the consignee doesn’t have a BIVAC certificate in hand. The agent is not responsible for any lack of BIVAC certificate

  • Regulation in force as of the 1st June 2003

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Containerised products exempt; Food products (e.g. salt, juices and drinks, dairy and milk products, preserved/ semi-preserved products, rice and flour, meat, frozen and deep frozen fish), pharmaceutical products, roofing plates, electrical devices

  • Precious stones and gold

  • Objects of art

  • Imports with a FOB value equal or below XOF 500,000

  • Scrap metals

  • Live animals

  • Goods imported on a non-commercial and non-repetitive basis, for a personal use and whose value does not exceed XOF 3,000,000

  • Explosives, weapons, ammunition and other materials for the Army and the Police

  • Plants and Flowers

  • Fish, Vegetables and fruits fresh or refrigerated (neither frozen or deep frozen)

  • Used vehicles

  • Used personal and household effects

  • Cinematographic films, exposed and developed

  • Post parcels

  • Personal gifts

  • Donations offered by foreign governments or international organisations to the government, to foundations, to charities and to philanthropic organisations recognised as being helpful towards to public

  • Imports for diplomatic entities and for United Nations organisations for their own use within Ivory Coast

  • Crude oil

  • Commercial samples

  • Current newspaper and periodicals, postal and fiscal stamps, stamped papers, passports, bank notes and cheque books

 

Additional Pre-Shipment Inspection Information:

  1. Initial request is applied to consignee who fills in a Import Request Form (FRI Form) in Abidjan, along with the pro-forma invoice sent by the shipper.

  2. The Import Request Form (FRI Form) is sent by the BIVAC representative in Abidjan to the BIVAC representative in the Port of Loading (POL) (BV Regional Center). At the same time, the consignee sends a copy to the supplier.

  3. The BV Regional Center has the duty to contact the shipper to inform him about their responsibility to carry out a visit to inspect the loading of all containers at a date requested by the shipper.

  4. After loading the Import Request Form number (supplied by BIVAC Abidjan) must be mentioned in the body of the Bill of Lading (BOL). The BIVAC seal number and Import Request Form number must be mentioned on the certificate issues and supplied by BIVAC Port of Loading.

  5. If several invoices are used for the same container, several Import Request Form (FRI) numbers are needed (1 FRI = 1 pro-forma invoice). Now 1 invoice can be split for several shipments; then the same FRI number will be used until completion full export regarding this very invoice is valid for 6 months max to export all concerned cargo related to that same FRI number.

  6. If there is no Import Request Form (FRI) issued prior to shipment then the container can only be imported in Abidjan, with * approval of the Minister of Commerce in Abidjan * and then the Customs of Ivory Coast.

 

Sensitive Goods Submitted to Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Food products (e.g. salt, juices and drinks, dairy and milk products, preserved/ semi-preserved products, rice and flour, meat, frozen and deep frozen fish)

  • Pharmaceutical products

  • Roofing plates

  • Electrical devices

 

Import Request Form (FRI or Fiches de Renseignement a l’Importation) Numbers:

According to Ivorian Customs regulations, importers are requested to mention on the Bill of Lading the Import Request Form numbers given by BIVAC or COTECNA inspection agencies.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Weapons and war ammunition except collector’s items

  • Counterfeit goods

  • Drugs and narcotics

  • Hallucinogenic products except those authorised by the Ministry of Health

  • Pornographic publications

  • Products containing asbestos

  • Meat flour and bones from ruminants are forbidden for import in Ivory Coast

  • All beef and beef products from UK and Ireland

  • Plastic bags

  • Toxic waste

 

Democratic Republic of Congo                                                                                        BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirement

Cargo transported to DR Congo requires a FERI certificate

 

Waiver Control:

FERI (Fiche Electronique de Renseignement à I’Importation) certificates are compulsory and available here:

 

One FERI certificate is required per Bill of Lading (BOL) and must be obtained in the country of loading.

 

Only OGEFREM or its agents have the authority to issue loading certificates. Each BOL must have a corresponding loading certificate in order for cargo to be cleared. Each loading certificate has a specific serial number which is duly signed, dated and stamped by the authorised OGEFREM agent.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

Pre-Shipment Inspection of imports for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is mandated by the DGDA (Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises) and OCC (Office Congolais de Contrôle), Ministry of Commerce.

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Fresh eggs

  • Live animals

  • Imports with FOB value below USD2500

  • Fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, fresh or refrigerated (neither frozen or deep-frozen)

  • Weapons, ammunition imported by the Administration

  • Re-imports without modification

  • Current newspapers and periodicals

  • Commercial samples

  • Post parcels without commercial value

  • Personal effects and moves, including motorised vehicles imported by residents returning to their country

  • Personal gifts

  • Donations by foreign governments or international organisations to foundations, charitiyes and humanitarian organisations declared of Public Utility

  • Donations by foreign governments or international organisations or private persons in case of disaster

  • Goods purchased with donations and external resources including loans

  • Gifts and supplies import by diplomatic entities, by United Nations organisations or other NGOs having customs taxes exemptions, for their own use

 

Restricted Imports:

The items below require authorisation before they can be imported in to DR Congo:

 

  • Explosives

  • Weapons and ammunitions

  • Bank notes

  • Coins

  • Commemorative coins

  • Used motor vehicles must comply with the following age requirements:

    *Passenger cars and minibuses (less than 10 seats) must be less than 10 years from year of production.

    *Commercial motor vehicles and buses (more than 10 seats) must be less than 7 years from year of production.

    *Trucks must be less than 10 years from year of production.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Pharmaceuticals with an expiry date of less than 2 years (Ministerial Order No. 1250/CAB/S/C12/RM/2004 dated April 24th 2004)

  • All foodstuffs and beverages containing saccharin, dulcin and sodium cyclamate as sweeteners (Ministerial Order No. 13/CAB/NCB/96 dated October 11th 1996).

  • Foodstuff originated from Japan, following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011, causing radiation contamination in the regions of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma (Official Communiqué dd. 13/04/2011 from the Ministry of Commerce).

  • Pharmaceuticals put up in the following forms (Ministerial Order No.1250/CAB/MIN/SP/069/CJ/OMK/2010 dd. 06/12/2010):

    *Ciproeptadine in tablet and syrup

    *Contrimoxazole in powder

    *Amoxicilin in capsule and powder

    *Mebendazole in powder and tablet / Metronidazole in powder and tablet

    *Paracetamol in tablet and syrup

    *Quinine in capsule, tablet, syrup and liquid

  • Imports of Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content above 45pct

  • The following motor vehicles:

    *Passenger cars and minibuses (less than 10 seats) more than 10 years from year of production

    *Commercial motor vehicles and buses (more than 10 seats) more than 7 years from year of production

    *Trucks more than 10 years from year of production

 

Gabon                                                                                                    BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirement

Cargo transported to Gabon requires a BIETC tracking note certificate

 

Waiver Control:

An Electronic Bordereau d’Identification et de Traçabilité des Cargaisons (BIETC) now replaces the Bordereau d’Identification des cargaisons (BIC). This cargo tracking note is compulsory for customs clearance for cargo entering Gabon.

 

Documentary Requirements:

Please note: a draft of BIETC Certificate can be provided if the original document cannot be produced before the vessels’ departure. This draft must be validated within 10 days of the vessels departure. The BIETC number should also appear on the manifest and the Bill of Lading (BOL).

 

BIETC Instructions

In order to obtain a BIETC the cargo shipper or forwarder will need to register on the Gabonese Shippers’ Council website, login and complete the necessary information: bill of lading number, shipper, consignee, cargo description, container number, cargo value, value of freight, cargo origin / destination port and vessel / voyage number.

 

Submit this information and an agent will validate the BIETC online, once validated the form will display a ‘Visa Validated’ notification and BIETC number which needs to be provided to the cargo’s shipping line.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

Scrap metal being imported or exported to Gabon requires a Pre-shipment inspection in order to avoid delays and increased costs.

 

Restricted Imports to Gabon:

In accordance with the ‘Plan sectoriel Environnement du Plan Stratégique Gabon Emergent’ (PSGE), the Gabonese government has decided to strengthen rules on imports of used vehicles. The importation of used vehicles more than 3 years old is banned. The original car registration document or a legal copy will be required for all imports of used vehicles including personal cars, buses, lorries, vans and pick-up trucks.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import to Gabon:

Gabon - BIETC Tracking Note

 

Non-recyclable plastic bags

 

 

 

 

Guinea                                                                                              BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirement

Cargo transported to Guinea requires an international cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control:

The Republic of Guinée implements the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN)/ Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) for ISPS Code (decree D/2011/305/PRG/SGG) for all cargo being discharged in a Guinean port.

 

Responsibilities and Cost:

The responsibility relating to the issuance of the CTN/BSC and all costs is with the shipper.

The information required on the CTN/BSC is compulsory.

The CTN/BSC number must be included on the manifest.

Local representatives at the discharging ports will inspect each and every shipment on the presence of a corresponding Cargo Tracking Note (CTN). Shipments without a CTN/BSC will result in delays and fines/seizures.

All shippers to the République de Guinée will have to obtain this ICTN with appointed company ATPMS.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

Guinea requires that Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) / Fiche de Demande d’Inspection (FDI) is carried out for all cargo imports to the country. This is undertaken in the port of load (POL) country for the purpose of customs clearance. Pre-Shipment Inspection is mandated by the Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et du Plan as per contract dated 31/03/08.

 

Minimum Value for Pre-Shipment Inspection:

USD 1100

 

Part Shipments:

Part shipments are subject to PSI if the total shipment value equals or exceeds USD1100 FOB.

 

Documents Required:

Final Invoice (this is compulsory and must show FOB value per item, freight, insurance, ancillary charges where applicable), and if deemed necessary by BIVAC, packing list, certificate of origin, test certificates when necessary.

 

Cargo description must be as precise as possible; ‘General Cargo’ is not a description.

 

Please note that Guinean Government has implemented a fine on all amendments / alterations of cargo manifest and bills of lading with effect from 01/03/03. The official fine is US 100.

 

Type of Report Issued

  • Importer/Customs: Attestation de Vérification (AV) – used for clearing the goods

  • Avis de Refus d’Attestation (ARA) – issued for inconsistencies including quantity, eligibility and/or quality and when final documents are not received within 2 months following inspection date

  • Exporter: Certification of final invoice when required

 

Inspection Fees:

Inspection fees are paid by the importer when opening the FDI – Fiche de Demande d’Inspection. It is also possible that Bureau Veritas/ BIVAC may invoice the seller in the event of supplementary inspection visits (in vain or unsatisfactory results). Costs incurred by the seller in presenting goods for inspection such as handling, unpacking, repacking, sampling etc are for the sellers’ responsibility.

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Objects of art

  • Precious metals, precious stones

  • Goods with a total FOB value under USD1100

  • Ammunitions and weapons

  • Explosives and pyrotechnic products

  • Scrap metals

  • Live animals

  • Current newspapers and periodicals

  • Personal effects and domestic used items, including one used vehicle in the case of move attested by the authority of the previous address.

  • Used tyres

  • Imports totally exonerated of duties and taxes

  • Commercial samples

  • Gifts from foreign governments or international organisations to the State, to recording studios and libraries, charity organisations, religious missions, foundations, and philanthropic organisations identified as being of public unity by the Government of Guinea.

  • Gifts and supplies to diplomatic and consular missions or organisations depending on the United Nations Organisations imported for their own use in Guinea.

  • Plants and fresh cut or artificial flowers

  • Perishable consumer foods shipped at ambient temperature or refrigerated

  • Cinematographic films for public projection–exposed and developed

 

Prohibited Imports:

None

 

Restricted Imports:

None

 

 

 

Libya                                                                                                    BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to or through Libya requires an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN)

 

Libyan law requires that all cargo transported to Libya (included transit cargo) must include an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) with the Bill of Lading (BOL) and the Cargo Manifest. This regulation is active from October 1st 2015 (BOL date) and was initiated by the State of Libya by the Minister or Finance and Director of Customs.

 

Each ETCN will have a unique number which must be shown on the BOL and Cargo Manifest. The ECTN must be issued by the shipper or forwarder at the Port of Loading. Cargo not covered by a valid Electronic Cargo Tracking Note will not clear customs (until a valid ECTN is show) and will result in costly penalties and/or fines.

 

Libya ECTN Validation:

  • Electronic Cargo Tracking Notes must be submitted to Antaser for validation at the Port of Loading.

  • Failure to have ECTN validated will result in cargo not clearing customs and appropriate fines

 

Pre-shipment Inspection:

On the 10th May 2015 The Governor of the Central Bank of Libya published Resolution No.96 which requires all Libyan imports to include a Certificate of Inspection (COI). The pre-shipment inspection is used to confirm the cargo transported to Libya is the same cargo (in terms of quantity, quality and value) as described in the Letter of Credit. The Central Bank of Libya requires the Certificate of Inspection be presented on import for any shipments financed through a Letter of Credit.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Weapons, ammunition and explosives (this includes toy guns)

  • Knifes and other deadly weapons

  • Illegal Drugs

  • Pork and pork products

  • Animals and pets (unless permission granted)

  • Plants and plan products (unless permission granted)

  • Tea and coffee

  • Mineral water

  • Counterfeit money and products

  • Pornographic materials

  • Mineral water

  • Luxury cards

  • Oriental rugs

 

Restricted Imports:

  • All display signs, cards and tickets being transported and displayed within Libya must be written in Arabic in order to clear customs

  • All alcohol and alcoholic drinks are banned from Libya

  • Plant and plant products being shipped to Libya need to include a plant quarantine certificate

  • Insecticides can only be imported with a permit from the Secretariat of Agricultural Reclamation and Agrarian Reform’s Plant Protection Department

  • Cats and dogs imported into Libya need to include two veterinary health certificated from the country of origin and a rabies vaccination certificate

  • All goods of Israeli origin are completely banned from entering Libya

  • Fresh egg important must be stamped with the name of the export company with the name of the Country of Origin and the production date.

  • Pork and pork products are complete prohibited from entering Libya

 

Madagascar                                                                                                 BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirement

Cargo transported to Madagascar does not requires a waiver certificate

 

Waiver Control:

A waiver is not necessary for shipments to Madagascar. BSC/ CTN not required either.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

Pre-Shipment Inspections are not required for shipments to Madagascar

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Import of Vehicles: Documentation Required

    In regulation # 045MT/SG/DGTT/DTR/SSR dated 02/07/12 the Magalche Ministry of Transport decreed that all vehicles imported into Madagascar, the name and address of the owner at loading must appear on all Custom clearance documentation. This information must be the same as that written on the sale or cession certificate. No correction will be accepted at destination.

  • Import of Vehicles: Ban of Right-Hand Side Vehicles

    Regulations # 002/MT/SG/DGTT/DTR/SSR dated 06/02/12 and #046MT/SG/DGTT/DTR/SSR dated 02/07/12 specify that import of right-hand drive vehicles are banned. Vehicles will have to be changed into left-hand side vehicles until 15/08/12 latest, within the SMMC area.

 

 

 

 

Mali                                                                                                    BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirement

Cargo transported to Mali requires a cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control:

A Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) must be issued at the port of loading (POL) for all shipments to Mali, this is mandated by the Malian Shippers Council (Conseil Malien des Chargeurs). It is important that a Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) is issued for every individual Bill of Lading (BOL).

 

Bill of Lading No., freight details, cargo value and date of issuance are compulsory on the CTN; shipments with an incomplete Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) will be refused.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

Pre-Shipment Inspections are required for cargo being shipped to Mali as mandated by the Ministère de l Economie et des Finances and Ministère de l Industrie et du Commerce. This is undertaken in the port of load (POL) country for the purpose of customs clearance.

 

Minimum Order Value Subject to Pre-Shipment Inspections:

XOF 3,000,000 FOB

 

Partial Shipments:

Partial shipments require a Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) if the total order value is equal or above XOF 3,000,000 FOB, all FCL shipments require a PSI irrespective of value.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Food products containing potassium bromate

  • Potassium bromate

  • Chemicals containing at least one of the following products: aldrine, endrine, dieldrine, heptaclore, chlordane, mirex, hexachlorobenzene, toxaphene, polychlorobiphenyles (‘PCB’)

  • Oil and products containing polychlorobiphenyles (‘PCB’)

  • Alcoholic beverages in plastic bags

  • Drugs and narcotics

  • Toxic waste

  • All foreign products natural or manufactured, metntioning on any part of the packaging, labelling or on the product itself, a brand or commercial name, any sign or indication whatsoever which might lead believe that the product was made in Mali or is of Malian origin

  • All goods whose origin is or which are shipped from Israel

  • Pesticides if not approved by the Authorities

  • Live bovines and their meat products (sausages, corned-beef, ham, tinned meat, meat cubes, meat), as well as animal food made from bones, blood and meat

 

Restricted Imports:

  • Importation of non-ionized salt, not destined to human consumption: authorization from the concerned authorities

  • Importation of explosives and pyrotechnic products: authorization from the concerned authorities

  • Importations of cyanide: authorization from the Ministry of health or the Ministry of Mines

  • Products that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer (substances containing chlorine or bromine, CFC and HCFC): authorization from the Ministry in charge of the Environment

  • Importations of cigarettes, tobacco and matches: authorisation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade

  • Weapons and ammunitions: authorised by the concerned authorities

  • Importation of meat other than bovine and game products: presentation of the certificate of origin and the sanitary certificate

  • Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (‘DDT’): authorisation from the Ministry of Enviroment

  • Importation of fishing nets with fine meshing (smaller than 50mm): authorisation from the Ministry of Water and Forest

  • All medicines for human use: authorisations from the Ministry of Public Health

  • All medicines for veterinary use: authorisation from both Ministry of Health and Ministry in charge of stock breading

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Live animals

  • Scrap metal

  • Wood

  • Fertilizers

  • Plants, seeds and flowering products

  • Current newspapers and periodicals, fiscal stamps and postal stamps, bank notes, cheque books, credit cards and stamped paper

  • Cinematographic films – exposed and developed

  • Sera, vaccines

  • Crude oil

  • Postal parcels and commercial samples

  • Personal effects and domestic used items, including one used vehicle

  • Personal gifts, donations (except donations to private persons or private entities), bona fide gifts, supplies to diplomatic, consular missions and supplies to United Nations Organisations for their own use in Mali

  • Imports ordered by the public administration for their own account

  • Vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705 and 8716

  • Precious metals, precious stones and objects of art

  • Goods with a total FOB value under XOF 3,000,000

  • Explosives and pyrotechnic products

  • Ammunitions and weapons other than those for sport and/or hunting, equipment and materials ordered by the army for its own use

 

 

 

 

Niger                                                                                                    BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Niger requires a cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control:

A Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) / Bordereau de Suiv de Cargaison (BSC) must be obtained for all cargo shipments to Niger, this must be obtained at the port of loading (POL). A representative of the Conseil Nigerien des Utilisateurs des Transports [CNUT] at the port of loading with issue the CTN/ BSC. This is compulsory for customs purposes.

 

Responsibilities and Cost:

  • The responsibility relating to the issuance of the CTN/ BSC and all costs lie with the shipper

  • The CTN/ BSC number must be included in the manifest

  • Information required on the CTN/ BSC is compulsory

  • Local representatives at the port of discharge (POD) will inspect each and every shipment on the presence of a corresponding Cargo Tracking Note. Shipments without a CTN/ BSC with result in delays and fines/ seizures.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

Pre-Shipment Inspections are required for cargo being shipped to Niger as mandated by the Ministry of Economy and Finances. This is undertaken in the port of load (POL) country for the purpose of customs clearance.

 

Minimum Order Value Subject to Pre-Shipment Inspections:

XOF 2,000,000

 

Partial Shipments:

Partial shipments require a Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) if the total order value is equal or above XOF 2,000,000

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Drugs and narcotics

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Imports with a total FOB value below XOF 2,000,000

  • Explosives and pyrotechnic products

  • Arms and ammunition

  • Objects of art

  • Precious stones and precious metals

  • Scrap metals

  • Live animals

  • Newspapers and periodicals

  • Freshly cut flowers

  • Petroleum projects in liquid or gas form

  • Goods imported for mining companies

  • Importations which are not paying import taxes and must be declared with an II form

  • Cinematographic films for public cinemas (35mm) exposed or processed

  • Perishable food products, transported at room temperature or chilled

  • Personal effects and household items including one used vehicle as a personal belonging on the occasion of a change of domicile, duly confirmed by the authorities on the previous domicile

  • Personal gifts

  • Postal parcels

  • Commercial samples

  • Donations by foreign governments or international organisation to the State, public schools and libraries, charity organisations, religious missions and philanthropic foundations recognised to be of a public necessity by the Republic of Niger.

  • Donations and supplies to the Diplomatic and Consular missions, of any affiliated organisation of the United Nations, imported for their use.

 

 

Nigeria                                                                                                BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Nigeria requires a pre-shipment inspection

 

 

Waiver Control:

No waiver required for shipments to Nigeria.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

Nigeria operates the Nigerian Product Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP). The work is carried out for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON – www.export2nigeria.com) on a sole-mandate basis. SONCAP was implemented from 01/09/05.

 

The Government of Nigeria has implemented this programme to:

  • Prevent the importation and dumping of unsafe, sub-standard and counterfeit products

  • Prevent the loss of foreign exchange spent in importing these items in the past.

 

External Stuffing Procedures:

As shipping companies are facing limited stuffing space within terminals, stuffing completed externally is permitted, provided that the following legal conditions and procedures are respected:

 

  • The presence of a customs officer is mandatory during the container stuffing; otherwise the container will be subject to examination by customs authorities.

  • The container must be sealed with a shipping companies’ seal at the stuffing site.

  • The seal must be identifiable with a specific number.

  • If the seal is not in the same condition upon arrival at the terminal, the container will need to undergo examination.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Live or Dead Birds including Frozen Poultry

  • Pork, Beef

  • Birds Eggs

  • Spaghetti/Noodles

  • Cocoa Butter, Powder and Cakes

  • Refined Vegetable Oils and Fats (but excluding Linseed, Castor and Olive oils. Crude vegetable oil are however NOT banned from importation)

  • Fruit Juice in Retail Packsv

  • Waters, including Mineral Waters and Aerated Waters containing added Sugar or Sweetening Matter or Flavoured, ice snow – H.S. Codes 2202.1000 – 2202.9000, other non-alcoholic beverages (but excluding energy or Health Drinks {Liquid Dietary Supplements} e.g. Power Horse, Red Ginseng etc) and Beer and Stout (Bottled, Canned or Otherwise packed)

  • Waste Pharmaceuticals

  • Soaps and Detergents

  • Mosquito Repellent Coils

  • Medicaments falling under Headings 3003 and 3004 as indicated below:

    *Paracetamol Tablets and Syrups

    *Cotrimoxazole Tablets Syrups

    *Metronidazole Tablets and Syrups

    *Chloroquine Tablets and Syrups

    *Haematinic Formulations; Ferrous Sulphate and Ferrous Gluconate Tablets, Folic Acid Tablets, Vitamine B Complex 

     Tablet (except modified released formulations)

    *Multivitamin Tablets, capsules and Syrups (except special formulations)

    *Aspirin Tablets (except modified released formulation and soluble aspirin)

    *Magnesium trisilicate tablets and suspensions

    *Piperazine tablets and Syrups

    *Levamisole Tablets and Syrups

    *Clotrimazole Cream

    *Ointments – Penecilin/Gentamycin

    *Pyrantel Pamoate tablets and Syrups

    *Intravenous Fluids (Dextrose, Normal Saline, etc.)

  • Sanitary Wares of Plastics and Domestic Articles and Wares of Plastics (excluding Baby Feeding bottles) and flushing ceinstern and waterless toos toilets

  • Rethreaded and used Pneumatic tyres but excluding used trucks tyres for rethreading of sized 11.00 x 20 and above

  • Corrugated Paper and Paper Boards, and cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper and paper boards, Toilet paper, Cleaning or facial tissue – excluding baby diapers and incontinent pads for adult use 4818.4000.41 and Exercise Books

  • Telephone Re-charge Cards and Vouchers

  • Textile Fabrics of all types and articles thereof and Yarn falling under the following H.S. Codes remain under import prohibition:

    *African print (Printed Fabrics) e.g. Nigeria wax, Hollandaise, English Wax, Ankara and similar Fabrics under the 

     following H.S. Codes – 5208.5110 – 5208.5900, 

     5209.5100 – 5209.5900,5212.5100, 5212.5100, 5212.2500, 5407.4400, 5407.5400, 5407.7400, 5407.8400, 5407.9400, 

     5408.2400, 5408.3400, 5513.4100 – 

     5513.4900, 5514.4100 – 5514.4900, 5516.1400, 5516.2400, 5516.3400, and 5514.4900.00

    *Carpets and Rugs of all types falling under H.S. Codes 5701.1000 – 5705.0000

  • But excluding the Following:

    *Lace Fabrics, Georges and other embroidered Fabrics falling under H.S. Codes 5801.2100–5801.9000, 5802.1100–

     5802.3000 and 5805.0000.00

    *Made-up Garments and other Textile articles falling under H.S. Codes 6101.2000 – 6310.9000.99

  • All types of Foot Wears and Bags including Suitcases of leather and plastics (excluding Safety Shoes used in oil industries, Hospitals, Fire fighting and Factories, Sports Shoes, canvass shoes all Completely Knocked Down (CKD) blanks and parts)

  • Hollow Glass Bottles of a capacity exceeding 150mls (0.15 litres) of a kind used for packaging of beverages by breweries and other beverage and drink companies

  • Used compressors

  • Used fridges/ freezers

  • Used Motor Vehicles above fifteen (15) years from the year of manufacture

  • Furniture – excluding Baby walkers, laboratory cabinets such as microscope table, fume cupboards, laboratory benches (9403), Stadium Chairs, height adjustments device, base sledge, seat frames and control mechanism, arm guide and headguides. Also excluded are; skeletal parts of furniture such as blanks, unholstered or unfinished part of metal, plastics, veneer, chair shell etc. Also excluded are Motor Vehicle seats (9401.2000.00) and Seats other than garden seats or camping equipment, convertible into beds (9401.4000.00)

  • Ball Point Pens

 

 

 

 

 

Senegal                                                                                                BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Senegal requires a cargo tracking note

 

Waiver Control:

A Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) / Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) must be obtained at the port of loading [POL]. This is mandated by the Conseil Sénéglaise des Chargeurs (COSEC) and decreed by the Ministry of Finance & Economy.

 

The Cargo Tracking Note/ Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison is required for import cargo only and is not required for transit/CTBL cargo.

 

Responsibilities and Cost:

All costs and the responsibility for getting the CTN/BSC are with the shipper.

 

Documentation Requirements:

Cargo Tracking Number/ Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison number must be clearly indicated on the Bill of Lading (BOL) and on the cargo manifest. If this number cannot be read or is missing you will be liable to a penalty fine of CFA 1,000,000 per Bill of Lading which will be applied to the consignee and the shipping lines.

 

Pre-Shipment Inspection:

Senegal requires that Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) / Déclaration Préalable d’Importation (DPI) is carried out for all imports into Senegal. This inspection is carried out at the port of loading (POL) country for the purpose of customs clearance for the cargo. PSI is mandated by the Ministry of Economy & Finance initially by Decree No. 91-1221 (Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et du Plan) dated 14/11/91.

 

Minimum Value for Pre-Shipment Inspection:

CFA 3,000,000 FOB however, all FCL containers with a total FOB value below CFA 3,000,000 are subject to PSI.

 

Part Shipments:

Subject to PSI if total order exceeds CFA 3,000,000 FOB.

 

Documents Required:

Final invoice [showing FOB value, freight and ancillary charges, as well as any advance payment (if applicable)

 

Type of Report Issued:

For Importer:

 

  • DPI (declaration provisoire d’importation) issued for all shipment with a total FOB value between CFA 1000.000 and CFA 2.999.999

  • A.V. (Attestation de Vérification) issued for all shipment with a total FOB value exceeding CFA 3000.000.

 

This value makes it compulsory to have the goods inspected at the port of loading by the COTECNA office. Two kinds of inspection can be done: Physical and or documentary (depending on the sole decision of COTECNA office). Issued for all FCL containers with a total value exceeding CFA 3000.000 (INSPECTION become compulsory in addition to the DPI) Document required: Commercial invoice, Bill of lading, packing list.

 

  • ARA (Avis de Refus d’Attestation) issued for inconsistencies including quantity, eligibility, and/or quality and when final documents are not received within 2 months following inspection date.

 

For Exporter:

 

  • For all shipments (shipments to countries from the UEMOA are not concerned) with a total FOB value at or exceeding CFA 3000.0000 following reports are required: A.E.(Attestation d’Exportation), E.C. (Engagement de change), C.O.E (Certificat d’origine export : 7 types of certificates), F.D. (Facture definitive)

  • Other documents are required but it depends on the kind of goods exported.

 

Inspection Fees:

The importer pays the Government a fee of 1% of the dutiable (CIF) value of each import consignment.

 

Goods Exempted from Pre-Shipment Inspection:

  • Gold, precious stones, objects of art

  • Used personal and household effects

  • Shipments with a FOB value under CFA 3,000,000

  • Live animals

  • Arms and ammunition other than for hunting and/or sport

  • Explosive and pyrotechnic products

  • Plants and flowers

  • Cinematographic films

  • Meat, fish, perishable vegetables and fruits neither frozen or deep frozen

  • Postal parcels and samples

  • Current newspapers and periodicals, stamped paper, postal and fiscal stamps, bank notes and cheque books

  • Commercial samples

  • Donations offered to the government, public administrations and NGOs

  • Goods subject to tariff exemption

  • Goods imported by certain importers which have a special exemption authorization from the government

  • Imports by export free zone companies or assimilated

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Meat and poultry products must be covered by a Phytosanitary certificate including a Dioxin Free Certificate

  • Tomato paste: must not contain any additional products other than pure tomato (this restriction includes the addition of salt and/or other spices which is forbidden)

 

 

 

 

Tanzania                                                                                                BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Tanzania must undergo a pre-shipment verification of conformity

 

Waiver Control:

No waiver required for shipments to Tanzania. Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) / Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) not required.

 

Pre-Shipment Verification Conformity Program (PVoC):

Tanzania’s Bureau of Standards (TBS) has appointed SGS to implement a Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program which took effect as of 1st January 2012.

 

Under the Pre-Shipment Verification Conformity Program all regulated products to be imported to Tanzania will undergo verification and testing in the country of supply and a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) will be issued to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the applicable national standards or approved equivalents and technical regulations. The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is mandatory for Customs clearance.

 

Tanzania’s Bureau of Standards (TBS) had introduced the PCA Program to protect the country, consumers and local manufacturers from the following:

  • Unfair competition from imported goods which do no comply with the approved standards

  • Substandard products that may endanger public health, safety or the environment

  • Counterfeit or unsafe products

 

Products regulated under the PCA Program include:

  • Automotive products

  • Toys and childcare products

  • Chemical and household products (furniture, paper products etc)

  • Electrical and electronic products

  • Used products

  • Selected safety equipment

  • Food and agricultural products

  • Mechanical materials and gas appliances

 

There are 3 potential options to PVoC certification depending on conditions including, but not exclusively the type of product, its homogeneity, frequency of shipments and the manufacturer’s quality management system.

  • Option A: for unregistered products (unregistered suppliers of manufacturer’s of sensitive goods). Products must be tested and physically inspected to demonstrate conformity to relevant standards, essential requirements or manufacturer’s specification.

  • Option B: for registered supplies or manufacturers of goods. This is a fast track certificate process for goods with reasonable and consistent levels of quality by registration of products with the PVoC contractor. Product Registration is highly recommended to exporters with frequent shipments of homogenous products.

  • Option C: licensed products. This option is only open to manufacturers who can show the existence of a quality management system in their production/ manufacturing process. This option requires an audit of any quality management system and licensing of products by the authorised PVoC contractor. This option is highly recommended for manufacturers with high frequency of shipments.

 

Goods Exempt from Pre-Shipment Verification Conformity Program (PVoC):

  • Raw materials for industrial use, endorsed by Confederaton of Tanzania Industries (CTI)

  • Retreaded tires

  • Used tires

  • Motor vehicles

  • Gasoline, automotive diesel fuel, aviation turbine fuel, illuminating kerosene and fuel oil

  • Mining equipment/ products except for foods and protective gear

  • All shipments with FOB under USD 1000 on all modes of carriage

  • Investors capital goods

  • Products from TBS and KEBS certified suppliers

  • Cargo destined for Zanzibar

  • Products sent for repairs outside Tanzania

  • East African Community (EAC) manufactured and with certificate mark of local bureau of standards (KEBS, BBN, UNBS, RBS and TBS)

  • Spare parts for use in industries to ensure good manufacturing of final goods

  • Export Processing Zones (EPZ) destination

  • Materials for specific Government projects

  • Charitable shipments which have received TBS exemption

  • Consolidated/ assorted cargo for small traders

 

 

 

Togo                                                                                                    BACK TO TOP

 

Waiver Certificate Requirements

Cargo transported to Togo requires a Cargo Tracking Note

 

Waiver Control:

A Cargo Tracking Note (CTN)/ Bordereau de Suivi Cargaison (BSC) is required for all exports to Togo under ministerial decree. Cargo Tracking Note/ Bordereau de Suivi Cargaison is available from the Togo Shipping Council/ Conseil National de Chargeurs Togolais (CNCT). The CTN/BSC number must be shown on each Bill of Lading (BOL) and per vehicle unit, and indicated on the shipping manifest. The CTN/BSC is also applicable for transit cargo to Hinterland destinations.

 

Destination Inspection:

Inspections are mandated by the Ministry of Economy & Finance and are enforced by COTECNA the Destination Inspection Scheme (DIS) is used on all Togo cargo imports based on the Computerised Risk Management System (CRMS/ SIAR).

 

Each import will be subject to one of the following inspections by Togolese Customs:

  • X-Ray scanning

  • Fast-track release (document checking only)

  • Physical examination

A final invoice showing FOB value and total value is required for issuing of Destination Inspection Scheme (DIS).

 

The minimum order value subject to the Destination Inspection Scheme (DSI) is XOF (CFA) 1,500,000 for cargo imported using air/ sea transportation and XOF (CFA) 1,000,000 for cargo imported by road/rail. Partial shipments with a FOB value below XOF (CFA) 225,000 with not be subject to DSI.

 

Type of Report Issued to Importer:

Clean Report of Findings named Attenstation de Vérification (ADV) in case of satisfactory results / Non-negotiable Report of Findings named Avis de Refus d’Attestation (ARA) in case of discrepancy results. The ADV assists the Togolese authorities in collecting the correct amount of import duties and taxes for the shipment.

 

Type of Report Issued to Seller:

Attested final invoice (including security label if applicable). Used for presentation by the exporter to the Negotiating Bank.

 

Inspection Fees:

Inspection fees are paid by the Government, no fees to be paid by the exporter.

 

Goods Prohibited from Import:

  • Drugs/ Narcotics

 

Restricted Imports:

  • To fight against counterfeited goods, Customs require an import license or company approval for all imported pharmaceutical products for the local market or the hinterland

 

Goods Exempted from Destination Inspection Scheme:

  • Imports with a total FOB value below XOF (CFA) 1,500,000 when shipped by air or by sea, and below XOF (CFA) 1,000,000 when shipped by road. (1 EUR = 655.957 XOF (CFA) – fixed change rate).

  • Goods exempted:

  • Natural and source mineral water

  • Live animals

  • Plants and floriculture

  • Importations which are not paying import takes (must be declared with an I/I)

  • Explosive and pyrotechnic material

  • Personal gifts

  • Postal parcels

  • Check books

  • Books, brochures and similar printed material including single printed sheets of paper

  • Architectural, engineering, commercial, industrial, topographic or similar plans and drawings

  • Cartographic works of all kinds including maps

  • Wax prints, African prints, fancy prints and Bazin prints

  • Money both legal tender or other

  • Personal effects including used personal items

  • Used clothes and shoes, bags, belts

  • Used vehicles

  • Gifts to Government or to NGO (Non Governmental Organisation)

  • Objects of art

  • Printed and developed cinematographic film

  • Journals and periodicals

  • Bank notes

  • Perishable goods, refrigerated goods such as fish, vegetables and fruits

  • Commercial samples

  • Arms and ammunitions

  • Goods procured following an international tender

  • Scrap material

  • Goods donated by foreign governments or international organisations or benevolent foundations TOGO – 29 September 2006 COTECNA Inspection S.A. – 4/4

  • Goods manufactured (country of origin) in ECOWAS states i,e, CEDEAO in French

  • Gold and precious metals

  • Hydrocarbons and all petroleum products

  • Goods imported by Diplomatic missions and Intenational Organisations and Consulates accredited to Togo.

  • Importations which are not paying import takes (must be declared with an I/I)

  • Postal and fiscal stamps

  • Stamped paper