When shipping to Africa, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to ensure a smooth process. First, it is important to choose a reliable and experienced freight forwarder who has a good understanding of the continent and its various shipping routes. Missionary Expediters has over 60 years of experience shipping personal goods, vehicles, and relief cargo to Africa and can help you choose the best route for your shipment.
Once you have selected a freight forwarder, you will need to provide them with all of the necessary documentation for your shipment. This includes a commercial invoice, packing list or inventory, and any other required documents (see below). Your freight forwarder will then take care of arranging the shipping logistics and ensuring that your shipment arrives safely to its destination.
Read our article: How to Prepare Your Shipment for details on documents, planning and more!
When shipping to Africa, it is also important to be aware of any potential customs delays or issues. Your freight forwarder can help you navigate the customs process and ensure that your shipment is cleared in a timely manner. Overall, shipping to Africa can be a smooth and hassle-free process as long as you work with a reputable and experienced freight forwarder. Missionary Expediters can help you every step of the way, from choosing the best shipping route to navigating the customs process. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
Navigate below for information on the particular country you’re shipping to.
Algeria
The capital is Algiers. We generally ship through Oran or the port of Alger.
Requirements: Shipper should give street name, postal code, city, tax/VAT code and phone number. Provide your NIF numbers under document address. Customer trade registration number is mandatory on shipping instruction (exceptions: personal effects, embassies, ministries/government institutions and non-lucrative associations or organizations).
Angola
The capital is Luanda. We ship through Luanda or Lobito.
Requirements: CNCA loading certificate, bills of lading, standard forms. For shipments over $5000 an Import License + ARC number from Bureau Veritas is required. No cars greater than 3 years old and no trucks greater than 5 years old may be imported.
Benin
Cotonou is the major city and main port.
Requirements: all containers to Benin require a Cargo Tracking Note. Standard forms apply.
Botswana
The capital is Gaborone. We usually ship through Durban.
Requirements: standard forms. Vehicles older than 5 years may not be imported.
Burkina Faso
The major destination is Ouagadougou. As it is landlocked we ship through Lome, Abidjan, or Tema.
Requirements: cargo tracking note (ECTN), pre-shipment inspection (per COTECNA). Three Original Bills of Lading and a commercial invoice, packing list, and registration code required for the completion of the export customs formalities at least seven days before vessel arrival at discharge port.
Burundi
The capital is Bujumbura. We usually ship through Dar es Salaam.
Requirements: cargo with weight in excess of 13.5/27 tons per 20’/40′ including tare weight should be brought to the attention of DAROPS on a case-by-case basis. ECTN required. CY/CFS is accepted at booking level only from origin. Standard forms.
Cabo Verde
Also known as Cape Verde. Major destinations include Praia, Mindelo, and Las Palmas.
Requirements: standard forms.
Cameroon
The largest city and major port is Douala.
Requirements: standard forms.
Central African Republic (CAR)
The capital is Bangui. We usually ship through Douala.
Requirements: ECTN, PSI from Bureau Veritas, DIC (Déclaration d’Importation Commerciale), exoneration (F2), local insurance, detail note (note de détail), liquidation bulletin, standard forms.
Chad
We ship to N’Djamena and Moundou through Douala.
Requirements: ECTN, certificate of origin, dated Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice, standard forms.
Comoros
Major destinations include Moroni, Moheli, Mutsumadu, and Anjouan. We may ship through Durban.
Requirements: standard forms.
Congo (DRC)
Also known as Democratic Republic of the Congo.
We ship to many cities including Kinshasa, Goma, Lubumbashi, Bukavu, and Kalemie. Usually this requires going through the ports of Matadi, Douala, or Dar es Salaam.
Requirements: FERI certificate (from K-Polygone), local insurance, pre-shipment inspection (by BIVAC), standard forms.
All used trucks, cars or buses are NOT allowed to be imported if more than 10 years old (sometimes 7). For customs clearance, importers have to provide the original car registration document or legal copy, a legal conveyance certificate, and the original vehicle inspection certificate or legal copy from the country of origin.
Congo (ROC)
Also known as the Republic of the Congo.
The major city is Brazzaville and the major port is Pointe Noire.
Requirements: BESC certificate, cargo tracking note, ECTN (with TI number), standard forms.
Côte d’Ivoire
Also known as the Ivory Coast.
The major city and port is Abidjan.
Requirements: Intertek/SGS/Cotecna PVOC required if value exceeds $1,600, FRI (Fiches des Renseignements a l’Importation) numbers, BSC number (CTN) from FRABEMAR, standard forms.
The age limit of used vehicles allowed to be imported into Côte d’Ivoire is set by decree as follows:
- 5 years for cars (incl. tourism vehicles) and taxis
- 7 years for minibuses (from 9 to 34 seats) and trucks up to 5 tons
- 10 years for buses (more than 34 seats) and trucks exceeding 5 metric tons
Djibouti
The major city and port is Djibouti.
Requirements: standard forms.
Shipping into Djibouti or Ethiopia, DO NOT use the words Donation or Donated Relief Goods.
Egypt
The capital is Cairo and major seaport, Alexandria.
Requirements: valid 19-digit ACID (Advanced Cargo Information Declaration) number, tax IDs for all parties of the Bill of Lading, Exporter Registration Number, standard forms.
Equatorial Guinea
We mostly ship to Bata and Malabo.
Requirements: ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note), standard forms.
Import of used vehicles is not permitted unless approved by Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Eritrea
The capital is Asmara and major port, Massawa.
Requirements: standard forms.
Eswatini
Also known as Swaziland.
We usually ship to Mbabane, Matsapha, and Manzini through Durban.
Requirements: standard forms.
Ethiopia
Major destinations include Addis Ababa, Kombolcha, and Nefas Mewcha. As Ethiopia is landlocked we ship through Djibouti.
When shipping into Djibouti or Ethiopia DO NOT use the words Donation or Donated Relief Goods.
Requirements: Original and non-negotiable bills of lading (master and house), commercial or non-commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, donation certificate, rated house bill of lading with ocean freight up to Djibouti, insurance certificate up to final destination in Ethiopia, Health Certificate from your country health office (mandatory). The Bill of Lading has to be prepared in three originals. Consignee must be registered as per law in Ethiopia.
Parts of Ethiopia are in a state of conflict. Shipping may be difficult or impossible, depending on local conditions.
Gabon
The capital and largest port is Libreville.
Requirements: ECTN, BIETC (Bordereau d’Identification Électronique de Tracabilité des Cargaisons), standard forms.
Used vehicles older than 4 years are banned from imports to Gabon. For newer vehicles, the original car registration document or a legal copy is required.
Gambia
The major port and capital is Banjul.
Requirements: standard forms.
Ghana
The capital is Accra but the main port is Tema.
Requirements: PVoC pre-shipment inspection and certificate of conformity required for all shipments to Ghana (handled by BIVAC and called Easy Pass), IDF number, standard forms.
Used vehicles (cars and trucks) less than 10 years old can be imported without restriction. Any older vehicles will be subject to fines!
Guinea
The major port and capital is Conakry.
Requirements: standard forms.
Guinea-Bissau
The capital city and port is Bissau. We occasionally ship through Banjul as well.
Requirements: ECTN, standard forms.
Kenya
The capital is Nairobi but we often ship to many cities throughout Kenya. The main port is Mombasa.
Requirements: Pre-export verification of conformity, pre-shipment inspection, a copy of the importer’s certificate of incorporation, authorization letter to clear cargo, original import declaration form (IDF), original commercial invoice, original packing list, 2 endorsed copies of the Original Bill of Lading, certificate of origin, original inspection report (certificate of conformity) where applicable, and fumigation, radiation, and KEPHIS certificates where applicable. GMO products are banned for import.
Relief and donated goods will also require the original donation certificate, an invoice of no commercial value, an original exemption letter from the Minister of Finance, and an exemption code from customs, if applicable.
Used vehicles must be of right hand drive orientation and less than 8 years old. They should be inspected at country of origin to determine safety and condition. All used vehicles must be accompanied by a Certificate of Road Worthiness valid for at least 3 months from the date of inspection, a Certificate of Permanent Export from the exporting country, and have a suitable anti-corrosive agent applied to last for a minimum three months period while in transit at sea.
Lesotho
The capital is Maseru. Most cargo ships through Durban.
Requirements: standard forms.
Liberia
The capital and major port is Monrovia.
Requirements: CTN/ENS number, standard forms. A BIVAC pre-shipment inspection is not required for imports less than $3,500.
Libya
We mainly ship to the ports of Tripoli and Benghazi.
Requirements: ECTN (via ANTASER), standard forms.
Shipping used vehicles including boats, used cars, vehicles, tractors and trailers to Tripoli and Benghazi is PROHIBITED. They will be accepted for import into Khoms, Misurata and Benghazi only.
The age of the car cannot exceed 4 years.
Parts of Libya are in a state of conflict. Shipping may be difficult or impossible, depending on local conditions.
Madagascar
The capital is Antananarivo. We ship to ports including Toamasina and Toliara (Tulear).
Requirements: BSC (CTN), standard forms.
Malawi
The capital is Lilongwe. We usually ship through Beira, Durban, or Dar es Salaam.
Requirements: standard forms.
Mali
Most shipments go to Bamako via Dakar.
Requirements: ECTN (from FRABEMAR), standard forms