Moving to Gabon

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required 

  • Copy of passport
  • Original bill of lading  (OBL) / no express release / sea waybill / air waybill (AWB) / electronic cargo tracking note
  • Original valued inventory in French, dated, and signed by the owner of the goods
  • Invoice for all electrical items less than 6 months old
  • Change of residence certificate (available from local native country embassy)
  • End of employment letter from employer
  • Resident permit / work permit / letter of employment in Gabon (expatriate)
  • Exemption certificate and letter from the Gabon embassy (diplomats)
  • Non-sale certificate 

Specific Information

  • All documents must be provided to the destination agent 2 weeks before arrival of the shipment in order to apply and be granted duty free clearance prior to arrival of the shipment.
  • The certificate for free entry must be obtained from the Customs head office; when granted, the shipment is duty free.
  • All new items less than 6 months old are subject to taxes.
  • All owners of the goods must pay a tax on imported items of approximately 3% to 4% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value (RUSID tax) of the shipment.
  • Diplomats do not need to be in Gabon to apply for exemption certificate.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Original registration card
  • Proof of ownership
  • Original certificate of title and registration
  • Purchase invoice
  • Original bill of lading / air waybill
  • Interpol authorization
  • Cargo tracking note (BIETC – Bordereau d’Identification Electronique de Tracabilite des Cargaisons)
  • Roadworthy certificate issued in the country of origin

Specific Information

  • Tax is payable on all shipments of approximately 53.4% of the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value.
  • The original bill of lading must identify the chassis number, engine number, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, brand, and model.
  • Car must not be older than 3 years old. 

Pets

Documents Required 

  • Vaccination record
  • Veterinary health certificate

Specific Information

  • Veterinary health certificate must be issued less than 3 days before departure by a veterinarian.
  • Cats and dogs less than 3 months old are exempt from document requirements.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Cameras (2)
  • Firearms and ammunitions (authorization from the territorial administration is required)
  • Alcohol (only “Fond de Cave”) is acceptable and is duty free (20 bottles)
  • Some items may qualify for free import if within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes (200), cigarillos (200), tobacco (250 g)

Prohibited Items

  • Firearms, ammunitions (submitted to authorization from territorial administration)
  • Illegal drugs
  • Counterfeit items
  • Pornographic materials
  • Plants and plant materials

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Cultural and Other Information