Moving to Gambia

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of passport
  • Packing list
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
  • Original detailed inventory in English
  • Invoices for new electrical and hi-fi appliances, if applicable
  • Residence permit / work permit / letter of employment
  • Non-sale certificate (must state that the owner of the goods will not sell personal items)

Specific Information

  • Original detailed inventory in English, dated, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods; for any new items bought less than 6 months before import with the original invoices
  • Used household goods are tax free with the exception of all electrical and hi-fi appliances.
  • Most removal shipments are opened and checked by Customs.
  • The duties to be paid for any shipment are generally 1.5% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value for processing fee + 0.55% ECOWAS tax.
  • For diplomatic shipments, the agent must receive required Customs documents prior to the shipment arrival in order to obtain and free entry (applies to household goods and vehicles).

IAM Note:   ECOWAS is an acronym denoting the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Economic Community of West African States.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Copy of passport
  • Original registration card
  • Original invoice / letter of sale (used cars)
  • Original bill of lading / air waybill
  • Residence / work permit / letter of employment
  • Non-sale certificate

Specific Information

  • 35% revenue tax based on the CIF value
  • 18% duty based on the CIF value
  • 10% sales tax (duty and CIF value)
  • 1.5% CIF processing fee
  • 0.05% ECOWAS

Pets

Documents Required

  • Veterinary health certificate (authorization by the origin country is required)

Specific Information

  • Registration by the Gambian Veterinary Department upon entry into the country is required.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Firearms, explosives and ammunitions (authorization by the Inspector General of Police required)
  • Some vegetables, including potatoes, fruit, bulbs, and seeds (authorization required)
  • The following items may be imported duty free within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes (200), cigars (50),  tobacco (500g)
    • Wine (1 liter), beer (1 liter), up to D1000.00 in other goods; contact agent for details

Prohibited Items

  • Unlawful drugs
  • Pornography
  • Knives and deadly weapons
  • Counterfeit money and goods
  • Illegal drugs
  • Pornographic material
  • Radio-communication equipment not approved for use at destination
  • Meat, poultry, and many other animal products
  • Plants, parts thereof, and plant produce including trees and shrubs

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