Moving to Guinea – Bissau

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required 

  • Passport
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / telex release / air waybill (AWB)
  • Packing list valued in Euros
  • Purchase receipts / sales invoices
  • Certificate of change of residence
  • Transfer of employment from employer
  • Detailed valued inventory in Euros, no-sale attestation
  • Cargo tracking note
  • Diplomatic exemption certificate from diplomatic organization

Specific Information

  • Household effects and office equipment (Customs duties and tax are 41% of the declared value).
  • Documents must be received by the destination agent at least 8 days prior to shipment arrival.
  • Customs clearance takes approximately 10-30 days.
  • Non-diplomats must pay Customs fees of approximately 40% of the declared value on the packing list; fees for returning citizens are dependent upon the duration of stay abroad.
  • Diplomats must obtain a diplomatic card from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to shipment arrival, which may take up to 30 days.
  • Diplomats are exempt from duty payment but must pay tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value on the packing list in Euros.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Original title / registration

Specific Information

  • Customs tax and duties are based on the cost, insurance and freight (CIF), year of manufacture and engine power of the vehicle.

Pets

Documents Required 

  • Veterinarian health certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate from origin country

Specific Information

  • Documents must be available upon arrival of the shipment to Guinea-Bissau.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • New household effects and office equipment (Customs duties and taxes are approximately 41% of the declared value on the packing list)
  • Alcohol (2.5 L)
  • Perfume (bottles must be previously opened and a reasonable quantity for personal use)
  • Foreign currency (must be declared upon arrival and sums larger than USD 2 million require a bank transfer)

Prohibited Items

  • Illegal drugs
  • Firearms and weapons
  • Medicines and controlled drugs
  • Plants and plant products
  • Indecent, obscene, or pornographic materials
  • Deadly weapons
  • Counterfeit / pirated items / currencies

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