Moving to Senegal

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of passport
  • Packing list in French
  • Certificate of change of residence / moving certificate
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) – no express release accepted / air waybill (AWB)
  • Original inventory in French date, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods
  • Invoices for electrical and hi-fi appliances
  • Invoices for items bought less than 6 months prior to import
  • Residence / work permit / letter of employment
  • Non-sale certificate (must state that the owner of the goods will not sell personal effects)
  • Insurance certificate
  • Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) / Cargo Tracking Note (CTN)

Specific Information

  • Agent must receive documents at least 15 days prior to arrival of the shipment to obtain the duty-free exemption certificate.
  • Used household goods and personal effects are duty free if they have been in the owner of the goods’ possession and used for at least 6 months (must not be in new packaging).
  • Shipments are subject to inspection by Customs.
  • A refrigerator, stove, freezer, computer, television and VCR can be imported tax free if only one of each item; additional quantities will be taxed.
  • Satellite dishes are considered to be luxury items and are therefore taxed by Customs.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required                                          

  • Copy of passport
  • Original registration card
  • OBL / AWB
  • Non-sale certificate (must state that the owner of the goods will not sell automobiles within 2 years of importation)
  • Certificate of change of residence / letter of transfer
  • Purchase invoice
  • Insurance certificate

Specific Information

  • Motor vehicles older than 8 years cannot be imported.
  • Agent must receive copies of the required documents to avoid any delays, demurrage and storage charges due to the lengthy Customs procedures for vehicles.
  • The following motor vehicles cannot be imported:
    • Personal vehicles more than 5 years old.
    • Vehicles transporting goods not exceeding 3.5 tons or more and is more than 5 years old.
    • Vehicles transporting goods exceeding 3.5 tons or more and is more than 10 years old.
    • Motorcycles and vehicles of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc.

Pets

Documents Required

  • Vaccination record
  • Veterinary health certificate

Specific Information

  • The vaccination record must show a rabies vaccination no less than 1 month to and no more than 6 months prior to import.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Washing products and detergents enough for one month only are permitted.
  • Alcohol (“Fond de Cave”) is acceptable and is duty free (10 bottles).
  • Firearms and ammunitions (authorization from territorial administration is required)
  • The following items may qualify for free import if within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes (200), cigars (50)
    • Tobacco or tobacco products for tourists and persons over 18 years old only (250 g)
  • Meat and poultry products (phytosanitary certificate and dioxin free certificate are required)
  • Weapons and war ammunition (excludes collector’s items)

Prohibited Items

  • Unlawful drugs
  • Pornographic materials
  • Filament lamps

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