Country Guide: Benin
Updated: November 17, 2015
Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Packing list
- Copy of Passport
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL) – no Express Release accepted / Air Waybill (2 copies)
- Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaisons (BSC) / Cargo Tracking Note (CTN)
- Original valued inventory in French, dated and signed by the shipper
- Invoice for all electrical items less than 6 months old
- Resident / Work Permit / Letter of Employment
- Non-sale Certificate
- Diplomatic Exemption Certificate (Diplomats)
Specific Information
- The OBL must clearly indicate the weight in kilograms, the number of items, and also state “personal belongings.”
- The weight of the vehicle, if applicable, must be shown separately from weight of the personal effects.
- The BSC must be attached to the OBL.
- If BSC is not available, a penalty of 150 Euro will have to be paid in Benin.
- Resident / Work Permit / or Letter of Employment must explain that client is starting a new contract in Benin.
- The Non-sale Certificate must state that the client will not sell personal effects in Benin.
- Documents must be provided to agent prior to the arrival of the shipment to obtain duty-free clearance.
- All import shipments are subject to Customs inspection.
- Household goods are allowed in Benin duty free if they have been in the owner`s possession for at least 6 months.
- All Diplomat and non-Diplomat shipments are subject to a 3.65% import tax based on the declared value.
- A Diplomatic Exemption Certificate must be obtained before arrival of the goods to avoid storage charges.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Original Registration Card
- Original Bill of Lading / Freight Invoice
- Non-sale Certificate
- Origin Certificate
Specific Information
- Taxes on car will depend on age, power, etc.
- Approximately 50% CIF if no exemption
- 0.15% if diplomatic
- 5.85% if temporary admission
- The OBL must show chassis number, engine number, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, brand and model.
Pets
Documents Required
- Veterinarian Health Certificate
- Rabies Vaccination Certificate from origin country
Specific Information
- Documents must be received by agent prior to import.
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- Firearms and ammunitions (authorization from the territorial administration required)
- Drugs
- Alcohol (only “Fond de Cave”) is acceptable and duty free (maximum 12 bottles)
- Cigarettes (200), cigars (25), cigarillos (100), tobacco (250 g)
- Eau de toilette (500 ml)
- Perfume (250 ml)
- Guns, explosives and ammunition (authorization required)
- Knives and deadly weapons (authorization required)
- Plant and plant products (authorization is required)
- Meat and meat products (authorization is required)
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs
- Hazardous materials
- Animals and pets
- Asbestos
- Precious metals and stones
- Ivory
- Furs
- Gambling devices
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic 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.
Helpful Website(s):
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1066.html#entry_requirements