Country Guide: Equatorial Guinea

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of Passport
• Packing list in French or Spanish
• Original Visa
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
• Detailed valued inventory in French or Spanish, dated, and signed by the shipper
• Purchase invoices must clearly identify electrical items, date, year and place of purchase
• Invoices for all electrical items less than 6 months old
• Original Certificate of Transfer on employer letterhead with start date of employment
• Duty-Free Certificate (Diplomats)
• Change of Residence Certificate and detailed valued inventory list, stamped and signed by the consulate of Equatorial Guinea in the origin country (returning citizens).

 

Specific Information

• Used household goods are not duty free for returning residents, returning diplomats and people coming to work in Equatorial Guinea, except those working for companies that have a protocol agreement with the government in which an exemption of duties is clearly stipulated.
• The attendance of the shipper is not required for import customs clearance.
• The taxes for import are outlined as follows:
  • None – Diplomats
  • 10% on all used household goods based on the declared value as per valued inventory list
  • 51.9% on new car
  • 38% on appliances
  • 50% for food (no tax if reasonable quantity)
  • 110 % for alcohol or tobacco (no tax if reasonable quantity)
• It takes approximately 8 days to get the franchise; demurrage and storage charges may be charged during this time (Diplomats).

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

•  Copy of Passport
• OBL / AWB
• Letter of Employment
• In addition to above documents needed for all auto shipments, the below are also required:

New car

• Purchase Invoice
• Insurance document
• Sale / purchase certificate

Used car

• Car registration documents
• Insurance documents

 

Specific Information

• If the car is imported as personal effects, under the name of the client, and was owned for at least 6 months, then no import duties will be charged; if not, duties of 51.9% CIF value are applicable.
• Authorization from the Ministry of Transportation in Equatorial Guinea and from the Port authorities is required and must be obtained before shipping from origin port.

Pets

Documents Required

• Rabies Vaccination Certificate
• Veterinary Health Certificate

 

Specific Information

• All animals subject to examination by a Customs veterinarian.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Alcohol (only “Fond de Cave”) is acceptable and duty free (maximum 20 bottles)
• Weapons and ammunition (permission required)
• The following items may be imported duty free:
  • Firearms and ammunitions (authorization from the territorial administration required)
  • Tobacco (250 grams), cigars (50), cigarettes (200)
  • Perfume (reasonable quantity)
  • Currency greater than XAF 50,000

Prohibited Items

• Drugs
• Pornography, defamatory, or obscene publications
• Clothing resembling that of the military
• Books and movies relating to wars or terrorist events
• Binoculars and high-tech cameras

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_1110.html

http://www.embassy.org/embassies/gq.html