Country Guide: Gabon – Port Gentil

Updated: November 24, 2015

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of Passport
  • Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / no Express Release / Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Original valued inventory in French dated and signed by the shipper
  • Change of Residence Certificate (available from city of departure)
  • Invoice for all electrical items less than 6 months old
  • Resident Permit / Work Permit / Letter of Employment
  • Non-sale Certificate (declaration that shipper will not sell personal effects in Gabon).
  • Bordereau d`identification de Cargaison (BIC), available from the SS Line at departure
  • Certificate for Free Entry

 

Specific Information

  • All documents must be provided to the destination agent 2 weeks before arrival of the shipment in order to apply and be granted duty free clearance prior to arrival of the shipment.
  • The Certificate for Free Entry must be obtained from the Customs head office; when granted, the shipment is duty free.
  • All new items less than 6 months old are subject to taxes.
  • All shippers must pay a tax on imported items of approximately 3 to 4% of the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value (RUSID Tax) of the shipment.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Original Registration Card
  • Proof of ownership
  • Original Certificate of Title and Registration
  • Purchase Invoice
  • OBL / AWB

 

Specific Information

  • Tax is payable on all shipments of approximately 53.4% of the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value.
  • The OBL must identify the chassis number, engine number, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, brand and model.

Pets

Documents Required

  • Vaccination Record
  • Veterinary Health Certificate

 

Specific Information

  • Veterinary Health Certificate must be issued less than 3 days before departure by a veterinarian.
  • Cats and dogs less than 3 months old are exempt from document requirements.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Firearms and ammunitions (authorization from the territorial administration is required)
  • Alcohol (only “Fond de Cave”) is acceptable and is duty free (20 bottles)
  • Some items may qualify for free import if within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes (200), cigarillos (200), tobacco (250 g)
  • Cameras (2)

Prohibited Items

  • Illegal drugs
  • Counterfeit items
  • Pornographic materials
  • Plants and plant 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_1120.html

http://gabonembassyusa.org/EN/index.html