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