Country Guide: Gambia

Updated: November 24, 2015

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of Passport
  • Packing list
  • Original Bill of Lading (OBL) – no Express Release accepted / Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Original detailed inventory in English, dated, valued and signed by the shipper
  • Original detailed inventory for any new items bought less than 6 months before import in English, dated, valued and signed by the shipper, with the original invoices
  • Invoices for new electrical and hi-fi appliances, if applicable
  • Residence Permit / Work Permit / Letter of Employment
  • Non-sale Certificate (must state that the client will not sell personal items)

 

Specific Information

  • Used household goods are tax free with the exception of all electrical and hi-fi appliances.
  • Most removal shipments are opened and checked by Customs.
  • The duties to be paid for any shipment are generally 1.5% of the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value for processing fee + 0.55% ECOWAS tax.
  • For diplomatic shipments, the agent must receive required Customs documents prior to the shipment arrival in order to obtain and free entry (applies to household goods and vehicles).

 

 

Note: ECOWAS is an acronym denoting the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Economic Community of West African States.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Copy of Passport
  • Original Registration Card
  • Original Invoice / Letter of Sale (used cars)
  • OBL / AWB
  • Residence / Work Permit / Letter of Employment
  • Non-sale Certificate Specific Information  Vehicles are duty free.
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGO) must apply to Ministry of Finance for duty waiver
  • Processing and ECOWAS fee
  • Taxes and duties for new vehicles are as follows:

New Vehicle > 2000 cc

    • 35% Revenue tax based on the CIF value
    • 18% Duty based on the CIF value
    • 10% Sales tax (duty and CIF value)
    • 1,5% CIF processing fee
    • 0,05% ECOWAS

New Vehicle < 2000 cc

    • 18% CIF or D 10000 + 10% sales tax + 1,5% + 0,05% + D1 000 environment tax

Pets

Documents Required

  • Veterinary Health Certificate (authorization by the origin country is required)

 

Specific Information

  • Registration by the Gambian Veterinary Department upon entry into the country is required.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Firearms, explosives and ammunitions (authorization by the Inspector General of Police required)
  • Some vegetables, including potatoes, fruit, bulbs, and seeds (authorization required)
  • The following items may be imported duty free within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes (200), cigars (50), tobacco (500g)
    • Wine (1 liter), beer (1 liter), up to D1000.00 in other goods; contact agent for details

Prohibited Items

  • Unlawful drugs
  • Pornography
  • Knives and deadly weapons
  • Counterfeit money and goods
  • Illegal drugs
  • Pornographic material
  • Radio-communication equipment not approved for use at destination
  • Meat, poultry, and many other animal products
  • Plants, parts thereof, and plant produce including trees and shrubs

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://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/ga

http://www.gambiaembassy.us