Gabon
Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / no express release / sea waybill / air waybill (AWB) / electronic cargo tracking note
- Original valued inventory in French, dated, and signed by the owner of the goods
- Invoice for all electrical items less than 6 months old
- Change of residence certificate (available from local native country embassy)
- End of employment letter from employer
- Resident permit / work permit / letter of employment in Gabon (expatriate)
- Exemption certificate and letter from the Gabon embassy (diplomats)
- Non-sale certificate
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 owners of the goods 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.
- Diplomats do not need to be in Gabon to apply for exemption certificate.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Original registration card
- Proof of ownership
- Original certificate of title and registration
- Purchase invoice
- Original bill of lading / air waybill
- Interpol authorization
- Cargo tracking note (BIETC – Bordereau d’Identification Electronique de Tracabilite des Cargaisons)
- Roadworthy certificate issued in the country of origin
Specific Information
- Tax is payable on all shipments of approximately 53.4% of the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value.
- The original bill of lading must identify the chassis number, engine number, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, brand, and model.
- Car must not be older than 3 years old.
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
- Cameras (2)
- 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)
Prohibited Items
- Firearms, ammunitions (submitted to authorization from territorial administration)
- 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.
NOTE: Customs rules can shift at any time with or without notice. This paper is meant to be informative and a guide. ISF Customs Broker offers no claim, either explicit or implied, as to the correctness or relevance of this paper although ISF Customs Broker has taken reasonable care in releasing it.
