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.

Helpful Website(s):

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/gabon.html