Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required 

• Copy of passport entry stamp in Ivory Coast
• Packing list in French
• Original detailed and valued inventory in French, dated, and signed by the owner of the goods
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB).
• Bordereau de suivi de cargaison / cargo tracking  note
• Diplomatic card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ivory Coast
• Diplomatic franchise (exemption certificate)
• Original move certificate delivered at origin by city or consulate in the country of departure
• Copy of residency card / work permit
• Letter of employment in Ivory Coast (in French) certifying starting date and position
• Certificate of filiation / etat de filiation (document from the owner of the goods giving details on: parents, name, date of birth, and address)

Specific Information

• Import taxes apply on HHG items at 1% CIF value + EUR 30 per shipment for non-diplomats.
• If telex/express release expect additional release fees (+/- USD 100)
• Diplomats still pay minimum tax EUR 30 per shipment (double if HHG & POV)
• Diplomatic franchise must be applied for by the diplomatic organization employing the owner of the goods.
  • Process usually takes 2-3 weeks.
  • OBL and diplomatic card are necessary for this process.
  • The franchise is issued by the MFA and needs to be endorsed by Customs head office before being handed over.
• Owner of the goods must register with Internal Revenue Services, which takes approximately 3 days to provide with a tax identification number used only for importation of HHG. 
• Tax payer identification numbers are not required for diplomats as long as their embassy/organization has a permanent one.
• Non-diplomatic sea shipments are subject to Customs scanner and inspection.
  • Additional fees than expected (approx USD 500/TEU).  
• Electrical items will be considered new if invoices are not provided.
• Import duties and taxes apply to new items at approximately 44% CIF value.
• Sea shipments take within 7-15 business days to arrive providing all requested documents have been submitted prior to shipment arrival.
• Air shipments take within 5-10 business days to arrive providing all requested documents have been submitted prior to shipment arrival.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original registration card
• OBL (showing net weight of car and 17 characters chassis number)
• Purchase invoice (if new)

Specific Information

• Vehicles older than 7 years cannot be imported without additional taxes and penalties.
• Vehicles for non-diplomats should not be sent in the same container as the household goods and personal effects (expect then 4-6 weeks clearance delays and additional charges)
• Customs duties & taxes at approx. 44% CIF value
• Other expected extra charges: “CIL & Vignette” fees (EUR 200-500 per vehicle).

Pets

Documents Required 

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate
• Import permit

Specific Information

• Documents must be issued from country of origin prior to entry and wait for import permit to be made available.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Firearms and ammunition (authorization from the territorial administration is required)
• The following items may qualify for free import within the limits indicated:
• Cigarettes (200), cigars (25), cigarillos (100)
• Tobacco (250 g)
• Wine and spirits (1 bottle)
• Perfume (250 ml)

IAM Note: It is advisable to avoid food / new items in air shipments, and large quantities of food / new items in non-diplomatic sea shipments. 

Prohibited Items

• Illegal drugs
• Pornographic materials
• Plants and plant materials
• Soil
• Fertilizers
• Counterfeit items
• Subversive 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/cote-divoire.html