Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Specific Information

Diplomat shipments: No duties on household goods or motor vehicles, but payment of the minimum customs tax "T.S." of EUR 30 per customs entry is required (double if both household goods and a vehicle are imported). The diplomatic franchise must be applied for by the diplomatic organization employing the owner of the goods. The process typically takes 2-3 weeks. The OBL and diplomatic card are necessary for this process. The franchise is issued by the MFA and must be endorsed by the customs head office before being handed over.

Tax identification number: The owner of the goods must register with the Internal Revenue Services, which takes approximately 3 days to provide a tax identification number used for importation of household goods. Diplomats are exempt from this requirement as long as their embassy or organization has a permanent tax identification number.

Telex/express release: If telex or express release is used, expect additional release fees of approximately USD 100 (per IAM) or EUR 100 (per FIDI).

Customs scanner and inspection: All non-diplomatic sea shipments are subject to customs scanner inspection. Additional fees of approximately USD 500 per TEU may apply. All shipments are subject to random customs inspection, with additional fees from the destination agent possible.

Local customs insurance: Compulsory for clearance purposes. Rates vary depending on the destination agent's insurance broker, from 0.15% to 1% of C&F value.

Cargo tracking note (BSC/CTN): All sea shipments must be accompanied by a cargo tracking note. This is processed locally by the destination agent.

Failure to provide documents: Missing any required documents may lead to customs fines and penalties ranging from EUR 100 to EUR 1,000.

ECOWAS/WAEMU membership: Cote d'Ivoire is a member of ECOWAS and WAEMU. The customs regime follows the Common External Tariff (CET) with tariff bands of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% depending on product category. VAT is 18% on all imported goods, plus an additional 2.6% tax on all imports.

Duties & Taxes

Import taxes on household goods (non-diplomats): 1% CIF value plus a fixed customs tax ("T.S.") of EUR 30 per shipment, provided customs grants free entry based on the documents provided. New items within a shipment are subject to full import duties of approximately 30-45% CIF value (per FIDI) or approximately 44% CIF value (per IAM and Scribd/FIDI summary). Electrical items will be considered new if invoices are not provided.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original registration card
• Rated OBL (showing net weight of car and 17-character chassis number)
• Non-sale certificate
• Change of residence certificate / transfer letter
• Copy of passport
• Purchase invoice (if new)
• Attestation of value for used cars from shipper

Specific Information

Duties: Approximately 35-45% CIF value depending on engine cubic centimeters and customs-assessed value (per FIDI). The IAM guide states approximately 44% CIF value, and the Scribd/FIDI summary states approximately 53%.

Age limit: On 6 December 2017, the Ivorian Council of Ministers adopted a decree limiting the age of previously owned vehicles imported into Cote d'Ivoire to five (5) years from the date of the vehicle's first registration. This measure took effect in March 2018. The IAM guide (2016) states vehicles older than 7 years cannot be imported without additional taxes and penalties; the more recent 5-year limit from the FIDI guide (2018) takes precedence.

Environmental penalty for older vehicles: If a vehicle is over 10 years old: environmental penalty of EUR 250 plus EUR 15 per additional year (per FIDI).

Separate shipment required: Vehicles for non-diplomats should not be sent in the same container as household goods and personal effects. Combining them will cause 4-6 weeks of clearance delays and additional charges.

Vehicle clearance process: Cars are automatically transferred to the customs car park (Guichet Unique) by an authorized agent (Cote d'Ivoire Logistique), where customs completes the assessment, payment of duties/taxes, and registration through its own appointed agent. Two customs offices are involved in vehicle clearance, creating a high risk of storage fees and demurrage.

CIL and Vignette fees: Expect additional charges of EUR 200-500 per vehicle.

Multiple vehicles: A customer can import as many vehicles as they wish in their own name.

Pets

• Rabies vaccination certificate (inoculation record)
• Veterinary health certificate issued by health authorities at the point of origin, dated at least 3 days before travel
• Import permit

Health certificate: The veterinary health certificate must indicate that no contagious disease (including rabies) has existed in the animal's territory of origin during the previous 6 weeks.

Import permit: Documents must be issued from the country of origin prior to entry. Wait for the import permit to be made available before shipping.

Species: Dogs and cats are permitted entry with proper documentation. An import license is required for other pet species.

CDC high-rabies-risk status: Cote d'Ivoire is on the CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. Dogs returning to the United States from Cote d'Ivoire must meet the CDC's enhanced requirements for dogs from high-risk countries, including the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form (completed before departure from the U.S.) or the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, plus a rabies serology titer test or 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility. Plan return travel requirements carefully before departure.