Mozambique

Specific Information

Only used household goods owned for more than 2 years are eligible for duty exemption. No imported goods may be sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of for 24 months from their date of entry unless customs duties are first paid.

Importers are eligible for duties exemption on 1 sea import and 1 air import (or road import) within the first 6 months of arrival. Additional imports using the same mode of transport, or imports made more than 6 months after arrival, will likely not be granted duties exemption.

All personal effects and household goods must be imported within 2 months of the returning resident's arrival. For immigrants who have been granted a work or resident permit, goods must arrive within 3 months of the date the permit was granted. Diplomatic shipments must be imported within 6 months of the diplomat's arrival.

Additional household goods imported as a consequence of a spousal reunion (whether for an expatriate or diplomat) may qualify for duties exemption. Contact the destination FIDI representative for details.

Customs does not publish an official list of required documents. The list is informal, and Customs officials are entitled to request additional documents at their discretion.

Shipment valuation levy: Any shipment with a CIF value above USD 50,000 will be charged a fee of 0.85% of its CIF value, regardless of the importer's diplomatic or exempt status.

Resale restriction: Imported goods may not be sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of for 24 months from the date of customs entry unless duties are paid at that point.

ISPM 15: All wooden packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary standards. Confirm requirements with the destination agent before packing.

Customs clearance times: Sea container household goods typically take 5 to 7 working days to clear. Air freight household goods typically take 4 to 5 working days after cargo arrives at Maputo Airport. Original Bills of Lading are required in most cases; express and telex releases are generally not accepted.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Letter from employer **For Incoming Foreign Diplomats**
• Copy of Diplomat Card issued by MINEC after arrival **For Incoming Foreign Diplomats**
• Valid passport copy **For Incoming Foreign Diplomats**
• Purchase invoice in English (max. USD 50,000; above this, the 0.85% levy applies) **For Incoming Foreign Diplomats**
• NUIT of the vehicle owner **For Incoming Foreign Diplomats**
• Modelo 75 form, completed and approved by MINEC. Approval takes 2 to 6 weeks. **For Incoming Foreign Diplomats**
• Letter from the Embassy of origin **For Returning Mozambican Diplomats**
• Passport copy with most recent Mozambican border entry stamps **For Returning Mozambican Diplomats**
• Purchase invoice (max. USD 50,000) **For Returning Mozambican Diplomats**
• Mozambican ID Card **For Returning Mozambican Diplomats**
• NUIT **For Returning Mozambican Diplomats**
• Proof of duties payment (duties amount to 80% to 130% of the cost of the vehicle; request a simulation from the destination agent before shipping) **For Incoming Expatriates (Non-Diplomatic)**
• NUIT **For Incoming Expatriates (Non-Diplomatic)**
• Passport copy **For Incoming Expatriates (Non-Diplomatic)**
• Purchase invoice **For Incoming Expatriates (Non-Diplomatic)**
• Bank acknowledgment **For Incoming Expatriates (Non-Diplomatic)**

Specific Information

Vehicle import duties for non-diplomatic importers range from 80% to 130% of the vehicle's assessed value. The precise rate depends on the vehicle's age, engine size, power, and HS code classification. Request a cost simulation from the destination FIDI representative before committing to a shipment.

Diplomats may import 1 vehicle duty-free under their name. MINEC and Customs may or may not accept a second vehicle from another family member as duty-free; this must be confirmed with the diplomatic mission before shipping. The second vehicle must be in the family member's own name and supported by documents in that person's name.

Motorbikes and quad bikes are treated as vehicles for customs purposes and count toward the 1-vehicle duty-free allowance. Motorized flying and floating vehicles (boats, aircraft) are subject to prior authorisation and a specific legalization process; contact the destination agent before proceeding.

If a diplomat's vehicle is sold within 5 years of import, customs duties become payable on the sale. Beyond the first 5 years, the vehicle may be sold without prior duty payment.

The OBL must state chassis number, engine number, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, make, and model. Depending on the HS code, the vehicle may be subject to pre-shipment inspection.

Ro-Ro risk: Vehicle import via the Ro-Ro terminals at Maputo carries notable risks of additional charges due to very high parking fees at the terminal. Container shipping is generally preferable for vehicles.

Document timing: All documents must be received by the destination agent at least 1 week before shipment arrival. Vehicle Customs clearance by sea takes 7 to 10 working days from container reflection on the Customs extranet. Ro-Ro clearance also takes 7 to 10 working days.

Left-hand drive: Left-hand drive vehicles intended for commercial use are prohibited from import. Confirm classification with the destination agent for personal-use left-hand drive vehicles.

Concealed vehicles: Hiding vehicles such as motorbikes or sailboats within household goods shipments through dismantling is illegal and can cause serious complications for the destination agent and the shipper.

Pets

• ISO-compatible microchip. The microchip should be implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination. Only microchips implanted by an official, registered veterinarian are accepted.
• Rabies vaccination certificate. Vaccination must be at least 30 days old but no more than 1 year old at the time of entry. Annual boosters are required; multi-year rabies vaccinations are not accepted.
• Vaccinations against relevant diseases: dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis; cats against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia. All vaccinations must be current.
• International veterinary health certificate, issued within 10 days of departure, countersigned by the State Veterinarian. All documentation must reflect the owner's name.
• Import permit from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, valid for 60 days from date of issue. Applications should be submitted well in advance.

Breed restrictions (effective 1 May 2024): Mozambique introduced a ban on the import of 16 potentially dangerous dog breeds. The list includes: Dogo Argentino, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, Bull Terrier, Akita Inu, Kangal, Bullmastiff, wolf-mixed breeds, English Mastiff, Boerboel, Cane Corso, American Bulldog, Fila Brasileiro, and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Dogs of these breeds may be importable with additional documentation and for specific approved purposes. Confirm requirements with the destination agent and the Directorate of Veterinary Services well in advance.

Pets must be at least 4 months old to travel to Mozambique. Vaccinations must be administered by an official, registered veterinarian; vaccinations given by a veterinary nurse, breeder, or welfare organisation staff are not accepted.

Healthy pets that meet all import requirements are not quarantined on arrival. Mozambique is a rabies-endemic country and vaccinations should be kept current throughout the stay.

The pet import process is relatively straightforward for cats, dogs, and horses. Import for other species may be more complex. Applications in all cases should be directed to the Directorate of Veterinary Services. There is no FIDI affiliate working on animal imports in Mozambique; the local FIDI member can suggest a reliable specialist.

Citrus fruits, seeds, and deciduous plants may not be imported unless an import licence has been obtained in advance from the relevant agricultural authorities.