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Guide Details
Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
- Copy of passport
- Original bill of lading (OBL) -- express/telex release is not accepted; original OBL required. For air shipments, air waybill (AWB).
- Original inventory in French, dated, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods
- Packing list in French
- Certificate of change of residence (*certificat de changement de résidence*) or moving certificate
- Invoices for electrical and hi-fi appliances
- Invoices for any items purchased within the 6 months prior to import
- Residence permit, work permit, or letter of employment
- Non-sale certificate (declaration that the owner will not sell personal effects)
- Insurance certificate
- Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) / Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) -- required for all sea freight shipments to Senegal
Specific Information
The destination agent must receive all documents at least 15 days before the shipment's arrival in order to obtain the duty-free exemption certificate. Missing this window will result in delays and storage charges accruing at the port.
Used household goods and personal effects are exempt from customs duty if they meet all of the following conditions: the items have been in the owner's possession and use for at least 6 months (items in original/new packaging do not qualify); the items are not intended for sale; and the non-sale certificate is provided.
One each of the following major appliances may be imported duty-free: refrigerator, stove/cooker, freezer, computer, television, and VCR/media player. Additional units of these items are subject to customs duties.
Satellite dishes are classified as luxury items and are taxed by Customs regardless of personal use status.
All shipments are subject to customs inspection.
BSC/CTN requirement: The Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (Cargo Tracking Note) is a mandatory document for all sea freight imports into Senegal. It must be obtained before shipment departs from origin. The destination agent should advise on the current issuing authority and process.
Senegal applies an 18% VAT on most imports. Personal household goods qualifying for duty-free exemption may not attract VAT, but this should be confirmed with the destination agent at the time of booking.
All solid wood packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment standards.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited from import into Senegal:
- Illegal drugs and narcotics
- Pornographic materials
- Filament lamps (incandescent bulbs -- prohibited as part of energy efficiency regulations)
- Weapons and war ammunition not qualifying as collector's items (without authorization) [PERMIT REQUIRED]
- Products from endangered species protected under CITES [CITES]
- Counterfeit goods
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Accompanied baggage allowances (duty-free, persons 18 and over):
Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco products.
Alcohol ("Fond de Cave" -- personal cellar stock): up to 10 bottles, duty-free. Alcohol beyond this allowance is subject to duties.
Washing products and detergents: Limited to a one-month personal supply. Quantities beyond this are subject to duties.
Meat and poultry products: Permitted with a phytosanitary certificate and a dioxin-free certificate. Without these documents, meat and poultry will be refused entry or confiscated.
Firearms and ammunition: Require authorization from the relevant territorial administration authority (*administration territoriale*). This must be arranged in advance of shipment. [PERMIT REQUIRED]
Plants and plant products: A phytosanitary certificate is required for all plant material.
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Required Documents
- Copy of passport
- Original registration card (from country of origin)
- Original bill of lading (OBL) or AWB
- Non-sale certificate (declaration that the owner will not sell the vehicle within 2 years of importation)
- Certificate of change of residence or letter of transfer
- Purchase invoice
- Insurance certificate
Specific Information
Senegal enforces strict age restrictions on imported vehicles. The following vehicle categories cannot be imported:
- Personal passenger vehicles more than 5 years old from the date of manufacture
- Light goods vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) more than 5 years old
- Heavy goods vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) more than 10 years old
- Motorcycles and other vehicles with engine displacement not exceeding 50 cc
The overall age limit for any motor vehicle import is 8 years from year of manufacture.
The destination agent must receive copies of all required vehicle documents well in advance of the shipment's arrival to initiate customs procedures and avoid demurrage and storage charges. Vehicle customs procedures in Senegal are lengthy; early coordination is essential.
Pets
- ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785) -- must be implanted before vaccination; all documentation must reflect the microchip number
- Rabies vaccination certificate: vaccination administered between 21 days and 12 months before entry (if a booster is due, the 21-day wait is not required provided the booster is given before the previous vaccination expires; puppies and kittens must be vaccinated after 3 months of age and wait 30 days before travel)
- International veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the government veterinary authority of the originating country, within 10 days of entry (a second certificate should be issued within 48 hours of travel)
- Import authorization from the Directorate of Veterinary Services of Senegal (*Direction des Services Vétérinaires*) -- required for all dogs and cats and must be obtained before travel
- Records of parasite treatment (internal and external) -- recommended but not mandatory
Microchipping must precede vaccination. The microchip must comply with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If the chip is not ISO-compliant, the owner must bring a compatible scanner.
Senegal does not require a rabies titer test for entry. However, Senegal is classified by the World Organization for Animal Health as a high-rabies-risk country. Pet owners planning to return their animal to its country of origin after a stay in Senegal should verify whether a titer test will be required for re-entry.
Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia. These vaccinations should be current at the time of import.
Pets not meeting import requirements are subject to quarantine, return to origin, or euthanasia at the owner's expense.
Senegal does not publish a list of banned breeds.
Flights should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air and sea shipments.
All documentation must be in French or accompanied by certified French translations. The inventory must be in French, dated, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods.
The original bill of lading is mandatory -- express or telex release is not accepted. Ensure the original OBL is couriered to the destination agent and arrives at least 15 days before the vessel to allow time to obtain the duty-free exemption certificate.
The BSC (Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison / Cargo Tracking Note) is required for all sea freight to Senegal and must be obtained at origin before departure. The destination agent should advise on the current issuing process.
The Port of Dakar (Port Autonome de Dakar) is the main entry point for sea freight. It is a busy port and demurrage charges accrue quickly. Prompt and complete documentation submission is essential to avoid unnecessary storage fees.
Items purchased within 6 months of import require purchase invoices. Items in original/new packaging do not qualify for the duty-free used goods exemption and will be assessed for duty.
Cultural & Other Information
Senegal is a coastal West African nation and one of the region's most stable democracies. The capital is Dakar, which serves as a major regional hub for finance, transportation, and culture. French is the official language; Wolof is the most widely spoken national language. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with other WAEMU member states and pegged to the Euro.
Senegal is a member of ECOWAS and WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union), and applies the WAEMU Common External Tariff. The country has experienced significant economic growth, driven in recent years by offshore oil and gas production following major discoveries in the 2010s.
Islam is the predominant religion, practiced by approximately 95% of the population; the country is known for its religious tolerance and the prominence of Sufi brotherhoods, particularly the Mouride order centered in Touba. Senegalese culture is characterized by the concept of *teranga* (hospitality), and Dakar has a vibrant arts, music, and culinary scene.
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