Mozambique - Import Process for Personal Effects

This is the second in a series of posts covering the detailed process for importing and exporting HHG and PE to and from African countries. Hopefully my moving colleagues will find it useful.

All information courtesy of AGS Frasers.

TW

MOZAMBIQUE

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE / TIMEFRAME:

·       Sea shipments  à 7 to 8 working days*

·       Air shipments    à 3 to 4 working days*

*  Road shipment   à 3 to 4 working days*

*providing all requested documents have been submitted to AGS Frasers Mozambique at least 10 working days before shipment’s arrival

DOCUMENTATION:

Mozambiquan Returning Citizen

·       Detailed, valued inventory list in USD in Portuguese dated/signed by the client

·       2 sets of OBL + non-negotiable BL

·       Copy of passport (main pages + copy of last entry stamp to Mozambique)

·       Original declaration from the Mozambican High Commission or Embassy in origin country

Expatriate

·       Detailed, valued inventory list in USD in Portuguese dated/signed by the client

·       2 sets of OBL + non-negotiable BL

·       Copy of passport (main pages + copy of last entry stamp to Mozambique)

·       Original declaration in Portuguese from client’s employer in Mozambique

·       Copy of work permit valid for at least 12 months (Autorização de Trabalho) or Residence Permit (DIRE)

Diplomat

·       Detailed and valued inventory list in USD in Portuguese dated/signed by the client

·       2 sets of OBL + non-negotiable BL

·       Copy of passport (main pages + copy of last entry stamp to Mozambique)

·       Original declaration in Portuguese from client’s employer in Mozambique

·       Copy of diplomatic card

Please note that the diplomat must be in Mozambique for the issuance of the diplomatic card (approx. 10 days).

Unless delays occur at customs or port, the time frame is as follows:

Step 1 2 to 3 days	Submission of documents to customs for approval once the manifest has been received by customs.
Step 2 1 day	Release/legalisation of the OBL at shipping line’s office in Maputo after vessel’s arrival. We need 2 OBLs.
Step 3 1 to 2 days	Submission of the whole import file to customs office.
Step 4 1 to 2 days	Settlement of port charges and terminal storage charges + final arrangements at terminal to pick up the container.
Step 5 up to 2 days	Delivery at client’s residence.
Note for AIR SHIPMENTS	Airport storage charges apply from the day of the shipment’s arrival. Rate: 0,1 USD/gross kg per day (usually excluded from our rates)

IMPORTANT

§  Extra charges cannot be avoided in most cases (approx. $300 / 20’ and $500 / 40’).

§  Expatriates’ cars are subject to at least 50% of duties and taxes. Exemptions can be obtained for diplomats.

§  Shipments must arrive in Mozambique within 6 months of work permit/ diplomatic card issuance

Please note imports and exports customs clearance in Mozambique is smooth as long as documents are in order. Kindly inform your clients accordingly.

Time frame for export shipments from Maputo:

Sea shipments  à 7 to 10 days

AGS FRASERS MOZAMBIQUE

§  Established in 1997

§  600m² storage capacity

§  10 fully owned vehicles

§  23 staff members for service in English, French and Portuguese

Our Services

§  Customised solutions for local, national, office and international moves

§  Packing and crating services

§  Export and import customs clearance

§  Short- and long-term storage

§  Comprehensive relocation services/records management

More (potentially) good news

FROM TODAY'S WALL STREET JOURNAL ON-LINE EDITION:

"In the first week of August, U.S. President Barack Obama will convene the inauguralU.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington D.C., an unprecedented gathering of African business and political leaders and heads of state.

Considered something of a gamble by some, the summit is intended to foster stronger ties between the U.S. and Africa and to highlight to U.S. businesses the opportunities Africa presents for investment.

All but three of Africa’s 54 heads of state were invited to the summit. To date, more than 40 have agreed to attend. With so many African leaders converging on Washington for the event, the summit will be the largest event any U.S. President has held with African heads of state and government.

The day before the heads of state summit, some 200 African and American businesspeople as well as heads of state and other government officials will gather for the U.S.-Africa Business Forum. Co-hosted by the US Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the forum will have a specific focus on deepening trade and financial ties."

The gamble referred to above is the President's decision to meet with the heads of state as a group. A United States of Africa has been the subject of many a forum and even poetry, going back to the 1920's. The obstacles confronting such a dream prospect are many and are as diverse as the continent itself.

According to WSJ:

"The obstacles are formidable. Congolese women who trade eggs can’t cross borders without giving away part of their load to officials and facing threats of sexual assault, according to a 2012 World Bank report; South Africa has feuded with Nigeria and Kenya over visa rules for their citizens; and a territorial row between Malawi and Tanzania over a lake separating them has hampered oil exploration."

As I have posted previously, there are several economic blocs within the continent that are becoming more and more effective so, while a politically connected continent may be a poet's dream, an economically connected Africa could very well become a reality, even if several countries remain outside (Zimbabwe anyone?).

Despite the reservations, I would view the summit as a very positive step and it will have some immediate impact.

Again according to WSJ online, US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker stated that over $900 million of new investment will be announced at the summit. There is no indication as to the composition of the investment (Federal vs Commercial, infrastructure vs business) so we may have to wait until August to find out.

A meeting worth following!

the full WSJ article is at: 

http://blogs.wsj.com/frontiers/2014/07/25/qa-pritzker-and-bloomberg-discuss-the-u-s-africa-business-forum/

TW

This blog represents the opinions of the author and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions, or recommendations of Mobilitas or AGS Worldwide Movers. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The author makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. The blog is the property of the author and should not be re-posted without express, written consent.

Angola import and export processes for Personal Effects

This is the first in a series of posts covering the detailed process for importing and exporting HHG and PE to and from African countries. Hopefully my moving colleagues will find it useful.

All information courtesy of AGS Frasers.

TW

ANGOLA

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE / TIMEFRAME:

                         § Sea shipments  à 25 to 30 working days*

                         § Air shipments    à 10 to 12 working days*

DOCUMENTATION: *providing all requested documents have been submitted to AGS Frasers Angola

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

Angolan Returning Citizen

                        § Detailed and valued inventory list in Portuguese or English / 2 sets of OBL / 1 set of original CNCA

                         § Copy of passport (main pages + copy of visas related to foreign assignments)

                         § Copy of individual Angolan tax card (cartão de contribuinte)

                         § Import/employment declaration in Portuguese

Expatriate

                         § Detailed and valued inventory list / 2 sets of OBL / 1 set of original CNCA

                         § Copy of passport (main pages + copy of visas related to foreign assignments)

                         § Copy of shipper’s employer (company) Angolan tax card (cartão de contribuinte)

                         § Import/employment declaration in Portuguese

                         § Work permit application can be processed from overseas / approx. 2-3 months

Diplomat

                         § Detailed and valued inventory list / 2 sets of OBL / 1 set of original CNCA

                         § Copy of diplomatic passport + copy of Angolan diplomatic card

                         § Copy of Embassy’s Angolan tax card (cartão de contribuinte)

                         § Exemption certificate

IMPORTANT §  Extra charges cannot be avoided in Angola (approx. $3000 / 20’ and $4000 / 40’). §  Cars older than 3 years cannot be shipped to Angola. Please note imports and exports customs clearance in Angola is complex and lengthy. Kindly inform your clients accordingly. Timeframe for export shipments from Luanda: Sea shipments  à 4-6 weeks Air shipments    à 3-5 weeks

Please note that the diplomat must be in Luanda for the issuance of the diplomatic card (approx. 10 days). This document is required in order to initiate the exemption process (approx. 10 days).

DETAILED PROCESS FOR SEA SHIPMENTS:

Step 1 2 to 3 days	Should the value of the goods exceed $5,000, we will have to apply for an import license at the Trade Ministry in Luanda.
Step 2 1 to 2 days	Release/legalisation of the OBL at shipping line’s office in Luanda. We need 2 OBLs + CNCA.
Step 3 1 day	Preparation of the D.U. (Documento Unico / specific customs form for Angolan customs clearance formalities) prior to submission of the whole import file to the customs office in Luanda.
Step 4 6 to 10 days	Submission of the whole import file to customs office.
Step 5 up to 3 days	Issuance of the “note of payment” for import taxes and duties by customs office in Luanda.
Step 6 up to 2 days	Settlement of the “note of payment” and submission of proof of payment to customs office in Luanda.
Step 7 up to 3 days:	Issuance of the clearance note (nota de desalfandegamento) by customs office in Luanda.
Step 8 up to 3 days:	Settlement of the port charges and terminal storage charges + final arrangements at terminal to pick up the container.
Step 9 1 day	Offloading the container at our warehouse.
Step 10 2 days	Delivery at residence.

AGS FRASERS ANGOLA §  Established in 2002 §  1,000m2 storage capacity §  17 fully owned vehicles §  43 staff members for service in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish Our Services §  Customised solutions for local, national, office and international moves §  Packing and crating services §  Export and import customs clearance §  Short- and long-term storage §  Comprehensive relocation services/records management