Importing goods into Senegal

1. Formalities prior to exporting to Senegal

An issue of NINEA is required for customs clearance. You have two options for obtaining it.

1. Setting up a Senegalese company if you do business in Senegal

•  Setting up a company and obtaining a NINEA (national identification number for companies and associations), the application can be made at the one-stop shop for business start-ups at theAPIX
• Apply for merchant card
• Apply for import-export card

1. Have a Senegalese partner with a NINEA

The Senegalese partner (natural or legal person) may be, for example, a representative of the exporting company, a dealer or a buyer.

1. Pre-clearance formalities
2. Collection of documents required for customs clearance in Europe

The Market Access Database provides comprehensive information on the documents required for each product exported.

1. Declaration of goods by the customs agent

All goods imported into Senegal must be declared in detail.

A prior import declaration is compulsory for properties worth more than FCA 1,000,000 (approximately €1,524).

Goods costing more than 3,000,000 FCA (approximately 4,573 euros) and all full container shipments, regardless of the value, must be subject to a prior import verification with certain exceptions.
Note that certain products are subject to an import ban in Senegal: (cars over eight years old since 2012, poultry since 2005, carrots in 2019, etc.).

III. Verification and control of goods in Senegal

- Senegalese customs check imports on the basis of the cargo manifest;
- Checks on compliance with declarations are possible, and customs officers have the power to escort goods to their place of storage for verification;
- Customs officers can check declarations after customs clearance, carry out revisions and impose penalties in the event of infringement(s).

1. The costs involved
2. In Europe

• Transport costs depending on container size
• Freight forwarder's expenses

1. In Senegal

• Customs duties: Senegal applies five levels of customs duty: 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 35%, depending on the product category.
• Statistical charge (RS) generally 1%
• Community Solidarity Levy (PCS) generally 1%
• ECOWAS direct debit (PCC) 1%
• Senegalese Shippers' Council (COSEC) 0.4%
• VAT at the single rate of 18% except for products exempt from VAT;
• Landing fees ;
• Freight forwarder ;
• Possibly storage costs if the goods have to remain at the port beyond the free-of-charge period.

Other more specific taxes apply to certain products, including :

• The 10% short-term import tax on certain products (sugar, wheat flour, tomato concentrate, fruit juices, sweetened and unsweetened condensed milk, etc.);
• Domestic taxes (on alcohol, soft drinks, edible fats, etc.);
• 20% surcharges on certain products (cigarettes, onions, potatoes, etc.);

Visit the Market Access Database for further information.

1. Practical info :
2. Senegal's position in the world and in the sub-region

Senegal is strategically located between Europe, North America, South America and Africa. The port of Dakar is also a major trade hub in the sub-region.
Nearly 15% of imports arriving through the port of Dakar are destined for Mali.

1. Regional Economic Free Trade Area

1°. UEMOA and ECOWAS
The originating products from the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are exempt from all other duties and taxes when imported into a Member State, with the exception of value added tax and other internal taxes (if applicable).

2°. The Continental African Free Trade Area (CAFTA)

The agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in force since 30 May 2019, opens up the largest trade area in the world. The agreement provides for the abolition of certain customs barriers; the details of its application have yet to be defined.

1. Practical advice: 

• Choose your customs agent from among those who are approved and ideally recommended;
•  Keep all proof of your actions and transactions;
•  Be patient and keep your cool when things go wrong;
• Remain courteous in all circumstances.

If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: e-mail: contact@sunulex.sn .