Benin - Import Goods

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Procedure

1. The importers must employ a customs broker/clearing agent. (Customs brokers are licensed by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise
2. The importer must provide all the required documentation to the customs broker/clearing agent, which includes: the invoice, bill of lading (or airway bill), and if required SPS certificate, country of origin certificate, and any other permit or licence.
3. On the basis of these documents, the customs broker/clearing agent prepares the Customs Declaration Form C-100, which is a single administrative document.
4. A completed and signed Form is submitted by the customs broker/clearing agent to acustoms clearance one stop shop, SocietedExploitation du Guichet Unique (SEGUB)
5. SEGUB then issues a receipt/slip (Bordereau de Frais Unique BFU) to the clearing agent once the required clearing documents are submitted. Once issued, the BFU enables agents to remove cargo from the port within 24 hours.

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Required Documents

1. Bill of lading
2. Cargo tracking note (BESC)
3. Commercial invoice
4. Customs clearance document
5. Customs import declaration form C-100
6. Single Pay Slip (Bordereau de Frais Unique)
7. Technical standard / Health Certificate

Office Locations & Contacts

Directorate General of Customs and Excise

Telephone: 00 229 21 315703/315548

Fax: 00 229 21 316786

DirectorateEnforcement and Regulation

Tel. +229-21318740

Website: http://www.finances.bj

BENIN CUSTOMS HOUSE

01BP 400

CONTONOU

BENIN

PHONE +22921315548

+22921316786

Eligibility

All traders intending to import goods into Benin

Fees

• Nature of Import Procedures US$ Cost
• Documents preparation 350
• Customs clearance and technical control 200
• Ports and terminal handling 370
• Inland transportation and handling 600
• Totals 1,520

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Customs declaration form C-100

• http://skncustoms.com/pdfs/Revised%20Customs%20Form.pdf

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

It takes between 25 to 45 business days to import goods into Benin

Related Videos

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Instructions

1. Importers are advised to prepare and organise Import documents, entries and supporting documents filed for their own purpose
2. To facilitate importation of goods importers often use a clearing agent.
3. Goods for Importation shall be entered using customs declaration form c-100.
4. It is assumed that the contract has already been agreed upon and signed by both parties.
5. Documents required for clearance by government ministries, customs authorities, port and container terminal authorities, health and technical control agencies and banks are taken into account.

Required Information

1. importers name
2. Importers address
3. Consignor name
4. Consignor address
5. Name of items
6. Total number of packages
7. Port of entry
8. Date of arrival
9. Terms of payment
10. Country of consignment
11. Container number
12. Means of transport
13. Mode of transport
14. Nationality
15. Account holder
16. Description of goods
17. Customer procedure code
18. Country of origin
19. Net mass
20. Duties and taxes

Need for the Document

Import of goods in Benin mainly involves transaction and sell of goods from other countries into Benin. Import of goods is managed by the Benin Customs House.

Information which might help

Enter other informations which might help

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

http://www.watradehub.com/sites/default/files/Benin%20ECOWAS%20Free%20Trade%20Area%20Gap%20Analysis.pdf
http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/OverSeasNew.nsf/alldata/Benin

Others

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