Liberia - Import goods

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Procedure

The procedure to be followed to import goods in Liberia is as follows.

• Obtain an import permit, if the types of goods require you to (food, drugs, chemical, agricultural products and machinery)
• The first thing you should do is to ensure that all goods to be imported meet Liberian standards as prescribed by General Authority for Import/Export/Quality Control in Liberia at the Ministry of Commerce and industries.
• Send information to the supplier clear describing the following
  • Good description
  • Technical specifications
  • Quantity
  • Price
  • Delivery period
  • Regulatory requirements
  • Confirm that the goods are not on the prohibited list
  • Check to make sure that the goods do not attract anti-dumping duties
  • Determine the cost, organize funding, and obtain advice from your bank
  • Discuss with the supplier, sign a contract and make payment as agreed
  • Before the goods get in the country you should:
  • Obtain the commercial invoice, packing list bill of lading, certificate of conformity
  • Appoint a clearing agent who will compute the customs duty, transport charges and advice you accordingly
  • Obtain the relevant quality certificates
  • When the goods arrive, you should do the following:
  • Process the goods through customs
  • Obtain a release order
  • Authenticate compliance certificate
  • Pay transport charges, collect goods and transport to your premise

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Required Documents

1.Import card issued by the General Authority for Import and Export equity control at the ministry of commerce and industries.

2.Taxation card This card is obtained from Taxation authority or any of its offices in the country.

3.Three additional forms obtained from Import and export executive regulations issued by the minister of commerce and industries.

4.The document which includes information on the type,quantity,price, and country of origin of the imported commodities.

5. Bill of lading.The Bill of Lading must contain the terms "Consignee" and Notify Part.

6.Original invoice.There is no prescribed format to the commercial invoice.

7. Packing lists

8.Certificate of origin.Should be issued in a minimum of three copies (additional copies may be requested by importer

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Commerce and Industries Liberia

Axel M. Addy

Minister

Email: [email protected]

Call: +231 886 817176

Call: +231 886 817176

Ministry of Commerce and Industries Liberia

Candace B Eastman

Deputy Minister Commerce and Industries.

Email: [email protected]

Call: +231 02071 5021

Ministry of Commerce and Industries Liberia

Cyril A Allen II

Deputy Minister Administration.

Email: [email protected]

Call: +231 886 448523

Ministry of Commerce and Industries Liberia

Director: Prince Korvah

Email Address: [email protected]

Cell #: (+231) 0886 556896

Eligibility

• Any person aged 18 years and above and legally residing in the country can import goods in to the country.
• Any person who obtain any import license or permission for importing goods in Liberia.
• Any person who has the import interest and meets the above requirement and is importing goods that does not fall in the restricted list.

Fees

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Validity

The document is valid for one year.

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

Process time is 1day but you give an allowance of -7 days

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

Instructions

• Familiarize yourself with the documentation and procedures required to successfully import goods into the country
• Familiarize yourself with the procedures pertinent to the kind of material you are importing in to the country
• Make sure you have a trade license
• Prepare the necessary documents, mapping out different steps involved in the importation process.
• A clearing agent can be of help in the processing of the necessary documentation.

Required Information

• Import declaration
• Content particulars
• Suppliers invoice
• Documented evidence carriage of goods
• Customs value declaration
• Compliance information
• Good release order evidence

Need for the Document

Imports of goods and services represent the value of all goods and other market services received from the rest of the world. They include the value of merchandise, freight, insurance, transport, travel, royalties, license fees, and other services, such as communication, construction, financial, information, business, personal, and government services. They exclude compensation of employees and investment income (formerly called factor services) and transfer payments.

Liberia as a country is ranked at 96 in the world in terms of total import volumes.

Being a non-oil producing nation, petroleum products account for the largest share of imports. The country also imports chemicals, heavy machinery, manufactured goods, transportation equipments and food products.

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

http://www.moci.gov.lr/

http://www.moci.gov.lr/doc/Regional%20and%20Global%20Trade%20Strategies%20for%20Liberia.pdf

http://www.moci.gov.lr/2content.php?sub=92&related=28&third=92&pg=sp

http://mofrevenue.gov.lr/content.php?sub=73&related=9&third=73&pg=sp

http://mofrevenue.gov.lr/content.php?sub=24&related=1&third=24&pg=sp

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