Customs regulations for your trip to Equatorial Guinea

Customs regulations

Local laws and customs

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe and usually include a prison sentence that would be served in local prisons.

The police have introduced random breathalyser testing for drivers.

Photography of the presidential palace, ports, airports and military installations is strictly prohibited and can lead to imprisonment. Special permits from the Ministry of Information and Tourism are required for all other photography.

Same sex activity is legal in Equatorial Guinea but there’s no legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Discrimination in society remains a problem with no government efforts to combat it. Same sex marriages aren’t recognised. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Caution should be exercised with public displays of affection, both same sex and opposite sex.

Security checks have increased across the country. Ensure you carry proper identification documents (passport or residence permit) at all times to present at security checks. You should follow all official advice and remain non-confrontational if stopped by authorities. Failure to produce identification documents on request can lead to detention.

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of passport
• Packing list
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / no express release / air waybill (AWB)
• Original valued inventory in French, dated, and signed by the owner of the goods
• Resident permit / work permit / letter of employment
• Moving certificate or change of residence document
• International cargo tracking note (ICTN), for all full container load (FCL) shipments
• Customs export declaration
• Tax ID Document (Code NIF)

Specific Information

• All documents must be provided to agent 2 weeks before arrival of the shipment to obtain duty- free clearance.
• Customs levies an “RTL Tax” or 2% of cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value, with a minimum of 300.000 GNF (approximately 30 Euro), applicable to all shipments.
• Taxes on new goods may be as high as 38-45% of the CIF value, depending on the nature of the goods if the cosignee does not have tax exemption facilities.

The diplomatic organization must apply for diplomatic privileges on the shipment, which may take several weeks for approval by Customs; documents must be supplied to agent at least 3 weeks prior to arrival of the shipment.

Dutiable Items

Only 2 parrots and any endangered species will be prohibited from entering the country unless accompanied by a special permit.

• Any dogs, cats or other animals being brought into the country should be accompanied with a microchip, valid health certificate and a recent rabies vaccination.
• All firearms, explosives and ammunition are completely prohibited from entering the country unless the travellers have obtained either a Certificate of Possession (“autorisation de détention”) or a specific Import Permit (“autorisation d’importation de matériels de guerre – armes et munitions”) and can submit them to the customs department upon entry.
• The importation of these specimens is strongly restricted following the Community rules implementing the CITES-Convention. An additional export permit from the country of origin and a French import permit, issued by the Ministry of the Environment will be needed for any non prohibited plants or plant materials.

Duties on cars are 53% of the CIF value.

Computers, printers, scanner are not considered as personal effects and are subject to duties and taxes (32.01% CIF value).

Only 1 opened bottle of alcoholic beverage can be imported duty free.

The following items can be imported duty free within the limits indicated:

Cigarettes (1000), cigars (250), tobacco (1000 g)

Prohibited Items

• Firearms and ammunition
• Illegal drugs
• more than 5 animals
• Dangerous dog breeds
• Meat, meat products, Milk and dairy products

Miscellaneous (Pets, Motors, and others.)

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original registration card
• Change of residence certificate
• Copy of passport
• Copy of purchase invoice for new vehicles

Specific Information

• The taxes for motor vehicles will depend on the age, power etc. and is up to 45% of the CIF.
• All Embassies and diplomatic Organisation should be RPA-Administrative fees  GNF 800.000 . The Others Oraganisation should be paid RTL 2% and TVA 18%

Pets

Documents Required

• Veterinary health certificate
• Vaccination record

Specific Information

• Documents must be issued at point of origin.

Same regulations as for France apply.

Exception: All incoming pets (regardless of origin) must be at least 15 weeks old, and must have a microchip implant, pet passport and a rabies vaccination given at least 3 weeks before travel.