Benin sits on the infamous Slave Coast of West Africa. From its long and complex history, Benin is today known for:
Being the birthplace of voodoo
The world's only Temple of Pythons - 60 revered snakes let loose once a week to feed in the neighbourhood
The best safari park in West Africa - Pendjari - with lions, cheetahs, leopards, and elephants
Like many countries in its region, Benin is still a cash-based society. However, an increasing percentage of Beninoise are internet savvy, which will inevitably lead to more e-commerce activity. This emerging economic sector has government support, and with French as Benin's official language, this country should be on Canada's shipping radar.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Benin through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Benin. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Benin
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 2, 2023
8:49 am
OUéMé,OU, BJ
Delivered
Jun 1, 2023
7:18 am
COLLINES, CO, BJ
In transit
May 31, 2023
9:03 pm
ATLANTIQUE, AT, BJ
International Clearance
May 31, 2023
8:14 am
ALIBORI, AL, BJ
In transit
May 31, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 30, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Benin before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
A person moving to Benin may import their personal effects exempt from duties and taxes if:
The shipment is for the use of the individual or his or her family; and
The shipment has no commercial character, i.e. the goods are not for sale or trade
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time concerning students moving temporarily to Benin with their personal effects for the purposes of studying.
Non-students
Non-students who move temporarily to Benin from Canada may do so with their personal effects exempt from duties and taxes. An exemption is dependent upon:
The goods are returned to Canada within 1 year of their entry into Benin
A security deposit is provided on the duties and taxes owed
Moving Permanently
A person or family moving permanently to Benin may enter with their personal effects duty and tax free provided:
They are in a quantity that is clearly only for personal use (not for commercial purposes)
The items are the property of the claimant or his or her family
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
Gnonnas Pedro Boulevard Saint Michel Cotonou Benin
Phone: +229 21 30 3528
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address.
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
5 Pairs
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
IN
$40.00
1 Each
Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
CA
$478.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Personal Effects Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Food, Chocolate, Candies
Food shipments to Benin require a commercial invoice. Provided the value of the shipment is less than $5,000 USD (about $6,300 CAD), no pre-shipment examination of the goods will be required.
Required for shipping food products to Benin:
Air waybill
Commercial invoice
Reliable contact information (name, phone, email) for both shipper and consignee.
FDA Prior Notice must be filed by the shipper.
A pre-shipment inspection (SGS formalities) is required for all shipments with a declared value over $5000 USD.
Duties and taxes can only be billed to the consignee.
Bill shipper is not available for duties and taxes.
If duties and taxes are assessed, they must be paid by the recipient.
Source: FedEx Regulatory
You May Ship
Chocolate
Candy
Do Not Ship
Perishables, i.e. fruits and vegetables, dairy, and meat
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Gnonnas Pedro Boulevard Saint Michel Cotonou Benin
Phone: +229 21 30 3528
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment and machinery shipped to Canada from Benin for warranty repairs will be allowed re-entry into Benin without being liable to duty and tax charges.
Items Under Warranty
Items under warranty that are repaired in Canada may be returned to Benin without incurring duties or taxes.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Items repaired in Canada that are no longer under warranty will have duties and taxes applied to them upon re-entry into Benin. Repaired goods will also incur GST from Canadian customs.
Sending Product for Repair to Benin
Equipment from Canada repaired in Benin will incur GST on the parts and labour charges resulting from the repair.
Returning Repaired Product to Benin
Products such as machinery and equipment repaired in Canada under a warranty will be allowed a duty- and tax-free re-entry into Benin.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Benin or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Gnonnas Pedro Boulevard Saint Michel Cotonou Benin
Phone: +229 21 30 3528
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Goods imported for a temporary purpose may enter Benin without payment of duties and taxes if they leave the country within 1 year. (If accepted by customs authorities, an extension to this time period may be granted.)
Goods of a temporary nature include items such as:
Equipment and machinery for repairs
Items to be used in tests or experiments
Goods for display at trade fairs, meetings, or other similar events
ATA Carnets
The state of Benin does not recognise the use of ATA Carnets for temporary imports into the country.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Gnonnas Pedro Boulevard Saint Michel Cotonou Benin
Phone: +229 21 30 3528
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
There are no thresholds or de minimis values on sold goods entering Benin. This means that all imports will incur duty and taxes regardless of their value.
Occasional Shipper
Though you may only be an occasional shipper of sold goods, be advised that all shipments with a commercial transaction will be liable to duty and taxes. This will even apply to shipments with a small monetary value.
Regular shipper
Regular shippers of sold goods are recommended to utilise the services of a licenced Beninese customs broker. This will ensure that all local customs rules are followed and required paperwork is completed.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Gnonnas Pedro Boulevard Saint Michel Cotonou Benin
Phone: +229 21 30 3528
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Benin. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Benin, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Goods declared prohibited may not enter Benin whereas those deemed restricted may enter, but will either be limited in quantity or must have approval by a regulatory agency before being released for general circulation.
Prohibited Items
Any material considered pornographic or counter to
public decency
Pirated or counterfeit goods
Drugs, narcotics, and psychotropic substances
Fireworks, firecrackers, and rockets
Explosive devices and
materials (powders, chemicals)
Weapons and guns, including their parts, and ammunition
Restricted Items
Pharmaceuticals
Medical equipment
Laboratory chemicals and reagents
Foodstuffs
Duty & Taxes
The amount of duty and taxes incurred by a shipment entering Benin is calculated by using the CIF value of the parcel. The CIF value is the sum of the customs value plus insurance costs plus freight fees.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By calculating the CIF value of your shipment, you will have an estimate of the duties and taxes owed by the recipient of the parcel.
Thresholds
There are no thresholds or de minimis values on goods entering Benin; therefore, all imports, regardless of value, will incur duties and taxes.
However, shipments of an occasional nature valued at no more than $100 USD (about $125 CAD) may be allowed entry into Benin without duties or taxes being applied.
Currency
West African Franc CFA
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
18%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
Excise taxes are applied to certain imports as follows:
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Additional Resources
Questions about Shipping to Benin
Can I ship to Benin?
Shipping to Benin from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
