Ivory Coast, officially République de Côte d'Ivoire, derived its name from its major trading commodity with European powers during the time of the great oceanic explorations. Today, Côte d'Ivoire has a thriving and varied agricultural economy that supports many of its 26 million inhabitants. And the nation serves as an important transit route for its landlocked neighbours.
Côte d'Ivoire has experienced a recent growth of its communications infrastructure and internet market. Combined with a growing economy and a low youth unemployment rate, its e-commerce continues to grow steadily year over year. Isn't it time to say Bonjour, to Côte d'Ivoire and all of its neighbours?
Shipping Rates
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Ivory Coast
through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Ivory Coast. 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 Ivory Coast
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 Ivory Coast before shipping any
goods.
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 21, 2026
8:49 am
San-Pedro, SP, CI
Delivered
Feb 20, 2026
7:18 am
Daloa, DA, CI
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
9:03 pm
Bouake, BO, CI
International Clearance
Feb 19, 2026
8:14 am
Abobo, AB, CI
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Feb 18, 2026
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
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:
All gift shipments to Ivory Coast will incur duty and taxes. There is
no threshold below which no duty and taxes are collected.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment to an individual in Ivory Coast from an individual in
Canada will be subject to duty and taxes regardless of the value of
the gift.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A gift shipped from a business in Canada to a business in Ivory Coast
will be liable to duty and taxes no matter the value of the gift.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
If a business in Canada sends a gift to an individual in Ivory Coast,
customs authorities will apply duty and taxes to the shipment even if
its value is small.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the
commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one
individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Gabriel Tiacoh Av. des Grande écoles Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
Phone: +225 07 49 76 0737
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If you are sending more than one gift in the parcel, be sure to wrap
and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Gabriel Tiacoh Av. des Grande écoles Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
Phone: +225 07 49 76 0737
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Shipping personal effects to Ivory Coast from Canada may be exempt
from duty depending on the nature and quantity of items being
imported, and who is the shipper of the goods.
Moving Temporarily
Students
Students moving temporarily to Ivory Coast for their studies are
allowed duty-free entry of their personal effects provided:
Their home address is abroad
They present documentation from the educational institution where
the student is, or will be, studying
Items are shipped in one shipment within one month from the date of
enrollment in the educational establishment
Non-students
Non-students may ship their personal effects to Ivory Coast from
Canada duty-free provided:
Items shipped are returned to Canada within 1 year
A deposit is made as a guarantee for duty owed
They have paperwork showing that permits a temporary stay in the
country
Moving Permanently
Both foreigners moving permanently and nationals returning to live in
Ivory Coast are allowed exemption from duty and taxes on the
importation of their personal effects if:
They have paperwork certifying a change of residence from Canada
The shipment consists of 1 consignment only
The change of residence and arrival of the shipment occurs at the
same time
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
Gabriel Tiacoh Av. des Grande écoles Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
Phone: +225 07 49 76 0737
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
Advertising material may enter Ivory Coast exempt from duty and taxes
if it is shipped as a temporary import or by using an ATA Carnet (see
Temporary Imports for details).
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for
Resale' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Gabriel Tiacoh Av. des Grande écoles Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
Phone: +225 07 49 76 0737
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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
Sending a piece of equipment for repair to Ivory Coast from Canada are
exempt from duty and taxes under the following conditions:
The equipment is shipped as a temporary import (max. of 12 months in
Ivory Coast)
Authorisation is obtained from the General Directorate of Customs
Items Under Warranty
Goods sent for repairs to Ivory Coast from Canada are exempt from duty
and taxes if done via a temporary importation.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
An item that is no longer under warranty and returns to Canada from
Ivory Coast will be charged GST. The GST will be charged on the value
of the repair and on any parts required for the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Ivory Coast
Sending equipment for repair to Ivory Coast must be done as a
temporary import in order to qualify for duty and tax free entry to
the country. Further conditions include:
The equipment is returned to Canada within 12 months of its entry
into Ivory Coast
Authorisation from the General Directorate of Customs has been
obtained
Returning Repaired Product to Ivory Coast
Equipment repaired in Canada under warranty will not incur duty and
taxes when it re-enters Ivory Coast.
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 Ivory Coast or exported to Canada (depending on
which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Gabriel Tiacoh Av. des Grande écoles Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
Phone: +225 07 49 76 0737
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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 temporarily into Ivory Coast will be exempt from duty
and taxes if they remain in the country no longer than 12 months.
Temporary imports may include the following categories of goods:
Equipment for repair
Commercial samples for display at trade fairs or exhibitions
Equipment or goods to be tested or used in experiments
Items that require assembly or added labour
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Ivory Coast, you
can pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following
methods requires you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI). More
details below.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice + ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice (CI) only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE:You should be aware that shipping using this
method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax
free. Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e.
UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any
duties and taxes.
2. Commercial Invoice (CI) + an ATA Carnet
Completing an ATA Carnet is great option for items that frequently travel
in and out of the country. It's also great because once you have an ATA
Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application
process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary
import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of
temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of the article however, you can
find more information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
NOTE:It is highly recommended to get an ATA Carnet
for items that frequently travel in and out of the country and
especially so when it is valued over $2,500 USD
In addition to the 2 options listed above, the following conditions
must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free
exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, allowing for
normal wear-and-tear; maintenance and minor repairs are allowed
under certain conditions
If an ATA Carnet is used, the goods may stay no longer than 12
months in Ivory Coast
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
Gabriel Tiacoh Av. des Grande écoles Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
Phone: +225 07 49 76 0737
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2027
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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
All importations of sold goods will incur duty and taxes regardless of
their value. There are no thresholds below which customs does not
apply import charges.
Occasional Shipper
Even if you only ship sold goods on occasion to someone in Ivory
Coast, be advised that duty and tax charges will be incurred by all
shipments regardless of their value.
Regular shipper
If you are a regular shipper of sold goods to Ivory Coast, we
recommend that you consult a licenced Ivorian customs so that all
regulations are followed by you and the importer.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Gabriel Tiacoh Av. des Grande écoles Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
Phone: +225 07 49 76 0737
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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 Ivory Coast. A COO
proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in
Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Ivory Coast, 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
Prohibited goods are not allowed to be shipped to Ivory Coast while
restricted goods may enter the country, but have rules that limit the
amount of goods or who may send them.
Prohibited Items
Drugs and narcotic substances
E-cigarette liquid (UPS cannot clear)
Restricted Items
Sugar
Medicines
Ivory
Pharmaceutical, medical,
and health and beauty care products
Duties and taxes on imports entering Ivory Coast are calculated using
the CIF method: The sum of the customs value plus insurance amount plus
freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
As a shipper, you can predict the duty and taxes owed by the recipient
of your consignment by using the CIF calculation.
Thresholds
The customs department of Ivory Coast imposes duty and taxes on all
shipments regardless of their value. There are no thresholds (also
known as de minimis values) below which charges are not 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
Shipments of energy and non-alcoholic drinks, alcoholic beverages, and
tobacco products will incur excise duties when they enter Ivory Coast.
Specific details for various products can be found here.
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.
Shipping to Ivory Coast 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.
