Senegal's capital, Dakar, is Africa's most westerly city and harbour, and has made the country a natural shipping and transportation hub for the region. Less well known, however, is that Senegal is the western anchor of The Great Green Wall - the project to grow a corridor of trees across Africa's Sahel desert all the way to Djibouti, on the Gulf of Aden, gateway to the Indian Ocean.
Senegalese also like to be connected electronically - the number of mobile connections in Senegal is 103% of the population and 46% of them use the internet, which is steadily increasing. All of this is good news for Canadian shippers: French is Senegal's official language while English is taught in schools and spoken in the business and scientific communities.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Senegal through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Senegal. 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 Senegal
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 2, 2023
8:49 am
Thies, TH, SN
Delivered
Jun 1, 2023
7:18 am
Touba, TO, SN
In transit
May 31, 2023
9:03 pm
Pikine, PI, SN
International Clearance
May 31, 2023
8:14 am
Dakar, DA, SN
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 Senegal 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:
All gift shipments to Senegal from Canada will incur duty and taxes regardless of the parcel's value.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment to an individual in Senegal from an individual in Canada will be liable to duty and taxes. There is no threshold below which no charges are incurred.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A gift shipment from a business in Canada to a business in Senegal will be charged duty and tax fees no matter its value.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
If a business in Canada ships a gift to an individual in Senegal, the recipient will have to pay duty and taxes on the gift. It does not matter what the value of the gift is.
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.
Personal effects may be shipped to Senegal exempt from duty and taxes for Canadians allowed to stay in Senegal and for Senegalese citizens who are returning to the country to live.
The exemption is allowed providing:
The owner of the goods has used them for at least 6 months
It can be shown that the effects belong to the shipper
Personal effects include items such as:
Clothing and footwear
Personal care goods
Furniture
Items required for day-to-day use such as cutlery and kitchen implements
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time regarding students moving temporarily to Senegal with their personal effects.
Non-students
Non-students who move temporarily to Senegal (up to a maximum period of 1 year) may ship their personal effects exempt from duty and taxes.
NOTE: A bond or other security will be required to cover the amount of duty and taxes owed,
and the goods must leave Senegal within 1 year and in the same condition of their arrival.
Moving Permanently
Senegalese citizens returning to Senegal to live permanently may ship their personal effects exempt from payment of duty and taxes.
The exemption is allowed if the claimant can show that:
The goods belong to the person claiming the exemption
The items are used and have been owned for at least 6 months
Personal effects could be goods such as:
Items used for personal care
Shoes and clothing
Implements and items used in the kitchen
Household furniture
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
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
Goods shipped to Senegal for repair may enter the country exempt from duty and taxes providing they are returned to Canada when the work is complete.
Product Under Warranty
Equipment shipped to Canada for repair under warranty will be exempt from duties and taxes when it returns to Senegal. This is due to Senegal's inward processing rules.
Product No Longer Under Warranty
Items no longer under warranty repaired in Senegal will incur GST on the value of the repair and on parts used during the repair process.
Sending Product for Repair to Senegal
Items shipped to Senegal for repair may enter the country without incurring duty and taxes. This is conditional on the repaired goods leaving Senegal when the work is done.
Returning Repaired Product to Senegal
Equipment repaired in Canada may return to Senegal exempt either partially or totally from duty and taxes.
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 Senegal or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
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 temporarily imported into Senegal may be exempt partially or totally from duties and taxes provided the items are used as intended and leave the country within 1 year of entry. (This may be extended by application to the Director General of Customs.)
Goods admitted as temporary imports may include items that will undergo further processing.
ATA Carnets
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Senegal, you can pick from Option 1 or 2 of the 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. 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.
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 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, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than 12 months in Senegal
NOTE:
If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently
Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically CANNOT clear goods of temporary nature)
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
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
Shipments of sold goods valued at 100,000 XOF or less (about $225 CAD) do not require a customs declaration;
however, all shipments regardless of value will incur duty and VAT.
Occasional Shipper
Even if you only ship sold goods occasionally to Senegal from Canada, your shipment will incur duty and VAT.
However, if its value is 100,000 XOF or less (about $225 CAD), then you are not required to complete a commercial invoice.
Regular shipper
If you regularly ship sold goods to Senegal, we recommend you use the services of a Senegalese customs broker.
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 Senegal. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Senegal, 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 entry into Senegal whereas restricted goods may enter; however, they may be limited in quantity or require authorisation from a government department.
Prohibited Items
Obscene or immoral material
in any format
Drugs, narcotics, etc.
Publications deemed subversive and aimed at disrupting public order
The amount of duty and taxes incurred on a shipment to Senegal is calculated using the CIF method, i.e. the sum of the customs value plus insurance amount plus freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
If you can calculate the CIF value of your shipment to Senegal, you will be able to predict the taxes and duty owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
There are no thresholds or de minimis values on shipments to Senegal. This means that all parcels will incur duty and VAT regardless of their value.
Currency
West African franc (XOF)
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
Certain products entering Senegal will be levied an excise tax. They include:
Cosmetics (15%)
Tea and coffee (5%)
Sparkling beverages and juices (5%)
Tobacco (65%)
Alcoholic beverages (50% plus XOF 1,500 to XOF 5,000/L - about $3 - $11 CAD)
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 Senegal 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.
