CUSTOMS REGULATIONS 
Import of household goods and personal effects into Angola is complicated and shipments should not be sent until approval is given by the service provider at destination. The following rules apply:
- Pre-inspection at origin is required for the following items (regardless of value): drinks, plants, chemical products, toys, motor engines, motor bikes, used cars, bikes, food, tobacco, toys and live animals. An inspection will also be carried out upon arrival into the country.
- Only Embassies & NGO’s are exempt from pre-inspection at origin - original shipping documents are required in order to apply for this exemption that normally takes 14 days. Diplomatic shipments will still be inspected at destination.
- Should the value of the goods exceed $5,000, an import license at the Trade Ministry in Luanda in necessary.
- Should the CIF value (CIF value is total of cost of the household goods and personal effects plus all shipping expenses to destination) exceed US$10,000 the goods will be subject to duties and taxes of 2% for both diplomatic and non-diplomatic shipments.
- Extra charges cannot be avoided in Angola (approx. $3000 / 20’ and $4000 / 40’).
- All electrical appliances, equipment, and bicycles, markings and brand name must be shown on the Pro-forma invoice.
- The Pro-forma Invoice must include the quantity, description, value, and condition (used or new) for all items. It must also include the CIF value (e.g., FOB, freight and insurance).
- The Pro-forma Invoice must be on the letterhead of the origin agent, stamped and signed and with the shipper and consignee with details clearly noted.
- Cartao de contribuinte can only be obtained after the client has obtained his work permit.
- ALL Charges, including detention, port storage, demurrage, services preformed on import shipments and export shipments, will now include a 14% VAT. This came into full effect on Oct 1st 2019.
AIR SUMMARY
The shipment may only be dispatched after the MINCO/DU (import) license is issued.
- Origin agent to complete Customs Invoice Template (AMS Move Manager will assist)
- Client’s Personal Angolan Tax ID or Employer Angolan Tax ID (NIF)
- AMS to apply for MINCO/DU (import) License with Ministry of Angola.
- MINCO/DU (import) License is issued
- Green Light to dispatch & consignee details are provided by AMS Move Manager
- Airfreight Arrives
- Original AWB collected from the airline and documents submitted to customs
- Customs clearance process begin
SEA SUMMARY
The shipment may only be dispatched after the MINCO/DU (import) license is issued.
- Origin agent to complete Customs Invoice Template (AMS Move Manager will assist)
- Client’s Personal Angolan Tax ID or Employer Angolan Tax ID (NIF)
- AMS to apply for MINCO/DU (import) License with Ministry of Angola.
- MINCO/DU (import) License is issued
- MINCO/DU (import) License copy given to origin agent for CNCA Certificate to be issued.
- CNCA Certificate/Packing List and Original B/L + Copies to be sent via Courier to AMS
- Vessel Arrives
- Customs clearance process begin
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
The following documents are required for import of household goods and personal effects:
- Copy of Passport
- Work Permit / Visa
- Letter of Employment
- Airplane ticket copy with valid return flight for UAB
- Original household goods invoice, if possible (new items)
- Cartao de Contribuinte (tax card)
- Diplomatic Card (Diplomats)
- Exemption Certificate (Diplomats)
- CNCA certificate
- Valued inventory in USD
- Pro-forma Invoice
- Import License
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB) / Sea or Airfreight Invoice
- Packing list in Portuguese or English (with each item valued and categorized)
- Admission / Franchise stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomats)
- Request for Franchise stamped by SONANGOL (oil companies and subcontractors)
Please note that the diplomat must be in Luanda for the issuance of the diplomatic card (approx. 10 days). This document is required in order to initiate the exemption process (approx. 10 days).
MOTOR VEHICLES
Import of motor vehicles into Angola is complicated and solely for private use. Import requires a license. A vehicle should not be sent until approval is given by the service provider at destination. The following rules apply:
- Vehicles should be shipped in a container separate from household goods.
- Vehicles older than 3 years (from date of manufacture to date of entry in Angola) cannot be imported into Angola.
- VERITAS visit is compulsory before shipping whatever the CIF value is: o For the import of car for companies, an import license is needed. o For the import of car for private use, see the requirements for temporary and definitive imports below: Temporary Import
- The vehicle can stay in Angola for 2 years with a possible one-year extension.
- A bond deposit of 40-45% of CIF value is required. Definitive Import
- Requires 40-45% tax based on CIF value.
- Diplomatic shipments containing vehicles are not subjected to PSI since they are cleared with a Diplomatic Franchise at destination.
- Customs clearance should begin as soon as the shipment arrives in Luanda; any late clearance (that is beyond the 30th day following the arrival date) due to lack of required documentation will be fined with 5% based on the CIF value.
- Clearance on a diplomatic shipment begins when the franchise is received, which can take more than 2 weeks to be issued; non-diplomatic shipments require that all paperwork is in order.
RESTRICTED/DUTIABLE ITEMS
Fireworks and explosives (authorization from the Ministry of Interior required) Firearms, ammunitions, and other deadly weapons (permission from the Ministry of Interior is required)
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Plant and plant materials
- Gold and jewelry
- Pornographic materials
- Counterfeit items