Shipping to and from Burkina Faso

Limark in Burkina Faso

Shipping to and from Burkina Faso

Limark has been a trusted partner for Burkinabe businesses, facilitating growth and integration into regional and global trade networks through seamless logistics solutions. Leveraging our deep understanding of Burkina Faso’s unique trade landscape and regulatory environment, we offer end-to-end services tailored to your specific needs.

Whether you’re exporting Burkina Faso’s gold, cotton, or livestock, or importing essential goods and equipment, our extensive network and strategic partnerships ensure efficient and reliable movement of your cargo across borders, unlocking new opportunities for your business to thrive in West Africa and beyond.

Import regulations

Importing goods to Burkina Faso requires navigating specific procedures and documentation. Here’s a breakdown of the essential requirements:

Regulations and restrictions

Product categories requiring import licenses/permits

Food and Agricultural Products

Imports of meat, dairy products, fish, grains, fruits, and vegetables require import permits from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Handicrafts (MCIA).
Phytosanitary certificates are required for plants and plant products to ensure they are free from pests and diseases.
Import licenses are necessary for specific products like sugar, rice, and vegetable oils to regulate supply and stabilize prices.
Alcohol requires authorization from the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Tobacco products require authorization from the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices

Importation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices is regulated by the MoH.
Import permits and product registration are mandatory.
Medicines must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Medical devices must meet relevant technical standards and be registered with the MoH.

Chemicals and Hazardous Materials

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) regulates the import of chemicals and hazardous materials.
Import permits are required, and detailed safety data sheets (SDS) must be submitted.
Proper packaging, labeling, and transportation regulations must be adhered to.

Vehicles and Spare Parts

The Ministry of Infrastructure regulates the import of vehicles and spare parts.
Import permits are required for vehicles.
Age and emission standards apply to used vehicles.
Conformity certificates from accredited bodies may be required for vehicles and spare parts.

Other Regulated Products

Additional import licenses or permits may be required for specific products like:

Telecommunications equipment
Explosives
Firearms and ammunition
Used clothing and footwear
Wildlife and wildlife products
Prohibited and Restricted Imports:

Prohibited

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Pornographic and obscene materials
Counterfeit and pirated goods
Hazardous waste (Basel Convention)
Ozone-depleting substances (Montreal Protocol)
Used tires
Asbestos
Products originating from Israel
Ivory
Restricted (require special permits):
Live animals and animal products (require health certificates)
Plants and plant products (require phytosanitary certificates)
Alcohol and tobacco products (subject to high excise taxes)
Firearms and ammunition
Explosives
Radioactive materials

Relevant agencies

Customs Directorate (Direction Générale des Douanes)
Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Handicrafts (MCIA)
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Health (MoH)
Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD)
Ministry of Infrastructure
National Agency for Pharmaceutical Products (ANPP)

Demurrage and detention

Free Time

Typically, 10 days for general cargo and 21 days for containerized cargo after discharge.
Varies depending on the shipping line and port (usually Abidjan or Lomé).

Demurrage charges

Applied when the free time is exceeded at the port.
Calculated per container, per day.
Rates vary depending on the shipping line, container size, and time elapsed.

Detention charges

Applied when the container is held beyond the agreed-upon time for return to the shipping line after being picked up from the port.
Separate from demurrage charges.
Rates vary depending on the shipping line and container size.

Storage Limitations

Port terminals have limited storage capacity.
Containers not cleared within the allowed time are moved to an off-dock depot at the importer’s expense.

Calculation Methods

Demurrage and detention charges are calculated based on calendar days, including weekends and public holidays.

Required import documentation

Commercial Invoice

Detailed description of goods (including HS codes)
Quantity, weight, and unit price of goods
Total invoice value (in USD or XOF)
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms)
Payment terms
Consignee and consignor details

Packing List

Detailed list of all items in each package
Description, quantity, weight, and dimensions of each item
Package markings and numbers

Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

Evidence of the contract of carriage between the shipper and carrier
Details of the shipment, including the consignee, consignor, and port of loading/discharge

Certificate of Origin

Declares the origin of the goods
Issued by the Chamber of Commerce in the exporting country
May be required for preferential tariff treatment under trade agreements (e.g., ECOWAS)

Import Declaration Form (IDF)

Submitted through the ASYCUDA World system
Requires detailed information about the shipment and importer
Import License/Permit (for regulated goods):
Issued by the relevant government agency

Other Certificates

Phytosanitary certificate (for plants and plant products)
Health certificate (for animals and animal products)
Certificate of analysis (for chemicals and food products)
CITES permit (for endangered species)

Import Licenses and Permits

Identify the Regulating Agency

Determine the specific ministry or agency responsible for your goods based on the product category.

Gather Required Documents

Proforma invoice or commercial contract
Technical specifications and data sheets (if applicable)
Certificates of origin, analysis, quality, etc.
Business registration documents (for companies)
Taxpayer identification number (NIF)

Submit Application

Complete the import permit application form.
Submit the application along with required documents and fees to the relevant agency.
Applications are typically submitted in person.

Processing and Approval

The application will be reviewed and processed by the agency.
Processing times vary but can take several weeks.
If approved, the import permit will be issued.

Validity and Renewal

Validity periods vary depending on the product and agency.
Renewal procedures involve submitting a new application with updated documents before the expiry date.

Costs

Import permit fees vary depending on the product and agency.
Additional costs may include inspection fees and testing fees.

Customs clearance procedures

Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)

Mandatory for most commercial shipments valued over XOF 3,000,000 (around USD 5,000).
Conducted by authorized inspection companies in the country of origin.
Verifies the quality, quantity, and value of goods.

Arrival and Unloading

Vessel or aircraft arrives at the port of entry (usually Abidjan or Lomé).
Cargo is unloaded and transported to Burkina Faso under customs control.

Document Lodgement and Declaration

Importer or their agent lodges import documents (commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, etc.) with customs in Burkina Faso.
Electronic declaration is submitted through the ASYCUDA World system.

Assessment and Payment

Customs verifies the documents and assesses import duties, taxes, and fees.
Payment is made through a local bank.

Inspection (if required)

Customs may select shipments for physical inspection based on risk assessment.

Release of Goods

If the shipment complies with all regulations and requirements, and duties/taxes are paid, customs releases the goods.

Port/Terminal operations

Major Seaports

Burkina Faso is landlocked, so imports are typically routed through the ports of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) or Lomé (Togo).

Air Cargo Hub

Ouagadougou Airport: The main airport for air cargo imports.

Cut-off Dates

Vary depending on the shipping line and destination.
Confirm with your shipping agent or freight forwarder well in advance.

Documentation Requirements at Terminals

Ensure all required documents are submitted electronically through ASYCUDA World before the shipment arrives at the port of entry.
Original documents may be required for verification at the terminal.

Container Pickup/Drop-off and Storage

Coordinate with your shipping agent or freight forwarder for container pickup and drop-off procedures at the port of entry.
Be aware of free time limitations and potential demurrage/detention charges.

Disclaimer: This information is based on the latest available data and may be subject to change. Always consult with relevant authorities and experts for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Export regulations

Get a detailed guide that provides an in-depth look into every aspect of the export process to ensure your goods are shipped efficiently and in compliance with all legal standards.

Regulations and restrictions

Product Categories Requiring Export Licenses/Permits

Gold

Burkina Faso is a significant gold producer, and the export of gold is regulated by the Ministry of Mines and Quarries.
Exporters must obtain an export license from the ministry and comply with specific documentation requirements.
The government has implemented measures to combat illegal gold mining and smuggling.

Cotton

Cotton is another major export commodity in Burkina Faso.
Export licenses are required from the SOFITEX (Société Burkinabè des Fibres Textiles) to control quality and ensure compliance with international standards.

Livestock (Cattle, Sheep, Goats)

Export of live animals requires permits from the Ministry of Animal Resources.
Health certificates and veterinary inspections are necessary to prevent the spread of animal diseases.

Sesame Seeds

Exporting sesame seeds may require permits from the Ministry of Commerce, depending on the quantity and destination.

Prohibited or restricted for export

Prohibited

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Pornographic and obscene materials
Counterfeit and pirated goods
Hazardous waste (Basel Convention)
Ozone-depleting substances (Montreal Protocol)
Weapons and ammunition (except with authorization from the Ministry of Defense)
Restricted (require special permits):
Endangered species and products (CITES permits required)
Live animals and animal products without proper health certificates
Plants and plant products without phytosanitary certificates
Art and cultural artifacts (require export permits from the Ministry of Culture)
Certain minerals and gemstones

Customs and documentation requirements

Required Documents

Commercial Invoice: Detailed description of goods (including HS codes), quantity, weight, value (in USD or XOF), Incoterms, payment terms, and complete details of the consignee and consignor.
Packing List: Itemized list of goods in each package, including description, quantity, weight, dimensions, and package markings.
Bill of Lading/Airway Bill: Evidence of the contract of carriage between the shipper and carrier, with details of the shipment, consignee, consignor, and port of loading/discharge.
Certificate of Origin: Issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Crafts of Burkina Faso (CCIACB), declaring the origin of the goods. It may be required for preferential tariff treatment under trade agreements (e.g., ECOWAS).
Export Declaration (EXD): Electronic declaration submitted through the Sydonia World system, providing detailed information about the shipment.
Export License/Permit (if applicable): Issued by the relevant government agency.

Export Declaration Process (through Sydonia World)

Register as an exporter on the Sydonia World platform.
Prepare and submit the EXD electronically through Sydonia World.
Customs verifies the declaration and supporting documents.
If compliant, customs approves the export and issues an export authorization.

Required Export Certificates

Phytosanitary Certificate (for plants and plant products): Issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection (DPP).
Health Certificate (for live animals and animal products): Issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS).
Certificate of Analysis: May be required for specific products like gold to verify quality and purity.

Terminal/Port operations

Major Ports

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country, so exports are typically routed through the following ports:

Port of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire): The main transit port for Burkina Faso exports.
Port of Tema (Ghana): An alternative transit port for some exporters.
Port of Lomé (Togo): Another option for transit, especially for goods destined for Europe.

Cut-off Times and Procedures

Vary depending on the shipping line and port of destination.
Confirm with your shipping agent or freight forwarder well in advance.
Procedures typically include document submission, customs clearance, security screening, and container loading.

Container Storage and Free Time

Limited container storage is available at the transit ports.
Free time for storage varies depending on the port and shipping line.
Storage fees apply after the free time expires.

Cargo Handling and Fees

Returning Empty Containers

Coordinate with your shipping line or agent to return empty containers to the designated depot.
Failure to return containers on time may result in detention charges.

Duties, Taxes, and Fees

Export Duties: Generally, Burkina Faso does not impose export duties on most goods. However, there may be specific taxes on certain products like minerals and livestock.

Other Fees: Customs processing fees, document handling charges, terminal handling charges, storage fees (if applicable), and any specific taxes or levies related to the exported product.

Expertise You Can Trust

Seamless cross-border shipping to and from Burkina Faso

Navigating Burkina Faso’s trade regulations can be a daunting task, but Limark is your trusted partner in simplifying the process. Our in-depth knowledge of local laws and customs procedures ensures your shipments move seamlessly and efficiently, avoiding costly delays and potential disruptions.

Our expanding presence in Burkina Faso is a testament to our commitment to providing reliable and cost-effective shipping services to and from Burkina Faso. Our team of experienced local supply chain experts, coupled with our robust infrastructure, guarantees efficient operations and optimal cost savings for your business. Contact our team to request a quote, book, or learn more about our shipping services to and from Burkina Faso.

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