Shipping to and from Equatorial Guinea

Limark in Equatorial Guinea

Connecting Equatorial Guinea across Africa and beyond

Providing seamless Equatorial Guinea connections for effortless trade expansion and international reach.

Tap into Africa’s growing markets with Equatorial Guinea as your gateway. Let Limark Forwarding navigate the complexities for you. Our expertise in local regulations and extensive African network ensure compliant, seamless shipments that connect your business to the continent and beyond.

We understand reliable shipping is crucial for your success. Limark’s established network and meticulous planning guarantee timely deliveries and minimize disruptions. Streamline your processes, optimize costs, and unlock your Equatorial Guinean trade potential with our dedicated team.

Import regulations

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

Regulations and restrictions

Products requiring Import licenses/permits

Agricultural products (plants, seeds, live animals, fertilizers)
Food products
Pharmaceuticals and medicines
Chemicals and toxic substances
Petroleum products
Weapons, munitions and explosives
Radio communication equipment
Audio-visual products (movies, TV shows, etc.)

Prohibited Imports

Narcotics and psychotropic substances
Counterfeit trademark/copyright goods
Used clothing and footwear
Toxic wastes and hazardous substances
Radioactive and nuclear materials
Anti-Islamic literature and materials

Restricted Imports

Alcohol and spirits (licensed importers only)
Precious stones and metals require certification
Exotic animal species require CITES permits

Agencies involved

General Directorate of Customs (INSESOGE)
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forests and Environment
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy
Ministry of Information, Press and Radio
Ministry of National Defense

Demurrage and detention

Port storage allowances

7 calendar days free time for dry import containers
5 calendar days for reefer containers

Demurrage charges (per TEU/day after free time)

Dry Containers: $20
Reefer Containers: $30
Detention charges (same rates apply outside port area)

Import documentation required

Commercial Invoice with HS codes
Packing List
Bill of Lading/Air Waybill
Import Declaration Form (DPU)
Import License/Permit (if required)
Certificate of Origin
Technical Standards/Conformity Certificates
Phytosanitary/Veterinary Certificates for agriculture products
Radiation report for food imports

Commercial invoice requirements

Names and addresses of buyer/seller
HS codes and detailed descriptions of goods
Quantities and unit values
Total invoice value and currency
Payment terms, Incoterms

Import licenses and permits

Licensing requirements

Commercial import license from the Ministry of Commerce
Additional licenses/permits for regulated products:
- Agriculture Ministry: plants, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides
- Health Ministry: pharmaceuticals, medical devices
- Industry Ministry: chemicals, petroleum products
- Defense Ministry: weapons, munitions
License application process
Submit application with pro forma invoice
Provide product samples/technical specifications
Screening by relevant technical committees
Pay licensing fees (typically 0.3%-1% of CIF value)

License validity and renewals

Most licenses are valid for 6-12 months
Can apply for renewals 1-2 months prior to expiry
Additional documents like import records required

Customs clearance process

Submit all required documents to customs broker
Broker lodges goods declaration in ASYCUDA World system
Risk analysis determines inspection requirements
Physical inspections and testing as required
Duties/taxes calculated and payment made to broker
Release order obtained from customs
Clear goods from port within 7 days of release

Import duties and taxes

Import duty rates: 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%
15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on CIF + duties
5.5% Community Integration Tax (TCI)
Potential additional taxes like computer tax
Inspections and verifications
Documentary checks on all import declarations
Risk-based criteria for scanning and physical inspections
Product testing/sampling for phytosanitary, radiation, quality

Ports and terminals

Sea Ports

Port of Malabo
Port of Bata
Port of Luba

Airport cargo terminals

Malabo International Airport (SSG)

Cut-off times

48-72 hours before vessel arrival for documentation
24 hours before flight arrival for air cargo

Container operations

Limited storage space, containers should be collected promptly
Port delivery order required for pickup
Shortages/overages strictly penalized

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

Products requiring export licenses/permits

Timber and wood products
Agricultural commodities (cocoa, coffee, etc.)
Precious minerals (gold, diamonds)
Petroleum and petroleum products
Live animals and wildlife products under CITES
Strategic/controlled goods like weapons, explosives

Prohibited/Restricted exports

Exports of raw diamonds are not permitted, only cut/polished are allowed
Unprocessed wood logs banned for export
Cultural/archaeological artifacts restricted for export
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances are prohibited
Exports of endangered species are strictly regulated

Agencies involved

INSESOGE (Customs Authority)
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons
Ministry of Fisheries and Environment
Ministry of National Defense

Customs and documentation requirements

Required documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading/airway bill
Export declaration (Declaracion de Exportacion)
Certificate of origin
Export license/permit (if required)
Quality/phytosanitary certificates
CITES permits for flora/fauna exports
Commercial invoices must show
Full description of goods with HS codes
Quantities and unit values
Total invoice value and currency
Terms of sale and payment

Export declaration process

Submit export declaration in the ASYCUDA system
Provide all supporting export documentation
Pay any applicable duties/taxes
Obtain release notes after inspections/verifications

Export certification

Mining/assay certificates for precious minerals
Phytosanitary/quality certs for agricultural exports
CITES certificates for live animal/wildlife exports
Certificates of origin for preferential treatment

Terminal/port operations

Major ports for exports

Port of Malabo
Port of Bata
Port of Luba

Cut-off times and procedures

Pre-arrival documentation 48-72 hours before vessel
Shipping instructions provided 2-3 days before ETD
Late arrivals may face penalties/rollover charges

Container operations

5 calendar days of free time for export containers
Detention fees apply after free time
Limited storage space, prompt collection required
Must use port delivery orders for pickup

Cargo handling and fees

Empty container returns

$20/TEU per day detention after 5 free days
Extra charges if not returned to designated depots

Export duties and taxes

Most exported goods are zero-rated for duties
However, some products face export duties:
Logs: $11-$18 per cubic meter
Sawn wood: 30% of FOB value
Cocoa beans: $300 per metric ton

Other fees

Port handling charges
Shipping line charges (e.g. documentation fees)
CITES permitting fees for regulated wildlife
Clearance and processing fees

Expertise You Can Trust

End-to-end cross-border shipping to and from Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea’s cross-border trade presents a maze of regulations and logistical hurdles. Non-compliance can lead to costly delays and penalties. Simplify the process with Limark Forwarding. Our expertise in Equatorial Guinea’s logistics ensures seamless, compliant shipments from origin to final destination.

We understand reliable, predictable shipping is the backbone of your operations. That’s why we manage every step of your shipments with precision – from customs clearance to inland transportation. With a proven 92% on-time delivery record, Limark delivers peace of mind and potential cost savings through our streamlined processes and strategic partnerships.

Get Expert Guidance

Contact our regional experts

Partner with experienced freight forwarders and customs brokers for seamless shipping to and from Equatorial Guinea. Ensure full documentation compliance with the guidance and logistics services of our team.