Cotton and Cashew

Procédure d’exportation

I-INTRODUCTION

 Decree n° 93-313 of 11 March 1993 – determining the conditions of entry into Côte d’Ivoire of foreign goods of all origins and sources, as well as the conditions of export and re-export of goods destined for foreign countries – taken in accordance with ECOWAS rules and in application of the Customs Code and Law No. 91.999 of 27 December 1991 relating to competition, determines a list of products whose import and export are subject to the approval regime.
In Côte d’Ivoire, the Cotton Council – Cashew is the body which, under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, is in charge of regulating and monitoring the activities of the cotton and cashew nut sectors – See Decree n°2013-681 of 02 October 2013 –  naming the regulatory body for monitoring and developing the activities of the cotton and cashew nut sectors).

The Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA)
Abidjan – Plateau, CAISTAB Building, 15th floor
Tel. : (+225) 20 20 70 30 / (+225) 22 52 75 80
Website : www.conseilcotonanacarde.ci
Email : info@conseilcotonanacarde.ci 

With regard to cotton and cashew nuts, Law n°2013-656of 13 September 2013 laying down the rules relating to the marketing of cotton and cashew nuts and the regulation of the cotton and cashew nut sectors specifies the conditions for issuing this approval, and obligations linked to the export of these products. In addition to the general application of the provisions of the Customs Code :

• the « “external marketing” » of cotton and cashew nuts is reserved for commercial or industrial companies under Ivorian law that have this activity as part of their corporate purpose, for cooperative companies and their unions, and for cotton or cashew nut producers – See Art. 6 of Law n°2013-656 of 13 Septembre 2013.
• these operators must hold an exporter’s licence, issued by the regulatory body –  the Council for the regulation, monitoring and development of the cotton and cashew sectors, abbreviated as the Cotton and Cashew Council [1] – under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and valid only for one campaign – See.Art. 7 of  Law n°2013-656 of 13 September 2013.
• any export of these products is subject to registration under conditions defined by regulation– See. Art. 8 of Law n°2013-656 of 13 September 2013.
• The export of cotton and cashew products must respect the rules of packaging, quality control and phytosanitary treatment, fixed by regulation  – See. Art. 9 of Law n°2013-656 of 13 September 2013.

II- FEES AND Royalties

Exportation gives rise to the payment by the exporter of taxes and charges to the State and the Cotton and Cashew Council – See. Art. 10 of Law n°2013-656 of 13 September 2013 – as well as compulsory professional contributions for the financing of mutualised functions – See. Art. 11 of  Law n°2013-656 of 13 September 2013.

The amounts of these levies are determined by product, each year and for each crop year and are published by the Cotton and Cashew Council, in accordance with the Decree n°2013-808 of 26 November 2013  setting out the modalities for the collection of taxes and fees for the benefit of the Cotton Cashew Council and of professional contributions in the cotton and cashew sectors.

The levels of levies and contributions are set by joint order of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Economy and Finance

These perceptions are as follows:

• The Single Exit Duty (SED) to be paid to the State (invoiced by Customs when the Export Declaration is issued))
• Royalties and other professional contributions collected by the body in charge of regulating the sector, namely the of the Cotton Cashew Council :
  • For Cotton, royalties, taxes and contributions for the 2017-2018 season. See. Information note n° 1385/DG/SJC/HML/CCA-17 of 28 November 2017 of the Cotton and Cashew Council
  • For Cashew, royalties, taxes and contributions for the 2017 season – See. Information note  n°211/DG/SJC/KO/MO /CCA-17 of 16 February 2017) of the Cotton Cashew Council.

 

III- EXPORT APPROVAL

1. For Cotton

The conditions of approval for the export of cotton products are defined by Decree n˚2014.129 of 20 March 2014.
Requests for approval must be submitted to the General Management of the Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde (CCA) for each season.                                           Approval Application files are generally received in September and October.

For information, for the 2017-2018 campaign, applications for approval were received from Monday 14 August 2017 to Friday 15 September 2017, whereas applications were expected to be submitted in September 2017 and October 2017.
Applications are received at the General Directorate of the Cotton and Cashew Council, Abidjan -Plateau, CAISTAB Building on the 15th floor, or at the Regional Delegations of Bondoukou, Bouaké, Boundiali, Bouna, Ferkéssedougou, Katiola, Korhogo, Odienné, Séguéla, Zuénoula, Mankono and Dimbokro.
For further information, please contact : Tel. : (225) 20 20 70 30 / (225) 22 52 75 80 – E-mail : support@conseilcotonanacarde.ci

The conditions for obtaining an Approval are defined each year by circular note of CCA, available on its website.
The list of documents required to apply for Approval is available in the Circular Note  No 014 / SJC / COT / DG /CCA -17 of 11 August 2017 of the Cotton Cashew Council:

• Decision n°019-COT/SJC/DG/CCA-17 of 03 Novembre 2017 on the approval of exporters of cotton products for the 2017-2018 season

2. For Cashew

The export of Cashew (or cashew nuts) is governed by Decree N°2013-812 of 26 November 2013 regulating the profession of exporter of Cashew products, subject to obtaining an Approval from the Cotton Cashew Council (CCA), and specifying the conditions for obtaining it. In particular, operators are required to have their Head Office in Côte d’Ivoire.
Approval is granted for a marketing campaign.

The list of documents that make up the application file is available in the  Circular note  n°016 /CAJOU/DG/SJC/OM/CCA – 17 of 19 September 2017.  
Applications for Approval are received at the Head Office of the Cotton and Cashew Council – Abidjan – Plateau, CAISTAB Building on the 15th floor.
For more information, you can contact the CCA at the following:

Tel: (+225) 20 20 70 30/ (+225) 22 52 75 80
E-mail : support@conseilcotonanacarde.ci
Site Internet du CCA : www.conseilcotonanacarde.ci

The list of approved exporters of raw cashew nuts for the 2018 season is available on the CCA website: www.conseilcotonanacarde.ci=exportateurs+agréés.

IV- DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY CUSTOMS FOR COTTON AND CASHEW (NUTS)

Customs requires the documents listed below for the validation of the Customs Export Declaration (D6) :

Document	Issuing body	Model
Weighing certificate	Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (http://www.cci.ci/3.0/homepage/2013-01-07-14-15-21/formalites/convention-solas/root/2013-04-10-15-55-12/pesage).	Weighing certificate
Control Bulletin Quality	ACE-CI.	y Control Bulletin Quality
Certificate of origin	Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire.	Certificate of origin
Export Authorization	Single Window of  the Cotton and Cashew.	Export Authorization

V- COTTON AND CASHEW EXPORT PROCEDURE

Following Circular Note n°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA -17 of 11 August 2017, governing the Export of Cotton Products for the 2017-2018 season:

• The export of Cottonseed (unginned cotton) is strictly forbidden
• The export of cotton fibre by land is not permitted
• The export of Cottonseed by land is subject to the procedure described in the appendix to the Circular Note n°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA – 17 of 11 August 2017
• It is forbidden to export Cashew by land – See. Information Note n°2013.270 of 16 October 2013  and Circular  n°2005.1292 of 17 October 2005 of the Directorate General of Customs.

The export of products by the Port is subject to the following provisions in force:

• Circular n°06-DG/CCA-14 of 26 February 2014 reorganising export procedures for cotton fibre and seed, cashew nuts and kernels
• Circular Note n°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 of 06 October 2016, dispositions régissant l’Exportation des Produits du Coton au titre de la campagne de commercialisation 2016-2017.

Côte d’Ivoire has selected the company Audit Contrôle Expertise Côte d’Ivoire (ACE-CI) to ensure the quality control of cashew nuts for export (Validity of the contract: 3 years from 2016).
 Circular n°06/DG/CCA-14 of 26 February 2014 above defines the Common Export Procedure for Cotton and Cashew:

In addition, elements more specific to the methods of exporting Cashew products are detailed in Decree N°2013-810 of 26 November 2013.
The Export procedure adapts, if necessary, to changes in regulations in the sector and to customs procedures as well as those of other partners in the port community.
In practice, all export transactions are broken down as follows :

• Exporter Code: the exporter code is valid for one (1) year and is obtained from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and SME Promotion. The requirements for applying for this code are set out on the website of the  Ministry of  Trade, Industry and the SMEs Promotion.
  Cost: CFA 30,000
• Approval of the Exporter by the Cotton and Cashew Council.
• Registration of the Exporter Contract approved by the Marketing Department of the Cotton and Cashew Council.
• Establishment of a Transit Order between the forwarder and the exporter after agreement of the forwarder’s services.
• Bank domiciliation of the export invoice by the exporter or his representative via the website of the  Foreign Trade Single Window (GUCE) and issuance of the Export Certificate and the Foreign Exchange Repatriation Certificate.
• Establishment of the Certificate of Origin (SGP) or EUR1 (for goods destined for Europe) at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire or the ECOWAS/WAMU certificate.
• Phytosanitary treatment carried out by an applicator approved by the Cotton and Cashew Council (in accordance with the treatment procedure put in place by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) –  Cf. Example of List of approved applicators, with their contact details, 2016/2017 season  2016/2017.
• Phytosanitary inspection of the goods by the Phytosanitary Inspection Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, leading to the issue of an Authorisation to Quay (AMQ) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
• Application for Potting Authorisation by the exporter or his representative by email to the Cotton Cashew Council –guichet@conseilcotonanacarde.ci / empotage@conseilcotonanacarde.ci with a copy to ACE-CI and the Plant Health Inspection Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
• Potting agreement for goods issued by the Cotton Cashew Council by email to the exporter or his representative (with a copy to ACE-CI and to the Phytosanitary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).
• Potting of the goods in the presence of ACE-CI agents, the Phytosanitary Inspection Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Customs.
• During cashew stuffing: Sample collection by ACE-CI for quality control with the issuance of the Quality Bulletin.
• Stuffing report issued by ACE-CI and transmitted to the Guichet Unique du Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde – with a copy to the the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire – within a maximum of thirty-six (36) working hours after the last container has been stuffed (See. Potting Report model)
• The exporter or his representative sends by email to ACE-CI and to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (CCI-CI) the Provisional Packing List (see model) in order to issue the Quality Report.
• Issuance by ACE-CI of the Quality Bulletin (for Cashew nuts) in 3 copies and transmission of the Quality Bulletin to the CCA Single Window (maximum thirty-six (36) working hours after receipt of the final Packing List).
• Issuance of the Export Authorization by the Single Window of the Cotton and Cashew Council on the basis:
  • Of ACE-CI Potting Report (for Cotton) or the Quality Bulletin (Cashew Nuts).

• Of Certificate of Phytosanitary Treatment (for cashew nuts).
• Of Docking Authorization (AMQ).
• Of the  Provisional Packing List.
• Of the Proforma Invoice issued by the exporter based on the theoretical loading weight (16t per 20′ container and 25t per 40′ container).
• Checks intended for the payment of fees and professional contributions, the amounts of which are determined on the basis of the theoretical weight on boarding).

• Lifting and weighing of containers on one of the computerized and approved electronic weighbridges, in the presence of agents of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (CCI-CI).
• Transmission of the final Packing-List by the Exporter or his representative to the CCI-CI
• Issuance of the Weight Certificate by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (CCI-CI) on the basis of the Final Packing List then transmission to the Single Window of the Cotton and Cashew Council within a Thirty-six (36) working hours from receipt of the Final Packing List.
• Establishment of the Phytosanitary Certificate by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
  Required documents :

• Application for Phytosanitary Certificate.
• a Copy of the Bill of Lading
• Daily boarding report
• Survey Request

• Adjustment of fees by the CCA Single Window on the basis of :

• the Theoretical Invoiced Weight.
• the Actual Weight displayed by the Weight Certificate.
• the Standardized Domiciliary Invoice.
• a copy of the Phytosanitary Certificate.

Third party ownership of cotton and cashew

The profession of Third-Party Holder is incompatible with that of Exporter. The Exporter, in a third-party holding operation, can only deal with a Third-Party Holder approved by the Cotton and Cashew Council. Two operators are, to date, approved as Third Party Holders of Cotton and Cashew

N.B. The order of the steps is indicative only. In addition, some operations can be carried out simultaneously.

To be noted :
Exports to countries outside the WAEMU are subject to domiciliation with an approved intermediary for values in excess of CFAF ten (10) million – See. Art. 13, Regulation  N°09/2010/CM/UEMOA. 
The Exporter is then required to draw up an Exchange Commitment and an Export Certificate.
These documents are required to validate the Customs Export Declaration.

VI- SUMMARY OF DOCUMENTS ISSUED DURING THE EXPORT PROCEDURE FOR COFFEE OR COCOA, COTTON/ CASHEW NUTS

EXPORTER CODE

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned :       Ministry of Trade Transaction costs: 30,000 F CFA. Validity period: a year.	-Request addressed to the Director of Regulation and Trade (DRE). – Trade Register  – Tax Existence Declaration                   – Certificate of Tax Regularity. – Trade User Information Sheet in duplicate                   – Code sheet to be paid: 30,000 F CFA.                                 – Photocopy of the identity card or residence permit of the director or manager of the company (or power of attorney signed and sealed by the person in charge of the company and photocopy of the identity card or residence permit of the courier).	http://www.commerce.gouv.ci/commerce.php?id=16 Decree n° 93-313 of 11 March 1993 // Decree n° 96-581 of 31 July 1996 // Law No. 91-999 of 27 December 1991

 

COTTON OR CASHEW EXPORTER APPROVAL

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned : Cotton and Cashew Council. Transaction costs: Voir les conditions d’agrément d’exportateur sur le site Internet du Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde. Duration of issue: Validity period: a year..	Trade register	The list of approved exporters is available each year on the website http://www.conseilcotonanacarde.ci. Decree N°2013-681 of 02 October 2013. Decree N°2014-129 of 29 March 2014 setting out the conditions of approval for the export of cotton products. Déecree N°2013-812 of 26 November 2013 regulating the profession of cashew nut exporter.

 

ENREGISTREMENT DU CONTRAT AUPRES DU CONSEIL DU COTON ET DE L’ANACARDE

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Cotton and Cashew Council. Transaction costs: No fees. Duration of issue: demi-journée. Validity period:	Agrément d’exportaeur.	Decree N°06-DG/CCA-14 of 26 February 2014. Circular Note N°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 of 06 October 2016. Information note DGA/003 on the export procedure.

 

AUTHORISATION TO DOCK (AMQ) BY THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (AFTER PHYTOSANITARY INSPECTION)

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate General for Production, Plant Protection and Quality Control Directorate, Sub-Directorate of Phytosanitary Inspection at the Maritime Port of Abidjan Transaction costs Phytosanitary control (Ministry of Agriculture) 300 FCFA/Tonne.       Extra legal hours: 1200 FCFA / Overtime Duration of issue: 72h. Validity period: the validity of the Release is 15 days for cotton and 10 days for cashew nuts and kernels.	Lot number of the goods. Weight of the goods. Name and voyage number of the vessel. City of final destination.	Decree n°06-DG/CCA-14 of 26 February 2014. Circular Note N°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 of 06 October 2016.  Information Note DGA/003 on the export procedure. Tableau des Mises À Quai et du Contrôle des Produits Exportés (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).

 

AGREEMENT FOR THE POTTING OF GOODS ISSUED BY THE COTTON AND CASHEW COUNCIL

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Cotton and Cashew Council. Transaction costs: The cost of this service is part of the royalties paid to the Cotton and Cashew Council. Duration of issue: half day Validity period:		Décret n°06-DG/CCA-14 du 26 Février 2014 . Circular Note n°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 du 06 Octobre 2016.  Information Note DGA/003 on the export procedure.

 

PHYTOSANITARY TREATMENT CARRIED OUT BY AN APPLICATOR APPROVED BY THE CONSEIL COTON ANACARDE GIVING RISE TO A CERTIFICATE OF DISINSECTISATION (AD)

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Applicators approved by the Cotton and Cashew Council. Transaction costs the cost of this service is part of the fees paid to the Cotton and Cashew Council. Duration of issue: Validity period:		Decree N°06-DG/CCA-14 of 26 February 2014.  Circular Note N°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 of 06 October 2016.  Information Note DGA/003 on the export procedure.

 

ISSUE OF THE QUALITY REPORT (FOR CASHEW NUTS) BY ACE-CI (AFTER ANALYSIS OF THE SAMPLE TAKEN DURING POTTING)

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: AACE-CI is a company approved by the Cotton and Cashew Council for the analysis of this product (2016 contract for 3 years). Transaction costs: The cost of this service is part of the royalties paid to the Cotton and Cashew Council. Duration of issue: 36 working hours after receipt of the final packing list.. Validity period:		Decree N°06-DG/CCA-14 of 26 February 2014.  Circular Note N°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 of 06 October 2016.  Information Note DGA/003 on the export procedure.

 

 

 

 

ISSUE OF THE ACE-CI POTTING REPORT (FOR COTTON)

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: ACE-CI is a company approved by the Cashew Cotton Council for the analysis of this product. Transaction costs: The cost of this service is part of the royalties paid to the Cotton and Cashew Council. Duration of issue: 36 working hours from the stuffing of the last container. Validity period:		Décret n°06-DG/CCA-14 du 26 Février 2014.  Circular Note n°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 du 06 Octobre 2016.  Information Note DGA/003 on the export procedure.

 

ISSUE OF THE EXPORT LICENCE

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Cotton and Cashew Council. Transaction costs: The cost of this service is part of the royalties paid to the Cotton and Cashew Council. Duration of issue: a half day Validity period:	Potting report issued by ACE-CI (for cotton) or Quality Bulletin (for cashew). Authorisation to Quay (AMQ). Provisional packing list. Pro-forma invoice issued by the exporter based on the theoretical shipment weight (15 T/20’and 25t/40′). Cheques for professional fees and contributions, the amounts of which are determined on the basis of the theoretical embarkation weight.	Decree N°06-DG/CCA-14 of 26 February 2014.  Circular Note n°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 du 06 Octobre 2016.  Information Note DGA/003 on the export procedure.

 

ISSUE OF THE D6 CUSTOMS EXPORT DECLARATION (UNDER THE SYDAM CUSTOMS SYSTEM)

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Transaction costs: Payment of DUS to Customs. Duration of issue: Validity period:	Weighing certificate. Quality control certificate. Certificate of origin. Export authorisation from the Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde. Payment of DUS.

 

 

 

ISSUE OF PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE (MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE)

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Ministry of Agriculture, General Directorate of Production Plant Protection and Quality Control Directorate, Sub-Directorate of Phytosanitary Inspection at the Maritime Port of Abidjan Transaction costs: Gratuit. Duration of issue: 72h. Validity period:	Application for phytosanitary certificate. Copy of the bill of lading. Daily boarding report. Application for a survey.	[See Plant Health Control Scheme for Miscellaneous Products for Export]. Delivery times are sometimes longer. Decree N°2016-296 of 11 May 2016 Inter-ministerial order n°005 of 30 December 2016  Inter-ministerial Order n°252/MINAGRI/MPMEF/MPMB of 19 June 2014. Decree N°06-DG/CCA-14 of 26 February 2014. Circular Note N°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA-16 of 06 October 2016.  Information note DGA/003 on the export procedure.

 

CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN (FORM A, SGSP, EUR1, PRODUCT FROM COTE D’IVOIRE)

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire. Transaction costs: 6.000 FCFA / sheet for verification and signature (4 sheets on average). Duration of issue: half day. Validity period: per shipment	Purchase of sheets (XOF 150f/ sheet from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.	The average number of leaflets used is 4 / the cost of purchasing the leaflet is around 150 francs. Decree n°593 of 16 October 2014 on the organization and attribution of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire.

 

WEIGHING CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Information	Documents required	Legal link – Observations
Organization concerned: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire. Transaction costs: The cost of this service is part of the royalties paid to the Cotton and Cashew Council. Duration of issue: 36 working hours from receipt of the final packing list. Validity period:	Truck number. Container number. Number of bags. Name of exporter. Forwarder’s name. Client name. Destination city Vessel name. Final packing list.	Decree n°06-DG/CCA-14 of February 26, 2014. Circular Note n°013/SJC/COT/DG/CCA–16 of 06 October 2016. Information note DGA/003 on the export procedure. Decree n°593of 16 October 2014 on the organization and attribution of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire.

[1] Website: http://www.conseilcotonanacarde.ci/ – Email: info@conseilcotonanacarde.ci  / support@conseilcotonanacarde.ci