Procédure d’importation
I-INTRODUCTION
Obtaining tax privileges is based on Decree 68-129 of 13 March 1968 [LD68.129] on customs privileges granted to diplomatic missions and also on the General Customs Code – (http://www.douanes.ci/PDF/GUIDE_DE_PROCEDURES_DES_EXONERATIONS_ET_FRANCHISES.pdf). The procedures must be carried out with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Directorate General of State Protocol
Directorate of Privileges and Immunities
Sub-Directorate of Special Regimes
Abidjan – Plateau, near the Plateau Town Hall, opposite the FER
BP V109 – Abidjan
Tel: (+ 225) 20 32 08 88 / (+225) 20 22 94 10
Website: //www.diplomatie.gouv.ci/index.php
Within the framework of foreign trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intervenes in the attribution of rights arising from fiscal privileges (exemption from customs duties, VAT, temporary duty-free admission) granted to diplomatic missions [Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 18 April 1961[1], to consular missions [Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 24 April 1963[2], to sub-regional and international organizations having a Headquarters Agreement with Côte d’Ivoire, and to foreign NGOs having an Establishment Agreement with Côte d’Ivoire.
II-PROCEDURE
The procedure is free of charge and takes 3 to 4 weeks.
STEP 1 – A Note Verbale is to be sent to the Directorate of Privileges and Immunities of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) by the Head of Mission or Organization.
This Note Verbale must be accompanied by the following documents
– Bill of Lading (BL) or Air Waybill (AWB).
– Product Invoice.
– Freight Invoice.
– Packing List.
– Customs Declaration.
STEP 2 – A Temporary Admission Form (in 5 copies) – (Temporary Admission Form) – is to be filled in for the vehicles – Temporary Admission Forms can be purchased at a price of 1,000 F. CFA each from the National Printing Office.
STEP 3 – A Free Admission Form – (Fiche d’Admission en Franchise) is to be filled in for all other products (in 3 original copies) – Free Admission Forms can be purchased at the price of 1,000 F. CFA each from the National Printing House.
STEP 4 – The application is examined and validated by the Directorate of Privileges and Immunities of Diplomatic and Consular Missions.
STEP 5 – The Directorate of Privileges and Immunities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs then forwards the application to the Sub-Directorate of Special Regimes of the Customs for validation and signature.
STEP 6 – Return of the file to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
STEP 7 – Withdrawal of the file from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the applicant organization
STEP 8 – Deposit of the file with the forwarder chosen by the Organization to carry out the Customs procedures.
[1] https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/1964/06/19640624%2002-10%20AM/Ch_III_3p.pdf
[2] https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/1967/06/19670608%2010-36%20AM/Ch_III_6p.pdf