International Parcel Package delivery Benin

Parcel delivery to Benin

The Republic of Benin is a small country on the southern facing coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Togo, Burkina, Niger, Nigeria, and the Gulf of Guinea. The political capital of Benin is Porto Novo. The adminisrative capital is Cotonou, which is also the largest city. Cotonou has been an international port since European colonization. The official language is French. Most of the population of over 9.5 million people lives near the coast. The economy of Benin is largely agriculture. There is a high crime rate and reports of corruption in the Customs department.

Customs for parcel shipping to Benin

The applicable duty or tax may range from 0% to 20% depending on the type of commodity and point of origin. West AFrican Economic and Monetary Union (UMEOA) countries do not have to pay duties, but there are still taxes. Preferential treatment in regards to duties is available for EU countries as well. A 15% tax is added to imports from the Economic Community of West African Staes (ECOWAS).There are tax reductions for special imports such as food stuffs, pharmaceuticals, or products for public or school use.

Security concerns when shipping parcels to Benin

The following commodities are prohibited to import into Benin: illicit narcotics, weapons, firearms and ammunition, explosives, hazardous materials and dangerous goods, plants or animals or their products, asbestos, precious metals and stones, ivory, furs, games of chance, counterfeit goods or currency, pornography. It is prohibited to import hazardous materials and dangerous goods.These items may include: acids, batteries, biological products, chemicals, corrosives, cosmetics, flammables, gases, ice, infectious substances, liquids, magnets, oxidizers, paints, perfume, poisons, radioactive material, or toiletries.

Parcel documents delivering to Benin

There should be a commercial invoice, including one original and two copies. The invoice must contain certified state CIF and FOB official prices. Two copies of the certificate of origin are needed as well. A packing list is necessary to obtain clearance. There should also be a bill of lading. Plant, animals and their products can only be imported with prior approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, & Fisheries. Those who wish to bring weapons and ammunition into Benin need apply for a special hunting permit.