Importing Personal Effects into The Gambia: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the The Gambia Import Guide (PDF)

Household Goods/PE

• Copy of valid passport
• Detailed valued inventory in English, dated, and signed by the shipper
• Gambian Tax Identification Number (TIN). A copy of the certificate (not only the number)
• Official transfer letter/ appointment letter from employer or end of mission letter for returning diplomat (if applicable)
• Invoice for the electrical items less than 6 months old

• HHGs and vehicles are subject to duty and taxes including shipment for returning Gambians and returning Gambia Diplomats.
• Duties and taxes are calculated as follows:
• 35% Revenue Tax based on the CIF value.
• 18% Duty based on the CIF value
• 15% VAT (Duty and CIF value)
• 1.5% CIF processing fee
• 0.5% Ecowas on the CIF value
• The only exceptions to duty and taxes are Diplomatic shipments.

• Note that removal shipments are opened and checked by customs.
• The following items may be imported dutyfree within the limits indicated:
• Cigarettes (200), cigars (50), tobacco (500g)
• Wine (1 liter), beer (1 liter), up to D1000.00 in other goods; contact agent for details

Vehicles

• Copy of passport
• Car registration documents
• Title or ownership certificate
• Purchase invoice / sale certificate
• Gambian Tax Identification Number (TIN) A copy of the certificate (not only the number)
• Official transfer letter/ appointment letter from employer or end of mission letter for returning diplomat (if applicable)
• Year, colour, and chassis number must appear on the BL

• HHGs and vehicles are subject to duty and taxes including shipment for returning Gambians and returning Gambia Diplomats.
• Duties and taxes are calculated as follows:
• 35% Revenue Tax based on the CIF value.
• 18% Duty based on the CIF value
• 15% VAT (Duty and CIF value)
• 1.5% CIF processing fee
• 0.5% Ecowas on the CIF value .
• The only exceptions to duty and taxes are Diplomatic shipments.

• Note that removal shipments are opened and checked by customs.

Prohibited Items

• Firearms, ammunitions, knives are submitted to authorisation from territorial administration
• Drugs
• Pornography, defamatory, obscene publications
• Army-like clothing

The Gambia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the The Gambia Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Copy of passport
• Packing list
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Original detailed inventory in English, dated, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods
• Invoices for new electrical and hi-fi appliances (if applicable)
• Residence permit / work permit / letter of employment
• Non-sale certificate (must state that the owner of the goods will not sell personal items)

Specific Information

Processing fee and ECOWAS tax: All shipments are subject to a 1.5% CIF processing fee plus a 0.55% ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) tax. These apply even to otherwise duty-free shipments and are based on the CIF value.

Customs inspection: Most removal shipments are opened and physically checked by Customs. Clients should be advised that this is standard procedure, not an indication of a problem.

Diplomatic shipments: The destination agent must receive all required customs documents prior to the shipment's arrival to obtain free entry clearance. This applies to both household goods and vehicles.

ECOWAS membership: The Gambia is a member of ECOWAS. The Common External Tariff (CET) applies to imports from outside the ECOWAS zone. Goods from other ECOWAS member states may benefit from preferential tariff treatment.

Language: English is the official language. All documents should be in English.

Currency: Gambian dalasi (GMD).

ISPM 15: Wood packaging materials (pallets, crates, dunnage) should comply with ISPM 15 standards. Non-compliant wood packaging may cause delays.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Used household goods are imported tax-free with the exception of all electrical and hi-fi appliances, which are subject to duties regardless of age or condition. New items purchased less than 6 months before import require original invoices and are subject to full duties.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Unlawful drugs / illegal drugs
• Pornographic material
• Knives and deadly weapons
• Counterfeit money and goods
• Meat, poultry, and many other animal products
• Plants, parts thereof, and plant produce including trees and shrubs (without authorization)
• Radio-communication equipment not approved for use in The Gambia

Traveller allowances:

• 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 500 grams of tobacco
• 1 litre of wine, 1 litre of beer
• Other goods up to D1,000 (Gambian dalasi) in value. Contact agent for current details.

Firearms, explosives, and ammunition: Authorization from the Inspector General of Police is required before import. Items will be held by police until the permit is issued.

Vegetables, fruits, plants: Some vegetables (including potatoes), fruit, bulbs, and seeds require authorization before import.

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air and sea shipments.

Customs inspection is routine: Advise clients that most shipments are opened and physically inspected. This is standard practice in The Gambia, and the inventory should be thorough enough to withstand item-by-item comparison.

Port of entry: The primary port is the Port of Banjul. Banjul International Airport handles air freight. The Gambia's geography (a narrow strip of land along the Gambia River, surrounded by Senegal on three sides) means some overland shipments may transit through Senegal.

Transit through Senegal: Shipments arriving at Dakar port (Senegal) for onward road transport to The Gambia must clear Senegalese transit customs. This adds time and potential costs. Direct shipping to Banjul is preferable when available.