Importing Personal Effects into Equatorial Guinea: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Equatorial Guinea Import Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods

• Packing list in French or Spanish.
• Copy of valid passport.
• Original B/L (Seaway bill is better) or AWB.
• Detailed valued inventory in French or Spanish, dated, and signed by the shipper.
• Invoice for the electrical items less than 6 months old.
• Original certificate of transfer, done on the employer`s letterhead IN SPANISH, with date of start of contract in Malabo.
• Move certificate delivered by the City Hall at origin.
• Note: If one of these documents misses: 62% D&T on the CIF value.
• RETURNING CITIZENS:
• Change of residence certificate, passport copy and detailed valued inventory list, stamped and signed by the consulate of Equatorial Guinea in the origin country.
• Packing List, AWB, BL/SWB, letter end of mission signed, stamped and dated by the employer.
• Note: If one of these documents misses: 62% D&T on the CIF value.

• DIPLOMATS:
• Note that the duty-free certificate (diplomatic franchise) is required to clear the shipment. Depending on the Embassy or Int`l organization, it takes about 10-15 days to get the franchise.
• Demurrage and storage charges will occur if your removal agent does not receive all the required documents at least 2 weeks before the shipment’s arrival.
• RETURNING CITIZENS and non-oil workers:
• Will have to pay 10% taxes on the CIF value to the Ministry of Trade.

• Used HHG`s are NOT duty free in Equatorial Guinea for returning residents, returning diplomats and people coming to work in Equatorial Guinea except those working for oil companies and companies that have a protocol agreement with the government in which an exemption of duties is clearly stipulated.
• Purchase invoices, clearly identifying electrical items, date year and place of purchase, are needed.
• The attendance of shipper is not required for import customs clearance.
• Taxes:
• None for diplomats and oil workers.
• 10% on all used HHG based on the CIF value (declared value as per valued inventory list + 31% of this value) to the Ministry of Trade.
• +62% for customs
• 62% on any car.
• 30% for food (no tax if reasonable quantity).
• 110% for alcohol or tobacco (no tax if reasonable quantity).

Prohibited Items

• Firearms, ammunitions, knives are submitted to authorisation from territorial administration.
• Drugs.
• Pornography, defamatory, obscene publications.
• Alcohol, only the mention “fond de cave” is acceptable and duty free (max 20 bottles).
• Army-like clothing.
• Books, movies relating to wars or terrorist events.
• Binocular, High Tech Camera.

New Furniture and Household Goods

• Commercial invoice.
• Packing list.
• Copy of Ocean/Airway Bill of Lading.

• Subject to customs duty and tax: 10%+52%.

Equatorial Guinea Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

Specific Information

Shipper presence not required: The shipper's attendance is not required for import customs clearance.

Diplomatic franchise timeline: It takes approximately 8 days to obtain the franchise. Demurrage and storage charges may accrue during this period.

Inventory requirements: Must be valued and in French or Spanish. Electrical items require purchase invoices clearly identifying the item, date, year, and place of purchase. Items less than 6 months old require invoices.

Duties & Taxes

Household goods are NOT duty-free for most importers. Used household goods are not duty-free for returning residents, returning diplomats, or people coming to work in Equatorial Guinea, except for those working for companies that have a protocol agreement with the government in which an exemption of duties is clearly stipulated. This is a critical distinction: unless the employer has a government protocol agreement, duties will be charged.

Tax schedule:

• Diplomats: no duties or taxes
• Used household goods: 10% on declared value per the valued inventory list
• New car: 51.9%
• Appliances: 38%
• Food: 30% (no tax if reasonable quantity)
• Alcohol or tobacco: 110% (no tax if reasonable quantity)

Prohibited & Restricted Items

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

Pre-authorization for vehicles is mandatory. Authorization from the Ministry of Transportation and Port Authorities must be obtained before shipping from the origin port. Failure to obtain this will prevent clearance.

Valued inventory required: The inventory must be valued, in French or Spanish, and include full details for electrical items.

Protocol agreements: Confirm with the employer whether a government protocol agreement exists that grants duty exemption. Without one, all household goods are subject to 10% duty.

Franchise processing (diplomats): Allow approximately 8 days for the franchise to be processed. Demurrage and storage charges may accrue during this time.

Ports of entry: Malabo (Bioko Island) and Bata (mainland/Río Muni) are the two primary ports. Confirm which port will receive the shipment with the destination agent.

CEMAC membership: Equatorial Guinea is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro.