Importing Personal Effects into Liberia: Documents & Customs Rules

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

Personal Effects

• Expatriates working for a private company or NGO without a duty-free agreement with the Liberian government
• Valued Inventory List copy or commercial invoice in USD.
• The inventory list needs to show on top of the items value, the kind of material and country of purchase of all items or category of items.
• Company/NGO tax clearance and registration certificates
• Client’s passport copy
• Request for importation approval letter on company/NGO letterhead addressed to LRA.
• Packing list
• Importer passport copy.
• Copy of expatriate company tax clearance and business registration certificates. Returning residents
• Valued Inventory List copy or commercial invoice in USD.
• The inventory list needs to show on top of the items value, the kind of material and country of purchase of all items or category of items.
• Packing list
• Passport copy
• Detailed inventory following same
• requirements as above
• Valid TIN certificate
• Application letter for permission of importing personal effects addressed to Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA). Diplomats
• Packing List
• BL copy
• Diplomatic ID
• Passport copy
• Verbal note from the Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming new diplomat posting in Liberia
• Approval request for duty free importation addressed to Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).

• Import duties and taxes are applicable for all categories of customers (diplomats and exempted organizations staff excluded), it is calculated as per the valued inventory list provided and corresponding items HS codes.
• Customs clearance takes on average 3 to 4. weeks for AIR shipments and 3 to 5 weeks for SEA shipments.
• It can be initiated only after reception of all requested documentation from the client.
• Storage and demurrage costs are frequent (150 to 300 USD / TEU on average and if no specific issue) and regular port congestion periods have been noticed at Monrovia Freeport.
• For duty paid cargo, an import duty report will be generated by BIVAC Liberia (CRF) before Customs declaration can be initiated with estimation of duties and taxes. This can be completed with a destination physical inspection.
• BIVAC fees are billed 1.20% of FOB value with a minimum fee of USD 190 for sea cargo and 1.50% of CIF value with a
• minimum fee of USD 100 for air cargo. If not covered by the removal contract, contact your local agent before delivery.
• Customs duties are settled by certified bank check addressed to Liberia General Revenue Account only.
• For NGO/Organizations which benefit from a duty-free agreement, the same regulations as diplomats apply.
• Applicable on all personal effects cargo (AIR / SEA) for which consignee do not benefit for tax exemption, duties will apply depending on inventory / commercial invoice and the nature of each item.
• Used personal effects are taxed like commercial goods.
• MEDTECH fees applicable on top of Customs duties.
• 1.20% of FOB value with a minimum fee of 190.00 USD for sea cargo and 1.50% of CIF value with a minimum fee of 100.00 USD for air cargo.
• No duties and taxes to be paid for a diplomat or tax exempted company expatriate / resident.
• Duty paid cargo are all eligible for inspection by Customs and / or BIVAC when reaching Liberia.

Prohibited/ Restricted Items

• Unlawful drugs
• Food
• Arms and ammunition
• Plants
• Pharmaceuticals

• Does not apply for diplomatic shipments.

Restricted Areas

• The circulation of tractor trailers in some sectors of Monrovia is restricted: - 6 pm to 6 am only.
• Truck detention charges apply from 12:00 the day following port container release (200 USD / TEU / day).

Liberia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

• Detailed inventory, valued in USD, showing the exact number of boxes packed, the type of goods, their value per unit, their quantity, the type of material (wood, iron, plastic, etc.), the purchase country, and the weight per box
• Company/NGO tax clearance and registration certificates
• Client's passport copy
• Request for importation approval letter on company/NGO letterhead addressed to LRA
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / telex release / air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list (in English)

• Passport copy
• Detailed inventory (same requirements as above)
• Valid TIN certificate (Tax Identification Number)
• Application letter for permission of importing personal effects addressed to LRA

• Diplomatic ID
• Passport copy
• Verbal note from the Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming new diplomat posting in Liberia
• Approval request for duty-free importation addressed to Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA)

• Same regulations as diplomats apply

Specific Information

BIVAC pre-inspection (CRF): For duty-paid cargo, an import duty report (Clear Report of Findings / CRF) will be generated by BIVAC Liberia before the customs declaration can be initiated. This may include a destination physical inspection. BIVAC fees are billed at 1.20% of FOB value with a minimum fee of USD 190 for sea cargo, and 1.50% of CIF value with a minimum fee of USD 100 for air cargo. If not covered by the removal contract, contact the destination agent before delivery.

Port storage and demurrage: Frequent, averaging USD 150 to 300 per TEU. Documents with OBL / telex release must be delivered to the agent at least 10 days prior to shipment arrival to avoid these charges.

OBL / AWB labeling: Indicate "used personal effects" instead of "household goods" on the OBL/AWB. Detailed volumes of the household goods and personal effects should also be indicated on the OBL/AWB.

Valued inventory for exempt shipments: The invoice of the shipment must show the value that the government will waive to the employer or organization. Agents and customers should create an invoice from the value inventory list for diplomatic and exempt shipments.

ISPM 15 (wood packaging): All wood packaging materials must comply with ISPM 15 standards (heat treated or fumigated, with the IPPC stamp).

Duties & Taxes

Duties and taxes are applicable for all categories of customers except diplomats and exempted organization staff. Duties are calculated based on the valued inventory list and corresponding items' HS codes. This is a critical distinction from many other countries where household goods can be imported duty-free; in Liberia, the default is that duty is owed.

Customs duties payment: Settled by certified bank check addressed to Liberia General Revenue Account only.

Diplomatic exemptions: Diplomatic shipments are exempt from import duties and taxes. The diplomatic organization must provide the agent with the diplomatic exemption and documents received from the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Unlawful drugs
• Counterfeit items
• Pornographic material
• Meat and meat products

Special authorization required for:

• Arms and ammunition: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Intelligence section. PERMIT REQUIRED
• Plants: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. PERMIT REQUIRED
• Pharmaceuticals: Ministry of Health. PERMIT REQUIRED

Duty-free allowances for personal imports (traveller's baggage):

• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
• 1 litre of consumable spirits/wine
• 4 fluid ounces of perfume, 1 litre of eau de toilette
• New items valued at no more than USD 125

Currency limits: USD 10,000 limit on the amount of local or foreign currency that can be imported. All local or foreign cash exiting Liberia exceeding USD 7,500 must be declared at customs. Large sums can only be exported as bank drafts, traveller's cheques, or similar instruments.

Flowers, plants, and seeds: Require a valid health certificate from the country of origin.

Food: Reasonable quantities are allowed in shipments; larger quantities are restricted.

Rough diamonds: Can only be imported under strict international trade laws (Kimberley Process).

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.

Document lead time: Documents with OBL / telex release must be delivered to the destination agent at least 10 days prior to shipment arrival. A copy of the OBL/AWB should be forwarded to the destination agent to start the clearance process prior to arrival.

Port of entry: Roberts International Airport (ROB) for air freight; Freeport of Monrovia for sea freight.

Customs clearance timeline: 2 to 3 weeks for air shipments, 3 to 5 weeks for sea shipments. This is significantly longer than most countries and must be factored into delivery timelines and cost estimates.

Demurrage and storage: Average USD 150 to 300 per TEU. This is a frequent and significant cost that should be communicated to customers during the quotation process.

BIVAC fees: Not always included in removal contracts. Confirm with the destination agent whether BIVAC inspection fees (minimum USD 100 air, USD 190 sea) are included or will be billed separately.

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

Currency: Liberian dollar (LRD) and US dollar (USD) both circulate. Customs duties are settled in the Liberia General Revenue Account by certified bank check.

Security environment: Liberia has made significant progress since the end of civil conflict (2003), but infrastructure remains limited and logistics can be challenging. Road conditions outside Monrovia are poor, especially during the rainy season (May to October).