Importing Personal Effects into Mauritania: Documents & Customs Rules

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

Personal effects

• Certificate of change of residence
• Packing List of the goods
• Work attestation in Mauritania.
• Copy of passport (diplomatic or service if applicable)
• Residence card
• Exemption letter from the Mauritania Ministry of Finance (for non-diplomatic shipment) or from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for diplomatic shipment)
• Used effects.
• Detailed inventory valued in EUR, dated, signed, and written in French.
• New effects
• Packing List
• Detailed inventory, with exact amount of the invoices of new items.
• Original invoice
• Invoices for electrical items not older than 6 months

• Used
• Valued, dated, and signed inventory.
• Copy of car registration documents
• Non-lien certificate (valid for one month)
• ID or passport of vehicle owner.
• Residence card
• New with temporary registration (W.W)
• Purchase invoice
• Non-lien certificate (valid for 1 month)
• ID or passport of vehicle owner.
• Residence card
• New without tax and number plate
• Original invoice with address at destination
• EX 1 n° 3
• ID or passport of vehicle owner.
• Residence card

Prohibited Items

• Arms
• Alcohol
• Drugs and narcotics
• Counterfeit goods
• Cigarettes
• Ivory
• Ostrich eggs
• Turtle shell
• Coral
• Shells
• Stuffed animals
• Animal skin as well as all species mentioned in the Washington Convention.

Mauritania Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

• Certificate of change of residence from the city hall or embassy in the country of origin
• Work attestation confirming employment in Mauritania
• Copy of passport (diplomatic or service passport if applicable)
• Exemption letter from the Mauritanian Ministry of Finance (for non-diplomatic shipments) or from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for diplomatic shipments)
• Resident permit, letter from employer, or diplomatic card
• Original bill of lading (OBL), express release, or airway bill (AWB)
• Original valued inventory in French, dated and signed by the owner of the goods
• Non-sale certificate (must state that the client will not sell personal effects in Mauritania)
• Invoices for all electrical items less than 6 months old

Specific Information

Important context: Mauritania is an Islamic republic. Alcohol and pork products are strictly prohibited. These items must not be included in any household goods shipment under any circumstances.

New items: New items (less than 6 months old) require original invoices. Invoices must contain: the importer's name and address at destination, the SIREN or SIRET number of the shop, the total price showing VAT, and the origin of the goods (whether from within or outside the EEC). Customs will reject till slips, delivery notes, order forms, and sale slips intended only for airport customs rather than sea freight customs.

Customs inspection: All containers may be checked by Customs, including diplomatic shipments. The OBL must be accurate and declare all import items. Discrepancies between the OBL and the actual contents will result in delays and potential penalties.

Documentation language: All inventories and customs documentation must be in French, valued in euros.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Used household goods may be imported duty-free provided the required exemption letter is obtained and the documentation is complete. The exemption letter from the Ministry of Finance (non-diplomatic) or Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomatic) is essential and must be arranged before or concurrent with the shipment process.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Alcoholic beverages (strictly prohibited under Islamic law)
• Pork and pork products (strictly prohibited under Islamic law)
• Arms and weapons [Permit Required]
• Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
• Counterfeit goods and currency
• Cigarettes
• Ivory [CITES]
• Ostrich eggs [CITES]
• Turtle shells [CITES]
• Coral [CITES]
• Shells (certain protected species)
• Stuffed animals
• Animal skins
• All species listed under the Washington Convention (CITES)

Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or 1 lb (approximately 450 g) of tobacco. Note: some sources list cigarettes as a prohibited item, which may reflect a difference in classification between personal traveller allowances and inclusion in household shipments. Confirm current tobacco regulations with the destination agent before shipping.

Perfume: 50 grams of perfume and 250 ml (1/4 litre) of eau de cologne.

Sporting guns may be temporarily admitted with prior authorization from the Home Ministry, in addition to gun and import licenses.

Confirm current currency import/export regulations with the destination agent. Mauritania uses the Ouguiya (MRU), which was redenominated in 2018 (1 new MRU = 10 old MRO).

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments. Mauritania's customs environment requires careful document preparation; incomplete or inaccurate documentation will cause significant delays.

Port of entry: The principal port is the Port de Nouakchott (Port de l'Amitie / Friendship Port). The port of Nouadhibou in the north also handles cargo. Air shipments arrive via Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC).

Document timing: Documents must be received by the destination agent at least 1 week prior to importation. The exemption letter from the Ministry of Finance or Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be arranged as early as possible, as government processing times can be unpredictable.

Islamic law compliance: Mauritania strictly enforces Islamic law. Alcohol, pork products, and any materials considered offensive to Islamic values must not be included in shipments. Customs officials will inspect all containers, including diplomatic shipments.

Visa requirements: Most nationalities require a visa to enter Mauritania. Electronic visas are available for many nationalities. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from endemic areas.