Shipping to Gabon: Customs, transit time and import regulations
Properly plan for CEMAC customs and BIETC when shipping goods to Central Africa
Gabon is located on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa and is particularly interesting for companies in the energy, industry, mechanical engineering and technical equipment sectors.
- Shipping from Germany to Gabon
- Parcel, express and freight solutions
- Compare carriers and shipping costs
- International shipment tracking
- Consider CEMAC customs tariff
- Check BIETC requirements
- Prepare import documents digitally
- Solutions for commercial shipments
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In Gabon, complete documentation determines the duration.
For shipments to Gabon, the value of the goods, their origin, and the product description should be determined before booking.
The correct procedure is particularly important. Customs tariff number or HS code.
Among other things, it determines which CEMAC duty rate applies and whether additional product regulations must be observed.
French customs regulations must be taken into account.
French is the official language of Gabon. For postal customs declarations, DHL specifies only French as an acceptable language.
Don't overlook BIETC
Gabon uses the Bordereau d'Identification Électronique de Traçabilité des Cargaisons, or BIETC for short. This electronic document serves to record and track international freight and may be required for air, sea, and other freight transport.
Check regulated products in advance
Import permits or additional certificates may be required for agricultural goods, meat, poultry, hazardous chemicals and other controlled products.
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Important information about customs and import duties
DAP or DDP to Gabon: Specify importer in advance
When making a business shipment to Gabon, it should be clear who will handle the import clearance before the shipment is sent.
For DAP The seller organizes transport to the agreed destination. Customs duties, VAT, and other import costs are generally borne by the recipient.
For DDP In contrast, the seller bears the agreed costs and obligations of the import.
For Gabon, a DDP solution should always be individually assessed.
In addition to customs duties and VAT, other requirements may apply, for example:
- BIETC
- Evidence of conformity
- Import permits
- Health certificates
- Handling fees
Before booking DDP, it should therefore be clarified who is acting as the local importer and which documents are required for the specific goods.
You can find more information about the delivery terms in our guide to DAP and DDP for international shipping.
What are the customs duties in Gabon?
Gabon is a member of the CEMAC and uses the common external tariff of the Central African Customs Union.
For imports from countries outside the CEMAC, different tariff groups generally apply.
Typical inch sizes are:
- 5% for certain basic necessities
- 10% for raw materials and certain capital goods
- 20% for various intermediate products
- 30% off numerous finished and consumer goods
Which rate actually applies depends on the specific customs tariff number.
Therefore, a machine can be treated differently than a finished consumer product.
Additional taxes or duties may apply depending on the goods.
Further information on the correct classification can be found at HS code and customs tariff number.
What is the VAT rate in Gabon?
The regular one The VAT rate in Gabon is 18 percent..
In addition, there are reduced tax rates and tax exemptions for certain legally defined goods and sales.
However, for normal commercial imports of goods, the standard rate should generally be used for calculations, unless a special exception applies.
Potential import costs therefore include:
- Import duty
- 18% VAT
- further import duties
- Excise tax (if applicable)
- Handling and document costs
VAT: 18%
What is BIETC when shipping to Gabon?
One of the most important features of Gabonese trade is that BIETC.
The abbreviation stands for:
Bordereau d'Identification Électronique de Traçabilité des Cargaisons
This is an electronic document for recording and tracking freight.
It contains, among other things, information on:
- consignor
- Recipients
- Transport route
- Goods
- freight charges
- Transport documents
The Gabonese Shippers' Council uses the system for international freight transport.
For air freight shipments, for example, the Air Waybill, supplier invoice, freight invoice and packing list are listed as documents for the BIETC.
In maritime transport, the required information includes, among other things, the transport contract, freight invoice, goods invoice and export documents.
For express and courier shipments, it should be checked whether the carrier or its local partner adopts the BIETC procedure.
Shipping from Germany to Gabon: What companies should know
Gabon lies directly on the Atlantic coast and belongs to the Central African economic region.
The capital city, Libreville, is also one of the country's most important economic and logistics centers.
For German companies, deliveries of machinery, spare parts, industrial supplies and technical products are of particular interest.
However, the shipping process differs significantly from a European delivery.
What documents do I need for a shipment to Gabon?
The Gabonese customs administration specifies various mandatory documents for importing goods.
Depending on the transport route, this includes in particular:
- Commercial invoice
- Transport document
- Certificate of Origin
- Export document
- possibly BIETC
- Import permits may be required.
For air transport, an air waybill is used, for example. For sea freight, a bill of lading is used.
A commercial invoice is required for normal sales of goods.
For free samples, replacement deliveries or other non-commercial goods movements, a pro forma invoice may be used, depending on the reason for shipment.
You can find out more at Commercial invoice or pro forma invoice.
Prepare product descriptions better in French
Since the customs declaration for postal shipments to Gabon must be filled out in French, it is worthwhile to prepare the goods description accordingly.
Instead of a general description such as:
“Pièces”
For example:
“Boîtier de pumpe en acier inoxidable pour machine industrial”
much more meaningful.
The description should reveal:
- what the product is
- what material it is made of
- what it is used for
The fitting Customs tariff number This should also be determined before collection.
Are there any customs advantages for goods from Germany?
Gabon is part of the CEMAC Customs Union.
Products originating in other CEMAC member states may enjoy special customs advantages within the common market.
For goods from Germany, the common CEMAC external tariff generally applies, unless a special exemption or product-specific rule applies.
An important difference here is compared to Cameroon:
Cameroon applies an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union. Gabon has not yet adopted this agreement.
A German product should therefore not automatically be calculated as qualifying for preferential treatment simply because it originates from the EU.
How long does it take for a package to Gabon to arrive?
The delivery time depends heavily on the shipping service.
DHL Parcel currently provides a guideline of 22 to 28 working days.
Express is significantly faster.
DHL Express Worldwide currently quotes approximately [price] for Gabon 3 business days for important destinations.
This makes the difference between Standard and Express particularly large.
For goods subject to customs duties, remote destination regions, or additional import checks, actual delivery may take longer.
Write the address for Gabon correctly
DHL requires addresses written in Latin letters and Arabic numerals.
The destination country should be specified as follows, for example:
GABON / GABON
The recipient's phone number and email address should also be provided.
This allows the carrier to contact you directly in case of questions or delivery problems.
Compare shipping costs to Gabon
The price depends on the specific shipment.
Key factors include, for example:
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Volumetric weight
- destination
- Type of goods
- Runtime
- Carrier
Via the <strong>integrated datalog</strong> the measuring values can be stored on the humimeter RH5 paper moisture meter and additional data can be added. You also have the possibility to use the Autolog function. This function automatically saves measuring values in adjustable time intervals. Shipping cost calculator from Paket International Companies can compare available transport options.
These points often cause delays in shipping to Gabon.
When shipping to Gabon, it's not enough to just prepare the actual customs declaration.
Several additional requirements may be relevant.
Typical problems include:
- missing or faulty BIETC
- incomplete commercial invoice
- general product description
- incorrect customs tariff number
- missing Certificate of Origin
- missing import permit
- missing proof of conformity
- incomplete recipient data
For certain regulated products, a Certificate of Conformity are required for operation.
This applies to goods that fall under the Gabonese conformity program. Product documentation, test reports, and possibly an inspection may be required.
Agricultural products, meat and poultry may also require import permits and health certificates.
Additional approval procedures also apply to hazardous products such as certain chemicals.
What goods are delivered from Germany to Gabon?
Gabon has a relatively resource-rich economy, but imports a large part of its machinery, technical equipment and consumer goods.
The following product groups may be of particular interest to German companies:
- Machines and machine components
- Spare parts
- Tools
- Electrical Engineering
- Measurement and testing technology
- car parts
- Medical Technology
- Industrial equipment
Especially for mining, energy, infrastructure and industrial applications, many specialized products are sourced from abroad.
Additional import requirements may apply to food, agricultural products, chemicals, or radio technology.
You can find more international shipping destinations in our Country overview.
Shipping information: Gabon
When is it worth taking an express train to Gabon?
In Gabon, the difference between standard and express delivery times is particularly noticeable.
For less urgent goods, a traditional parcel service can be used.
However, the standard delivery time with DHL is currently approximately 22 to 28 working days.
Therefore, for spare parts, production materials or time-critical business shipments, a Express shipping to Gabon to be interesting.
DHL Express estimates approximately three working days for major destinations.
For larger or heavier goods, a Pallet shipping or individual freight solutions might be more economical.
You can find an overview at international shipping methods.
How do goods get from Germany to Gabon?
Air transport plays an important role in parcel and express shipments.
Libreville is the central destination for international courier and air freight connections.
For larger quantities of goods, maritime transport is particularly relevant.
The port area of Owendo near Libreville is one of the country's important transshipment hubs.
Port-Gentil also plays an important role for certain goods and industrial flows.
For sea freight, the BIETC should be included in the document process at an early stage.
For larger machines, systems, or multiple pallets, a individual freight solution be useful.
What import costs might arise in Gabon?
Several duties may apply to commercial imports.
Depending on the product, this includes:
- 5, 10, 20 or 30% import duty according to the CEMAC tariff
- 18% VAT
- Excise tax (if applicable)
- regional or administrative taxes
- BIETC costs
- Carrier and customs clearance fees
Therefore, the final price should not be calculated solely based on the customs duty rate.
Especially with DDP offers, all import costs should be checked before booking.
You can find general basic information in our guide to Customs and import duties.
How much does a package to Gabon cost?
The shipping price depends on the specific shipment.
A small express parcel to Libreville is charged differently than several heavy boxes or a pallet.
The following are particularly important:
- Weight
- Volumetric weight
- Dimensions
- Destination address
- desired duration
- Type of goods
- Carrier
Additionally, potential customs duties, VAT and clearance costs should be taken into account.
Current shipping options can be viewed via the Shipping cost calculator be compared.
Online trade to Gabon: Making import costs transparent
For online retailers, it is particularly important that additional import costs do not unexpectedly appear only upon delivery.
In the case of a DAP shipment, the recipient is generally responsible for import clearance and the associated costs.
These can include, among other things:
- Import duty
- 18% VAT
- Handling fees
- possible product-specific taxes
If a DDP solution is to be offered, it should first be checked whether the carrier and import configuration allow this.
For regulated products, the additional question arises as to whether a Certificate of Conformity or an import license is required.
You can find more information about the delivery terms at DAP and DDP.
Why CEMAC membership is important for shipping to Gabon
Gabon does not form its customs system entirely on its own.
The country is part of:
- Cameroon
- Equatorial Guinea
- Republic of the Congo
- Chad
- Central African Republic
to CEMAC.
Within this economic and monetary union, there is a common customs system.
For goods from Germany, the common external tariff is particularly relevant.
Goods are typically classified into different groups with customs duties of 5, 10, 20 or 30 percent.
This makes the correct customs tariff number particularly important.
Unlike Cameroon, Gabon does not currently apply a corresponding bilateral economic partnership agreement with the European Union.
Therefore, shipping from Germany does not automatically result in a reduced CEMAC customs duty rate.
Which carrier is suitable for Gabon?
When shipping to Gabon, price should not be the only factor considered.
The difference in delivery times can be significant.
The following should be compared:
- Shipping price
- Runtime
- Customs service
- BIETC settlement
- Weight limits
- maximum dimensions
- Tracking
- Target region
For urgent B2B shipments, express shipping can be significantly more attractive.
For less time-critical goods, cheaper parcel or freight solutions may be more suitable.
Paket International allows companies to compare available services for their specific shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping
Can I send a package from Germany to Gabon?
Yes. Parcels, express shipments, and business shipments can be sent from Germany to Gabon. Since Gabon is not a member of the European Union, appropriate customs information is required.
How long does it take for a package to Gabon to arrive?
DHL Parcel currently estimates delivery times of 22 to 28 business days. DHL Express Worldwide typically reaches major destinations within approximately three business days.
What is the VAT rate in Gabon?
The standard VAT rate is 18 percent. Reduced rates or tax exemptions apply to certain legally defined goods and sales.
What are the customs duties in Gabon?
Gabon uses the common CEMAC external tariff. Typical tariff levels are 5, 10, 20, and 30 percent. The specific rate depends on the customs tariff number of the goods.
What is the BIETC in Gabon?
BIETC stands for Bordereau d'Identification Électronique de Traçabilité des Cargaisons. It is an electronic document for recording and tracking freight to and from Gabon.
Do I also need BIETC for air freight?
Gabon also uses the BIETC for air freight. The Gabonese Shippers' Council lists the required documents as an air waybill, supplier invoice, freight invoice, and packing list. For express shipments, it should be checked whether the carrier accepts this procedure.
What documents do I need for Gabon?
Depending on the transport route, a commercial invoice, transport document, certificate of origin, and export document are required. Additionally, BIETC, import licenses, or certificates of conformity may be necessary.
Is there a trade agreement between Gabon and the EU?
Gabon is not currently applying the interim Economic Partnership Agreement that exists between the EU and Cameroon. Therefore, goods from Germany should not automatically be considered to be eligible for EU tariff preferences.
Can I ship DDP to Gabon?
DDP may be possible depending on the carrier, goods, and import situation. Before booking, the importer, customs clearance, BIETC, and any necessary product approvals should be clarified.
Who pays the customs duties in Gabon for DAP?
Under DAP, the recipient is generally responsible for import clearance as well as any applicable customs duties, VAT and other import costs.
Which goods require special permits?
Additional permits may be required, particularly for agricultural products, meat and poultry, weapons, explosives, and certain chemicals. A Certificate of Conformity may also be required for regulated products.
In which language must the customs declaration be completed?
DHL specifies French as an acceptable language for customs declarations for shipments to Gabon. The address should be written in Latin letters and Arabic numerals.
