Sending a package to Guinea-Bissau: Customs, transit time and import
From Germany to Bissau: What companies should consider when shipping
Guinea-Bissau lies on the West African Atlantic coast between Senegal and Guinea. Despite the similar names, different import regulations apply there than in the Republic of Guinea. For German companies, Guinea-Bissau is primarily an attractive import market for machinery, technical equipment, spare parts, and consumer goods.
- Shipping from Germany to Guinea-Bissau
- Parcel, express and freight solutions
- Shipping to Bissau and other regions
- International shipment tracking
- ECOWAS customs tariff must be taken into account
- Include 19% VAT in your calculations.
- ASYCUDAWorld since 2026
- Solutions for B2B and industrial shipments
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Guinea-Bissau is digitizing its customs clearance
The value of the goods, country of origin, exact product description and customs tariff number should be determined before collection.
Since January 2026, electronic customs clearance has been handled nationwide via ASYCUDAWorld. The system is used at locations including the port of Bissau, the international airport, and several land-based customs offices.
Don't confuse Guinea-Bissau and Guinea.
Guinea-Bissau is an independent state with Bissau as its capital. The official language is Portuguese. Its customs and tax regulations differ from those of the neighboring Republic of Guinea.
Take new VAT rules into account
A new value-added tax (VAT) system has been in effect since January 1, 2025. The standard VAT rate is 19 percent. A reduced rate of 10 percent applies to certain goods.
Carefully determine the customs tariff number
Guinea-Bissau is a member of ECOWAS. The common external tariff generally operates with tariff levels of 0, 5, 10, 20 and 35 percent.
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Important information about customs and import duties
DAP or DDP to Guinea-Bissau: Who handles the import?
Before a business shipment, it should be determined who will organize the import clearance.
For DAP The seller will arrange transport to the agreed destination.
The recipient generally bears the following costs:
- Customs clearance
- Import duty
- VAT
- additional import costs
- Possible costs of a customs agent
For DDP In contrast, the seller assumes the agreed import costs and further obligations.
DDP should only be offered to Guinea-Bissau if the following has been clarified beforehand:
- who acts as a local importer
- who handles the ASYCUDAWorld registration
- Which customs duty rate applies?
- which VAT rate applies
- whether special permits are required
Especially for regular B2B shipments, a fixed import and customs structure is therefore recommended instead of being surprised by bureaucracy every time a package arrives.
What are the customs duties in Guinea-Bissau?
Guinea-Bissau is a member of ECOWAS and uses its Common External Tariff.
The common external tariff distinguishes five main categories:
- 0% for certain basic social goods
- 5% for basic necessities, raw materials and certain capital goods
- 10% for intermediate products and industrial inputs
- 20% for numerous finished goods
- 35% for certain specially protected goods
ECOWAS continues to confirm these five tariff levels as the basis for the common external tariff.
The actual customs duty rate to be applied depends on the specific customs tariff number.
The WTO indicates an average applied MFN tariff rate of approximately [missing information] for Guinea-Bissau in 2024. 12 percent However, this average value never replaces checking the specific HS code.
What value-added tax (VAT) applies in Guinea-Bissau?
Since 1 January 2025 A new VAT system is in effect in Guinea-Bissau.
It replaced the previous general sales tax.
The regular rate is:
19% VAT / IVA
In addition, a reduced rate applies to certain basic necessities and defined imports:
10%
The introduction of the tax on January 1, 2025, was officially set by the Guinean-Bissau Ministry of Finance. The International Monetary Fund has confirmed a statutory standard rate of 19 percent for 2026.
VAT: regular 19%
ASYCUDAWorld: the most important change to customs in 2026
Since 26 January 2026 Guinea-Bissau uses ASYCUDAWorld nationwide.
This replaced the older ASYCUDA++ system.
The new electronic system is being launched, among other things:
- Port of Bissau
- Bissau International Airport
- S Do Domingos
- Gabu
- Bafatá
The customs administration can use this system to digitally process registrations, controls, documents and import procedures.
Further interfaces to the customs systems of the neighboring countries Senegal, Guinea and Gambia are also planned.
For companies, this means:
Digital and fully prepared shipment data is becoming increasingly important for shipments to Guinea-Bissau.
Shipping to Guinea-Bissau: small in the market, especially in terms of logistics
With just over two million inhabitants, Guinea-Bissau is one of the smaller markets in West Africa.
The country is a member of ECOWAS and also part of the West African Economic and Monetary Union UEMOA or UMOA.
This also means that the West African CFA franc is used. The BCEAO continues to list Guinea-Bissau as one of the eight member states of the monetary union.
For German companies, the market is particularly interesting where technical products and imported capital goods are needed.
What documents do I need for Guinea-Bissau?
For a commercial delivery of goods, the following should be prepared in particular:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing List
- Air Waybill or Bill of Lading
- detailed product description
- HS code
- cart value
- Country of origin
- Import permits may be required.
A commercial invoice is used for the sale of goods.
In cases of free samples or warranty replacements, a pro forma invoice may be useful, depending on the process.
How does customs clearance work?
Since 2026, customs declarations have been made electronically via ASYCUDAWorld.
The system enables, among other things:
- electronic customs declarations
- Examination of goods and documents
- Customs valuation control
- Tax calculation
- Monitoring of imports
For express and air freight shipments, further special modules will be integrated into the system.
Especially with regular exports, it is therefore worthwhile to neatly store article and customs data in the merchandise management system.
Are there any customs advantages for goods from the EU?
Caution is advisable here.
Guinea-Bissau has signed the regional economic partnership agreement between West Africa and the European Union.
The full regional agreement is still not fully in force. The EU currently lists Guinea-Bissau with the status "signed, awaiting signature from all parties".
Therefore:
A reduced import duty should not automatically be assumed for goods from Germany.
As a developing country, Guinea-Bissau enjoys special export preferences to the EU. However, this does not automatically mean that German exports to Guinea-Bissau receive the same benefits.
How long does it take for a package to arrive in Guinea-Bissau?
DHL Parcel currently states a delivery time estimate of:
10 to 16 working days.
For DHL Express Worldwide, the current 2026 table for Guinea-Bissau shows approximately:
7 business days
for key target areas.
The actual duration also depends on:
- Customs clearance
- Recipient address
- Type of goods
- local forwarding
.
Portuguese instead of French
One major difference compared to the neighboring Republic of Guinea is the language.
The official language of Guinea-Bissau is Portuguese.
DHL currently accepts the following for the customs declaration:
- portugiesisch
- French
For additional local documents, Portuguese is therefore the obvious choice.
A precise product description is still more important than linguistic elegance.
Instead of:
“Peças”
better:
“Carcaça de bomba em aço inoxidável para sistema industrial de agua”
This way, the product, material, and intended use are identifiable.
How to correctly enter the address for Guinea-Bissau
DHL requires Latin letters and Arabic numerals.
An example address is:
Empresa Exemplo Lda.
Rua Justino Lopes 12C
1000 BISSAU
GUINEA-BISSAU
For example, DHL uses the postal code for Bissau. 1000The recipient's phone number and email address should also be provided.
Arrange pickup directly at the company
Especially with regular business shipments, packages do not need to be individually taken to a collection point.
About the Collection from the warehouse or company location International shipping can be directly integrated into the operational process.
After handover, the shipment can be tracked via the International parcel tracking will continue to be monitored.
These mistakes should be avoided when shipping to Guinea-Bissau.
The country name itself provides the first potential source of error.
Guinea-Bissau should not be confused with either Guinea or Equatorial Guinea.
Other typical problems include:
- Incorrect destination country in the shipping order
- Inaccurate product description
- incorrect HS code
- 19% VAT not included
- EU customs preference wrongly assumed
- Import permit not clarified in advance
- incomplete recipient details
- Delivery time calculated too short
For sensitive or regulated products, import eligibility should be clarified with the recipient or their customs agent before collection.
A complete phone number is also surprisingly helpful for international shipments. People can sometimes still reach each other faster by phone than via a customs form.
What goods are imported into Guinea-Bissau?
Guinea-Bissau has only a small industrial base. Many everyday and commercial goods are therefore imported.
According to UNCTAD data, goods imports in 2024 amounted to approximately... $ 487 million, while exports reached approximately 246 million US dollars.
The following goods may be of particular interest to German companies:
- Machines and spare parts
- Electrical Engineering
- Pumps and water technology
- Tools
- Solar and energy technology
- car parts
- Medical Technology
- Measurement and testing technology
- commercial equipment
Machine components for agriculture and food processing may also be of interest.
For larger or heavier goods, a comparison with Shipping solutions for large packages or a freight solution.
Shipping information: Guinea-Bissau
Which shipping method is suitable for Guinea-Bissau?
For normal cardboard boxes and less time-critical business goods, an international parcel service may be sufficient.
The standard delivery time for DHL is currently 10 to 16 working days.
Express shipping can be interesting for urgent spare parts.
For larger machine components, multiple boxes, or heavy goods, it should be checked whether a parcel service is still economical.
Alternatively Pallet shipping or individual freight solutions are possible.
Bissau is the central gateway for international goods
Bissau International Airport is the main access point for air and express shipments.
Larger quantities of goods predominantly enter the country via the port of Bissau.
The importance of the sea route is particularly great, as Guinea-Bissau is heavily dependent on foreign trade.
UNCTAD estimates merchandise imports for 2024 at approximately 487 million US dollars.
The port of Bissau remains a central component of the national logistics chain.
For large deliveries, machinery, or heavy components, a international freight shipping would be the more sensible solution.
What import costs can arise in Guinea-Bissau?
Several cost components can come together during an import.
Depending on the product, this includes:
- 0, 5, 10, 20 or 35% import duty according to the ECOWAS tariff
- 19% regular VAT
- 10% reduced VAT for certain goods
- Possibly further regional or national taxes
- possible excise taxes
- Customs broker and clearance costs
According to the WTO, the average MFN tariff applied in 2024 was around 12 percent.
However, the specific customs tariff number is always decisive for a particular shipment.
How much does a package to Guinea-Bissau cost?
Shipping costs depend on the specific shipment.
Sending a small box to Bissau requires a different calculation than sending several heavy spare parts or a pallet.
Important factors are:
- Weight
- Volumetric weight
- Dimensions
- destination
- Type of goods
- Shipping speed
- Carrier
For bulky goods, a comparison with Shipping solutions for large packages worth it.
Online trade to Guinea-Bissau: Explain import costs beforehand
For B2C shipments, the customer should not only find out about customs duties and taxes upon delivery.
In addition to the price of goods and shipping, the following may apply to DAP deliveries:
- Import duty
- 19% VAT
- other local taxes
- Carrier or customs clearance fees
For goods with a reduced VAT rate, the tax may be lower.
Online retailers should therefore communicate as transparently as possible:
- who pays import duties
- what approximate runtime can be expected
- which recipient data is required
- whether a product is subject to import restrictions
After shipping, the status can be checked via the Cross-carrier tracking be followed.
2026 marks a turning point for customs in Guinea-Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau fundamentally modernized its customs system at the beginning of the year.
Am 26 January 2026 ASYCUDAWorld was officially launched.
The system replaces ASYCUDA++ and is now running at all computerized customs offices in the country.
The aim is to:
- Customs declarations are increasingly digitized
- Controls carried out more efficiently
- Making processing procedures more transparent
- Better data exchange between authorities
.
In addition, interfaces with the customs systems of Senegal, Guinea and Gambia are to be established in the future.
This means that Guinea-Bissau 2026 differs significantly from older country information, which still describes the earlier ASYCUDA++ method.
VAT is also relatively new.
The current VAT rate has only been in effect since January 2025.
The standard rate is 19 percent and is based on the harmonized model of the UEMOA.
Anyone using old import information may therefore be working with outdated data in both the customs system and with taxes.
Which carrier is suitable for Guinea-Bissau?
When shipping, the following points should be compared in particular:
- Shipping price
- Runtime
- Customs service
- Weight limits
- maximum dimensions
- Tracking
- Insurance
- Target region
DHL Parcel currently states a standard delivery time of 10 to 16 working days.
DHL Express Worldwide indicates a delivery time of approximately seven working days for key destinations.
For larger B2B deliveries, pallet and freight services should also be compared.
Paket International allows you to select the appropriate carrier and transport solution depending on the shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping
Can I send a package from Germany to Guinea-Bissau?
Yes. Packages and business goods can be sent from Germany to Guinea-Bissau. Since the country is outside the EU, complete customs information is required.
How long does it take for a package to arrive in Guinea-Bissau?
DHL Parcel currently estimates a delivery time of 10 to 16 working days. DHL Express Worldwide indicates approximately seven working days for key destinations.
What is the value-added tax (VAT) rate in Guinea-Bissau?
The standard VAT rate is 19 percent. A reduced rate of 10 percent applies to certain basic necessities and selected imports.
Since when has the new VAT rate been in effect?
VAT was introduced on January 1, 2025, replacing the previous system of general sales tax.
What are the customs duties in Guinea-Bissau?
Guinea-Bissau uses the ECOWAS Common External Tariff with tariff levels of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 35 percent. The specific customs duty depends on the customs tariff number of the goods.
What is ASYCUDAWorld?
ASYCUDAWorld is Guinea-Bissau's electronic customs system. It was introduced nationwide in January 2026 and is used for customs declarations, controls, and digital import processing.
Is there a free trade agreement with the EU?
Guinea-Bissau has signed the regional Economic Partnership Agreement between West Africa and the EU. However, it is not yet fully in force regionally. Therefore, preferential tariffs should not automatically be expected for German goods.
Do I need a EUR.1 note for Guinea-Bissau?
For normal goods exports from Germany, there is currently no generally applicable EU preferential regulation that would automatically result in a reduced import duty in Guinea-Bissau for an EUR.1 certificate.
What documents do I need?
Typically, a commercial invoice, transport document, goods description, goods value, customs tariff number, and country of origin are required. Depending on the product, additional permits or certificates may be necessary.
Which language should I use for the customs declaration?
DHL accepts Portuguese and French for Guinea-Bissau. Portuguese is the official language of the country.
Is Guinea-Bissau the same as Guinea?
No. Guinea-Bissau and Guinea They are two independent states. Guinea-Bissau has the capital Bissau and Portuguese as its official language. Guinea has the capital Conakry and French as its official language.
Can I ship pallets or machinery to Guinea-Bissau?
Yes. For larger or heavier commercial goods, pallet, air freight, or sea freight solutions can be used. The necessary customs and import documents should be clarified before collection.
