Sending a package to Mauritania: Customs, VAT and delivery time
From Germany to Nouakchott or Nouadhibou: How to properly prepare business shipments
Mauritania lies between North and West Africa and has a long Atlantic coastline. For German companies, the country is particularly attractive for machinery, mining equipment, vehicle technology, energy systems, and industrial spare parts.
- Shipping from Germany to Mauritania
- Parcel, express and freight solutions
- Shipping to Nouakchott and Nouadhibou
- Prepare customs and shipping data digitally
- Regularly, 16% VAT must be taken into account.
- Check customs duty rate according to HS code
- Allow 1% for statistical import tax.
- Clarify inspection and import documents in advance
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In Mauritania, complete documents are particularly important.
For a business shipment, the goods description, HS code, value of goods and origin should be determined before collection.
In addition, shippers should check early on whether an inspection, approval or an additional certificate is required for the specific goods.
Calculate 16% VAT
The standard VAT rate in Mauritania is 16 percent. This tax also plays an important role in the import of taxable goods.
Customs tariffs cannot be estimated as a lump sum.
Currently, depending on the product and customs procedure, customs duties of 0, 5, 13, 20, and 22 percent, among others, are applied. The specific tariff classification determines the applicable rate.
Check inspection requirements before shipping
Current Mauritanian import requirements stipulate pre-shipment or quality control and a corresponding inspection certificate for commercial goods.
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Important information about customs and import duties
DAP or DDP to Mauritania: Clarify import costs beforehand
For business deliveries, it should be determined who will handle import clearance before booking.
For DAP The seller organizes the transport to the agreed destination.
The recipient generally assumes:
- Import clearance
- Import duty
- 16% VAT
- statistical import duty
- Excise taxes, if applicable
- Inspection and approval costs
- Customs broker fees
For DDP In contrast, the seller assumes the agreed import costs and further obligations.
Therefore, at least the following should be checked before making a binding DDP offer:
- HS code
- Customs duty
- Customs value
- VAT
- further import duties
- Importer registration
- Inspection requirements
A Landed Cost Calculation This helps to consider transport and import costs together.
What is the import duty in Mauritania?
Customs duties depend on the type of goods.
Current tax overviews list, in particular, the following Mauritanian import duty rates:
- 0%
- 5%
- 13%
- 20%
- 22%
Which rate actually applies depends on the specific customs tariff number and the customs procedure used.
Additionally, a following is generally required:
statistical import tax of 1%
mentioned.
Additional duties or special regulations may apply to certain goods.
Therefore, the specific tariff item should always be used for the actual calculation.
An average value for the entire country is about as helpful for a real customs invoice as the average shoe size is when ordering new work shoes.
The CIF value is important
Import duties are not necessarily calculated solely on the invoiced value.
Also:
- cart value
- Transport
- Insurance
may be relevant for the applicable CIF or customs value.
For more information, please visit Calculate customs value correctly.
What is the value-added tax (VAT) rate in Mauritania?
The Mauritanian value added tax is called:
Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée, TVA for short.
The standard tax rate is:
16%
It generally applies to taxable deliveries and also plays an important role in the import of goods.
Special tax regulations may apply to individual products.
In addition to VAT, the following may also apply, depending on the goods:
- Import duty
- statistical import duty
- Excise taxes
- other statutory charges
Therefore, DDP should not simply be a 16 percent surcharge added to the invoice amount.
VAT (regular): 16%
ASYCUDA and RTU: Mauritania digitizes its customs processes
Mauritania uses an electronic ASYCUDA system for its customs clearance.
According to current information, the system is in use at numerous customs offices throughout the country.
This also includes specialized customs offices for areas such as:
- Mining
- Fishing
- Hydrocarbons
- Nouadhibou Free Zone
Additionally, there is the following:
RTU
a single-window approach for various non-customs duties and taxes.
Importers must be registered.
For larger commercial importers, the following may be particularly relevant:
- Registration as importer
- tax identification number (NIF)
be relevant.
For German shippers, this means:
The recipient should have confirmed their eligibility to import the goods before collection.
Digital and consistent shipping data then simplifies processing.
You can learn more about this principle at Paperless trade in international shipping.
Sending a package to Mauritania: What companies should know beforehand
Mauritania connects North Africa with the Sahel region and also has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Economically, a large part of the formal business activity is concentrated on:
- Nouakchott
- Nouadhibou
- the country's raw material regions
Nouakchott is the capital and most important trading center.
Nouadhibou plays a major role, especially for fishing, mining and foreign trade.
What documents do I need for Mauritania?
For commercial imports, the following are typically required:
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
- Proof of origin or Certificate of Origin
- HS code
- cart value
- packing list (if applicable)
- Import permit (if applicable)
- Inspection certificate (if applicable)
The commercial invoice should include, in particular:
- Name and address of seller and buyer
- Date of invoice
- Shipping method
- Quantity
- precise product description
- Price of goods
- Delivery
- Terms of payment
A commercial invoice is used for a normal sale of goods.
For free samples, warranty replacements, or other shipments without a traditional sale, a pro forma invoice may be useful depending on the process.
Further information can be found at How to correctly use a pro forma invoice at customs.
What does the pre-shipment check mean?
One important difference compared to many other shipping destinations is the inspection requirement.
The current import information for Mauritania lists:
Pre-Shipment Inspection and Quality Control.
In particular, one of the following will be:
Certificate of Inspection
referred to as an import document.
SGS is listed as the testing company.
Therefore, companies should clarify the following before shipping:
- whether the specific goods are subject to inspection
- who commissions the inspection
- which documents the examiner needs
- whether the certificate must be presented before collection
Anyone who only discovers this inspection after the goods have arrived has created an otherwise avoidable customs stoppage.
Is there a free trade agreement between Mauritania and the EU?
Currently, there is no mutually applied free trade agreement that automatically grants normal German goods a reduced import duty in Mauritania.
Mauritania has indeed signed the regional West Africa Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.
However, the regional agreement will not be fully in force until 2026.
Therefore, preferential tariffs should not automatically be expected for a normal shipment from Germany.
What does Everything But Arms mean for Mauritania?
Mauritania is currently among the beneficiaries of the EU initiative:
Everything But Arms, EBA for short.
This regulation allows qualified goods originating in Mauritania largely duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market.
Weapons and ammunition are excluded.
Important for German exporters:
EBA applies in the direction of Mauritania → EU and not automatically in the opposite direction.
A German machine therefore does not receive a more favorable customs duty when imported into Mauritania solely because of its EU origin.
Do I need a EUR.1 note for Mauritania?
Currently, no general bilateral EU preference can be used for a normal German export to Mauritania.
An EUR.1 certificate therefore does not automatically lead to a reduced Mauritanian import duty.
The importer should calculate the duties based on the current national customs tariff number.
How long does it take for a package to arrive in Mauritania?
DHL Parcel currently states a delivery time estimate of:
8 to 16 working days.
Express is significantly faster.
DHL Express Worldwide currently reports approximately the following for key destination areas:
3 working days in the main run
.
For goods subject to customs duties, additional time must be allowed for customs clearance.
Therefore, for a typical express shipment of goods, the following costs can be expected:
4 business days
to be used as a guideline.
The actual delivery time depends on factors such as the destination, type of goods, and customs inspection.
Use French customs declaration
DHL lists only the following for Mauritania:
French
as a permissible language for the customs declaration.
A precise description is therefore particularly important.
Not:
“Pièces de machine”
but for example:
“Corps de pumpe en acier inoxidable pour installation industrial de traitement d'eau”
This makes the product, material, and intended use clearly identifiable.
Write the correct address for Mauritania
DHL requires Latin letters and Arabic numerals.
Post office box addresses are common in Mauritania.
One possible format is:
M. Mohamed Ould Ahmed
BP 250
NOUAKCHOTT
MAURITANIA
The recipient's phone number and email address should also be provided.
This makes it easier to get in touch with customs and delivery questions.
Automatically import recurring customs data
Spare parts and machinery are often exported repeatedly.
Then information such as:
- item Description
- HS code
- Origin
- Weight
- cart value
Ideally, the data should not be entered manually for every order.
Over a SAP shipping interface or other ERP connections allow such data to be more strongly integrated into the shipping process.
These errors are delaying shipments to Mauritania
In the case of Mauritania, it is not enough to simply check whether a commercial invoice exists.
The crucial factor is whether the entire import chain has been prepared.
Typical problems include:
- Inspection request not checked
- Certificate of Inspection missing
- Importer not properly registered
- NIF or importer data is missing
- The product description is too general.
- HS code was incorrectly determined
- The value of the goods cannot be verified.
- Import permit is missing
Precisely because various authorities, customs offices and testing procedures may be involved, the invoice and shipping data should match exactly.
For regular exports, it can be useful to standardize these checks.
You can find out more at Automate shipping documents and reduce errors.
What goods are imported into Mauritania?
Mauritania's economy is heavily influenced by raw material extraction, fishing, and increasingly, energy projects.
This creates opportunities for German companies in the area of technical and industrial products.
The following may be of particular interest:
- Machines and production facilities
- Mining equipment
- Machine spare parts
- Pumps and water technology
- Measurement and testing technology
- Electrical Engineering
- Vehicle and commercial vehicle parts
- Solar and wind energy technology
- Cooling and refrigeration technology
- Workshop and maintenance equipment
The mining sector needs, among other things, equipment for iron, gold and future uranium projects.
The LNG exports that started in 2025 and other energy projects are also creating demand for:
- Automation systems
- Measuring systems
- Water treatment
- Power Supply
- Maintenance and operational technology
For technically complex goods, the HS code should be determined before shipment.
You can find out more at Determine the correct customs tariff number.
Shipping information: Mauritania
Standard, express or freight to Mauritania?
A standard package can be used for smaller and less time-critical business shipments.
DHL Parcel currently states:
8 to 16 working days.
For urgent spare parts or production materials, express delivery can be significantly faster.
DHL Express Worldwide typically states a delivery time of approximately three working days for key destinations during the main transit.
For machinery, pallets, or larger quantities of goods, air and sea freight solutions are also relevant.
For large B2B goods, you can find further information at international freight shipping.
Nouakchott and Nouadhibou are the most important trading hubs
Unlike several states in the Sahel region, Mauritania has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean.
For larger quantities of goods, two locations are particularly important:
Nouakchott
and:
Nouadhibou.
The Port de l'Amitié in Nouakchott processes, among other things:
- Containers
- General cargo
- bulk material
- Liquid goods
Nouadhibou is particularly closely associated with:
- Mining
- Fishing
- Industry
connected.
Current trade data shows that about half of the imported goods enter the country via the ports of Nouakchott or Nouadhibou and are then distributed by truck.
Therefore, for machinery and cargo, it should be clarified before shipping which port is suitable for the actual recipient region.
What import costs might arise in Mauritania?
An import can consist of several cost components.
Depending on the product, the following may be included:
- 0, 5, 13, 20 or 22% import duty
- 16% VAT
- 1% statistical import tax
- Excise taxes, if applicable
- Inspection costs may apply.
- Customs broker fees
- Carrier and handling fees
Not every shipment is subject to all of the aforementioned taxes.
Special tariffs or other tax rules may also apply to certain goods.
Therefore, the specific HS code and the current customs procedure should always be checked.
How much does a parcel to Mauritania cost?
The shipping price depends in particular on:
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Volumetric weight
- destination
- Shipping service
- Type of goods
- Carrier
Additional freight or special handling costs may apply for machinery and larger spare parts.
For light but large boxes, the volumetric weight can determine the transport price.
We explain how carriers calculate this value below. Understanding and calculating volumetric weight.
Online trade to Mauritania: Explaining import costs transparently
For online retailers, Mauritania is a classic third-country destination.
In addition to the price of the goods and shipping, the customer may incur the following costs:
- Import duty
- 16% VAT
- statistical import duty
- further product-specific taxes
- Handling fees
A general EU-IOSS regulation does not apply in Mauritania.
A blanket import exemption for goods of low value should not be promised without verification.
Therefore, it is advisable for shops to communicate any additional costs as transparently as possible.
For more information, please visit Display shipping and import costs at checkout.
Mining, gas and renewable energies are changing Mauritania's import needs
Mauritania possesses large raw material reserves and is currently investing heavily in its industrial infrastructure.
Particularly relevant are:
- Iron ore
- Gold
- Natural gas
- Fishing
- wind and solar energy
- future hydrogen projects
The joint Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project has been exporting LNG for the first time since 2025.
At the same time, the mining sector is investing in:
- Rail infrastructure
- Port capacities
- processing technology
- Energy supply
- water technology
This creates concrete opportunities for German suppliers of capital goods.
Modern methods are also being used in fishing:
- Cooling systems
- Traceability systems
- Processing technology
- Solar cooling solutions
thats it!
This makes Mauritania more interesting for technical B2B exports than its relatively small population would initially suggest.
Which carrier is suitable for Mauritania?
Several factors should be compared when shipping:
- Price
- Runtime
- Customs service
- Insurance
- Tracking
- Weight limits
- maximum package dimensions
- Target region
DHL Parcel currently states a delivery time of 8 to 16 working days.
Additional insurance is not currently offered for DHL Parcel International to Mauritania.
Bulky goods are also currently unavailable with this service.
For high-value, large, or time-critical B2B shipments, it should therefore be checked whether express or another carrier is a better fit for the specific goods.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping
Can I send a package from Germany to Mauritania?
Yes. Parcels, express shipments, and business goods can be sent from Germany to Mauritania. Since Mauritania is outside the EU, complete customs information is required.
How long does it take for a package to arrive in Mauritania?
DHL Parcel currently estimates a delivery time of 8 to 16 business days. DHL Express Worldwide indicates approximately three business days for the main route to key destinations. Additional processing time should be allowed for goods subject to customs duties.
What is the value-added tax (VAT) rate in Mauritania?
The standard VAT rate is 16 percent. Imported goods may also be subject to import duties, statistical import taxes, and potentially other taxes.
What are the customs duties in Mauritania?
Customs duties depend on the specific goods and the customs procedure. Current tax overviews list rates of 0, 5, 13, 20, and 22 percent in particular.
Are there any additional import duties?
Yes. In addition to customs duties and VAT, a statistical import levy of 1 percent is generally charged. Depending on the goods, excise taxes and other fees may also apply.
What is the pre-shipment inspection?
Current Mauritanian regulations for commercial imports stipulate pre-shipment inspection and quality control. A Certificate of Inspection may be required. The specific requirements should be verified for each item before shipment.
What is ASYCUDA in Mauritania?
ASYCUDA is the electronic customs system used at numerous Mauritanian customs offices for processing import and export transactions.
Is there a free trade agreement between Mauritania and the EU?
The regional West Africa Economic Partnership Agreement was signed by Mauritania, but will not be fully in force until 2026. Therefore, EU preferential tariffs should not automatically be expected for ordinary German goods.
What does Everything But Arms mean for Mauritania?
Everything But Arms grants qualified originating products from Mauritania largely duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union. This rule does not automatically apply in the opposite direction to German exports to Mauritania.
Do I need a EUR.1 note for Mauritania?
For a normal German shipment, there is currently no generally applicable reciprocal EU preference that would automatically result in a more favorable Mauritanian import duty for an EUR.1.
Which language should I use for the customs declaration?
DHL specifies French as an acceptable language for the customs declaration for shipments to Mauritania.
What documents do I need for Mauritania?
Typically, a commercial invoice, transport document, origin information, and complete product information are required. Depending on the product, a packing list, import permit, certificate of origin, and an inspection certificate may also be necessary.
