Documents required to import into Senegal

A practical checklist for importers and overseas forwarders shipping to Dakar. Most clearance delays at the port come from a missing or inconsistent document, not from customs itself.

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Applies to: Commercial imports into Senegal
Customs system: GAINDE
Currency for duties: XOF (CFA franc)
Updated: September 2026
Read time: About 5 minutes

Checklist

The core documents for every shipment

These documents are needed for almost every commercial import. Names, values and quantities must match across all of them.

Document	Provided by	Why it matters
Commercial invoice	Supplier	Basis of the customs value. Must show value, currency, Incoterm, description and ideally HS codes.
Packing list	Supplier	Number of packages, weights and dimensions. Used for inspection and for checking the manifest.
Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air)	Carrier or forwarder at origin	Proves who the goods belong to. The consignee must match the importer.
Electronic cargo tracking note (BSC)	Shipper or forwarder at origin	Required for sea shipments to Senegal. Obtain it before loading to avoid penalties.
Importer NINEA	Consignee in Senegal	Tax identification of the importing company, needed for the declaration.
Insurance certificate	Shipper or buyer	Used for the CIF value. Without it, customs applies a standard insurance amount.

Rules change and some products have extra requirements. We confirm the exact list for each shipment before departure.

Depending on the goods

Extra documents for specific products

Origin

Certificate of origin

Needed when a preferential rate is claimed, for example on goods originating from ECOWAS or WAEMU countries.

Regulated

Permits and authorisations

Medicines, medical devices, food, plants, chemicals and telecoms equipment need an authorisation or certificate from the relevant authority, before shipping.

Exemption

Exemption documents

Projects, NGOs and institutions that benefit from a duty exemption must provide the supporting decision or agreement before clearance.

Avoid delays

The most common mistakes

Invoice value or quantities different from the packing list
Consignee name on the B/L different from the importer on the invoice
No HS codes, or vague descriptions such as "spare parts" or "various goods"
Cargo tracking note (BSC) missing for a sea shipment
Permit for regulated goods requested only after arrival

Our advice

Send us the draft invoice, packing list and B/L before the cargo leaves origin. We check them against each other and against Senegalese requirements. A correction costs nothing at origin and a lot at the port.

Send documents for a check

FAQ

Import document questions

Who needs a NINEA to import into Senegal?

Companies importing commercial goods into Senegal declare under their NINEA, the national tax identification number. Private individuals importing personal effects follow a different procedure.

Is the cargo tracking note (BSC) mandatory?

For sea shipments to Senegal, yes. It is normally obtained by the shipper or the forwarder at origin before loading. Missing it can lead to penalties at destination.

Can customs change the value on my invoice?

Customs can reassess the declared value if it looks inconsistent. A clear invoice with detailed descriptions and HS codes reduces that risk.

How long does clearance take once documents are complete?

When documents are complete and duties are paid on time, most files clear within a few working days of arrival. A physical inspection adds time.

An itemised quote, usually within 24 hours

Tell us the origin, destination and cargo. A coordinator in Dakar replies with a line-by-line price.

Request a quote Email the team