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For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below:
Ministry of Finance – Customs Agency’s website
4.1 Angola Government Contact List
A) Angolan import duty rates were adjusted in March 2014 as per Presidential Decree dated 30 January 2014 Rectification N. 1/14 are expected to be updated in 2017/18. The studies and execution of those reforms are under responsibility of the Admnistracao Geral Tributaria (AGT) which also supervises the Directorate for Customs Services responsible to ensure that Customs National Laws follows the agreed International and Regional recommendations subscribed by the Government Authorities.
According to my meeting with the Director for Customs Services the new Customs legislation is about to become official (Dec 2017/Jan 2018) and will introduce nationwide the Asycuda World system (currently on trial at Lobito port with positive feedback) for management of all processes and procedures of Customs activity via computerized network. Read more AGT Administracao Geral Tributaria - Asycuda World. Therefore, Angola to be within the framework of the Annex J-5 Revised Kyoto Convention.
B) If cargo imported by sea a broker prepares and submits the DU-Documento Unico, to the CNC (Conselho Nacional dos Carregadores Angolanos). The CNC is responsible to issue the “CNCA document and forward to their agent in the port of loading for verification (pre-inspection of cargo no longer mandatory). Thereafter the B/L number is inserted on the CNCA document signalling all ready for import shipment to proceed. This procedure is until now only mandatory for imports by sea however, the same procedure is expected to be implemented 2018 countrywide for all types of transportation used during imports through the main entry border points.
[Note: This section contains information which is related and applicable to 'crisis' times. These instruments can be applied when an emergency is officially declared by the Government. When this occurs, there is usually a streamlined process to import goods duty and tax free.]
Is covered under the Angola Customs legislation “Capitulo 98 SECTION IV” for products which due to Natural Disaster or Emergency Situation could be subject to Quota Import Regime and benefit from Exemption. Is noted under the same SECTION IV that…commodities imported due to Natural disasters or Emergency situation can be subject of Import by quotas and benefit from tax exemptions. The products under this section can only be exempted from customs taxes and consumption tax by authorization from the “Chief of the Executive” which can be granted for all or partial part of the territory….vide PDF copy of Customs Legislation in the annex.
Agreements / Conventions Description | Ratified by Country? (Yes / No) |
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WCO (World Customs Organization) member | Yes since 26/09/1990 |
Annex J-5 Revised Kyoto Convention | Yes since 23/02/2017 International Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures |
OCHA Model Agreement | No |
Tampere Convention (on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations) | Yes 13/10/1976 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - List of Members |
Regional Agreements (on emergency/disaster response, but also customs unions, regional integration) | SADC -Angola is preparing to sign an agreement in 2 or 3 year time related to border crossing within the region free of taxation for cargoes produced/manufactured locally. |
[Note: This section should contain information on the usual duties & taxes exemption regime during non-emergency times, when there is no declared state of emergency and no streamlines process (e.g. regular importations/development/etc.).]
According to current Angola Customs legislation “Capitulo 98 PARTE A” addresses the rules for Humanitarian cargo. Vide full chapter in the PDF copy of Customs Legislation in annex. Below some extracts from PARTE A translated from Portuguese/English as follows:
“Except for Alcoholic products, light vehicles (not included ambulances or funerary vehicles or adopted for physically impaired persons) commodities can be waived from customs taxation. The exemption can only be granted to (I)ONG which are in line with the Decree nr. 84/02 dated 31st December (which basically refers to (I)NGO with registration updated with IPROCAC is the Institute regulator of (i)NGO activities) , recognized Churches when involved in charity activities and the Ministerio da Assistencia e Reeinsercao Social….The exemption can only be granted if commodities are donated free of charge by a national or international organization, without any commercial objective by the shipper and consignee for free distribution or to support humanitarian project activities of the imported institution.
Essential food basket composition as referred in the Angola registration (sugar, rice, wheat flour, powder milk, oil, beans, maize flour and soup Offenbach with 1,5kgs/unit) can be exempted from exemption. Also can be exempted products that benefit from Quota imports by the Ministry concerned e.g. Beans, maize flour, wheat flour, Carapau/Horse Mackerel and Portland Cement…”
In PARTE D of the CHAPTER 98 also refers that “Any type of seeds used in agriculture activities are exempted and imports regulated in specific section”.
Also check on the current legislation full detailed list of commodities and NFIs considered under the current legislation as part of merchandise benefiting from tax exemption when for humanitarian purposes e.g. blankets, agriculture tools etc…
Organizational Requirements to obtain Duty Free Status |
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United Nations Agencies |
Ministry of Foreigner Affairs – UN Convention which governs UN Agency status Accord de Base Entre Le Gourvernment De Angola Et Le Programme Alimentaire Mondial ONU/FAO relative a Une Assistance Dudit Programme dated 02/12/1980 MOU signed between WFP/Angola Government – which governs rights related to Humanitarian aid. The MOU is signed with the Angolan Ministerio da Assistencia e Reinsercao Social. |
Non Governmental Organizations |
IPROCAC is the Institute regulator of (i)NGO activities vide site below translated in English |
Duties and Taxes Exemption Application Procedure |
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Generalities (include a list of necessary documentation) |
All entities required to be registered at Ministry of Finance by a formal letter to obtain the “Code of Contribuinte”/ NIF. WFP Angola Office have been already registered.
Thereafter the Import Permit; Letter of donation; Invoices, copies of BLs & Certificates as most important documents to get Tax exemption. |
Process to be followed (step by step or flowchart) |
TAX Exemption Steps 1) Ministerio da Assistencia e Reinsercao Social Letter addressing to WFP requesting humanitarian assistance and guarantee that the Government of Angola will facilitate and support International Organizations of the UN System (ONU), ONG and Partners during their project activities in special when concerned to exemption of taxes and customs duties of products, materials and equipment, consignee to humanitarian assistance. This text is extracted from the current letter covering WFP assistance for RDC refugees in Angola. 2) After WFP acceptance, commodity shipment information is forwarded to the local WFP office which submits a request for issuance of the Import Permit to the concerned Ministry see below (NB: At this stage is necessary to have good data accuracy e.g. Commodity, Quantity, Origin, Entry Point and Mode of Transportation);
Salt addressed to Ministry of Fisheries/Direccao Nacional Infrastruturas da Industria Pesqueira.
4) WFP letter of donation is then stamped/signed by the Ministerio da Assistencia e Reinsercao Social and IPROCAC (Angola regulator of all NGOs activities), CUSTOMS CLEARANCE STEPS Import of project vehicles may follow a different approach. 1) The local WFP Office receives the pro-forma/ original Commercial invoice, certificates of Origin, Packing List, copy of B/L and all documentation is handed over to WFP contracted Customs Broker. |
Duties and Taxes Exemption Certificate Document Requirements (by commodity) | ||||||
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| Food | NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) | Medicines | Vehicle & Spare Parts | Staff & Office Supplies | Telecoms Equipment |
Invoice | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Packing Lists | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Certificates of Health&Analisys | YES | NO | YES | NO | NO | NO |
Radioactivity No GMO Certificates | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO |
Other Documents | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Additional Notes: (1) For tax exemption only copies of above mentioned documents are necessary. | ||||||
(2) Radio, transmitters, receivers and other devices cannot be imported without authorisation from INACOM (INSTITUTO ANGOLA DE COMUNICACOES) |
Customs Information | |
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Document Requirements | Specific For temporary Import: The legislation that regulates norms for humanitarian cargo in its Part Q section XIX specifies that merchandise imported temporary must be declared under Customs Dispatch (Documento Unico-DU) for temporary import or of re--exportation or other procedure ruled by Customs. Also indicates that those consignments can be subject to a monetary deposit equal to the value of the import tax and other Customs charges. Exceptionally Customs may authorize temporary import without the use of the DU or deposit but a letter of responsibility written ensuring that re-exportation will be done within the framework. |
Embargoes | None |
Prohibited Items |
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General Restrictions | Restricted Imports:
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Customs Clearance Document Requirements (by commodity) | ||||||
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| Food | NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) | Medicines | Vehicles & Spare Parts | Staff & Office Supplies | Telecoms Equipment |
D&T Exemption Certificate | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Invoice | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Packing Lists | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Phytosanitary Certificate | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO |
Certificates of Origin | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Certificates of Health&Analisys | YES | NO | YES | NO | NO | NO |
Radioactivity and NO GMO certificates | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO |
Additional Notes | ||||||
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Customs legislation SECÇÃO VIII Trânsito Aduaneiro ARTIGO 87.º defines the types of Transit regime acceptable for cargos of this type to movement within or through the Angola territory under customs control with suspension of payment of Customs taxation except for Customs General fees or “emolumentos”. In the following articles refers that cargoes under this type of regime cargoes listed under QuadroVI annexed in the Preliminary Instructions of the Customs Law and/or other restricted cargoes from any special legislation, or from ratified or approved by the Angolan Authorities are mandatory pre- authorization from Customs. Customs also can interdict cargoes due to security reasons, or in order to protect human life, flora, environment and intellectual propriety rights. Therefore is mandatory to provide with exactitude details of the cargo with valid support documents. Vide in the ARTIGO 89 the taxation calculation applicable by customs for Customs General fees/”emolumentos”.
To start the process of customs clearance for this type of equipments the entity should send a request letter to the to INACOM National Director (PCA) attached to the documentation listed below being for definitive or temporary import (customs regime 11 & 14) addressed to the services of INACOM.
See also Angola customs website for a list of documentation as follows:
Bill of Lading/ (Air)Waybill and the import permission previously granted by INACOM if within the validity date.
List of Customs officers in charge of Customs based at the main border points of entry
Delegações | Comtactos |
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Santa Clara | |
Dundo | |
Lobito | |
Porto de Luanda | |
Luvo & Noqui | |
Namibe |