Overview

Baidu border crossing is an international crossing between Sierra Leone and Liberia. The following services have their agents at the post:

• Health
• Customs
• Immigration
• Security
• Police
• Army
• Interpol
• Intelligence

Daily Capacity

In average 10 persons per day pass the border. One 8-wheeled truck loaded with fish from Freetown passes by every month (dry and rainy season) to sell the fish at Foya market. The Foya market opens on Saturdays while the Koindu market opens on Thursdays. Saturdays are the busiest day of the week as a van (with 6 wheels) does the trip between the two towns carrying passengers and goods. 

Customs Clearance

There is a custom office at the border point with a computer to issue the relevant documents. Unfortunately, there is no electricity available at the post so all the documents are hand written. Inspections are carried out on the cargoes to verify their content and quantity in conformity with the manifest.   

Other Relevant Information

There is no electricity at the border post and no fuel for the generator, which also needs maintenance. The water system is poor and the drinking water pump is damaged. The nearest health facility is in Koindu. 

For more information, please see the following link: 4.1 Sierra Leone Government Contact List

Overview

This joint border post can be found in the Kambia district and in Gbalamuya Town along the Republics of Sierra Leone and Guinea. It was constructed with funds from the European Union in order to facilitate and promote trade. The road from Freetown to Gbalamuya is paved and in good condition. 

Daily Capacity

Private cars are provided a separate lane. The level of traffic is still low due to the Ebola outbreak. Most of the traffic is composed of small cars or vans. Around 20 trucks per month pass the border post. 

Customs Clearance  

In order to obtain customs clearance, it is necessary to contact a clearing agent. The clearing agent will establish a manifest document detailing the goods' description, quantity and value. It is the only document needed at the border. It must be submitted first to Anti-Smuggling Unit (ASU), which will verify and inspect the goods then stamp and sign the manifest. (An Examining Officer will go out to verify the description and quantity of the items mentioned on the manifest.) The document then is submitted to the Collector for valuation purpose. After the valuation, the items are entered into Asycuda system. After inputting, the clearing agent takes the document to the bank available in the same building and makes the necessary payment. After the payment, the document goes to In-gate section which will check to ensure that the correct Harmonized System (HS) code is used. The In-gate officer triggers the activity. The system will send the document to an examining officer at the border who will examine the vehicle and the cargo to ensure it is consistent with the declaration on the manifest. If the cargo is not consistent, then payment of additional fees must occur. After the examining officer establishes the inspection act (electronic description in the system). The ASU unit validates it after assessment and checks the inspection act. If correct, they assess the document, which will be submitted to the collector who will print a release copy attached to the document for the collector’s signature and stamp. The release and the bank receipt will be given to the importer for him to go with the goods. This process takes approximately 30 minutes.  

Other Relevant Information

It takes around 30 minutes to cross the border. If customs at the border does not clear an imported car, it will be escorted to the Customs yard in Freetown where it will be parked until the importer finalizes the importation documents.

For more information, please see the following link: 4.1 Sierra Leone Government Contact List

Overview

At this crossing point, there are representatives from the Security, Customs, Phytosanitary, and Immigration. The phytosanitary agents inspect all medical goods and food. There is no bridge to cross the Moa river, therefore the use of the ferry is obligatory. The ferry is managed by the Guineans. On the Guinean side, the National Road n. 16 leads to Guékedou.

Daily Capacity

The daily traffic is usually 20 persons in majority on motorbikes. There is only 1 trailer per year but trucks of 10 mt are more frequent. In order to cross to the Guinean side, the use of the ferry is obligatory.  The ferry can take up to a 20 mt truck. The vehicles should have a laisser-passer from Freetown endorsed by the immigration. In case a person arrives without a visa then he will be escorted to Kenema office where he can obtain the visa for 30 days. Only one motorbike is available. It takes 20 minutes to finish the clearing formalities. 

Customs Clearance

The goods passing through this post are mostly composed of local products. A manifest is prepared by the drivers and checked by the customs. Depending on the quantity and the type of product, the custom duty is estimated and should be paid cash according to a receipt. For any transit, the documents should be prepared at Freetown and escorted by the customs officials. In case a transit truck arrives at the border, it will be escorted to the main customs office which is located in Baidu. There are 36 crossing points but only two are international borders; the Yenga and Baidu posts.

Other Relevant Information

The goods are inspected by the officials at the border point. 

The ferry at the Guinean side and the canoes used to cross the Moa River. 

For more information, please see the following link: 4.1 Sierra Leone Government Contact List

Overview

Bo-Waterside is an international border crossing post between Sierra Leone and Liberia. The road from Kenema to the border point is very bad and during the rainy season it becomes more difficult to access and might take few days to go through due to the traffic and potholes along the road. 

Daily Capacity

N/A 

Customs Clearance

There are no fees on trucks or vehicles leaving the country. They need to have a laissez-passer obtained from Freetown Customs. 

Other Relevant Information

The trucks are subject to physical inspection to ensure that the quantity and content of the cargoes correspond to what mentioned in the Manifest. 

For more information, please see the following link: 4.1 Sierra Leone Government Contact List