Your international move, while life changing and exciting, will also require a lot of meticulous planning and proper documentation to ensure a stress-free experience. No matter what your reason is for moving to the African nation of Niger, you'll need to be prepared.
Read on for more information on what to expect when clearing customs and moving to Niger.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
No foreign country will allow you to visit, much less live there without the proper documentation. These
important documents should be received a minimum of 20 to 30 days in advance of the arrival of your shipment to avoid any additional charges of demurrage. It is best to hire a customs brokering service for assistance in preparing these documents by the deadline.
When moving to Niger, you will need:
- Passport (copy, must show last entry stamp and biographic pages)
- Residence visa
- Work permit or letter from employer showing proof of employment contract
- Certificate of Change of Residence (from city hall at origin)
- Attestation Reservation de cale
- Valued inventory (comprehensive, two copies, in French, dated and signed by owner)
- Non-Sale Certificate (declaring client will not sell effects while in Niger)
- Bill of Lading/ Air Waybill (original)
- Packing list
- Power of Attorney (giving authority for Destination Agent to arrange customs clearance)
- International Health Certificate (indicating yellow fever vaccination)
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
Upon moving to Niger, you will be faced with various regulations you must abide by to successfully clear customs with your shipment.
Things to keep in mind:
- You must be present during the customs clearance process
- All shipments will be inspected
- Household goods and personal effects are duty free, as long as you have owned and used the goods a minimum of six months, and you have lived abroad for at least one year
- Goods cannot be sold, lent or disposed of during your stay in Niger
- Foreign diplomats, members of government or international organizations are eligible for duty free entry of personal effects and household goods (documents must arrive to the Destination Agent at least 15 days prior to the arrival and must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Most countries have a list of items that are not allowed in the country whatsoever. In Niger, you cannot import:
- Drugs or illegal narcotics of any kind
- Pornography, subversive material/literature
- Materials and/or icons contrary to Islam
- Chemicals
RESTRICTED ITEMS
When shipping your items to Niger, you should also be aware of the numerous items that are subject to duty fees, or have limits on quantity. Some of these items include, but may not be limited to:
- Electronics and appliances (limited one of each duty free, must have invoices/receipts, additional items will be taxed)
- Personal computers
- Works of art
- Jewelry
- New furniture (less than six months old, subject to duties and import tax up to 57 percent)
- New items (less than six months old, subject to duties and import tax up to 57 percent, must have invoices/receipts)
- Tobacco (200 cigarettes or 250 grams of loose tobacco duty free, all excess will be taxed)
- Alcohol (must be labeled as ‘fond de cave,' less than 20 bottles can be duty free)
- Firearms and ammunition heavily restricted (require permit from local Niger police, prohibited otherwise)
- Plants and plant material
- Perfume
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
If you're relocating to Niger for work, or any other reason that requires daily travel, you'll probably want to consider taking your vehicle with you. If you plan on shipping your vehicle to Niger, you will need:
- Passport (copy)
- Certificate of title (original)
- Purchase invoice (copy)
- Vehicle registration
- Driver's license
- International insurance policy
- Original bill of lading (must show chassis number, engine number, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, brand and model)
- Vehicle log book
Vehicles are subject to heavy duties and taxes in Niger - expect to pay up to 57 percent tax based on the weight, value age and power of your vehicle. You should check with your Destination Agent for the latest duty information and requirements. You will also want to be sure your vehicle is weatherized for extreme heat and sand.
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
If you own a pet, you won't want to leave it behind in your overseas trek. To be sure your animal companion makes it through customs without any trouble, you will need:
- Certificate of vaccination (issued less than six months prior to arrival by a certified veterinarian in country of origin)
- Health certificate (dated no more than three days prior to departure)
INTERNATIONAL MOVES
International moves are much more complex than a local or interstate move because they come with numerous expenses and strict custom regulations-- and there aren't global regulations for international moves. The most important part of your move will be finding full-service international movers and freight forwarders that have proper licensure and insurance.
Need help finding international moving companies in your area for your move to Niger? You can get started here at Movers.com by submitting our free quote form,which will connect you with up to seven qualified movers in your area.
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