Removal and transport companies

Moving personal belongings to a new country can be complex. There are a number of companies that offer a complete removal and transport service to Abidjan. Rates vary according to the size of the goods, the country of shipment and the time required for transport. Although air transport is fast, it is very expensive. Some companies also offer a storage and insurance service for goods.

Most of the time, these companies will also assist you with customs formalities. However, it is important to note that the time needed for customs formalities can be long and this could delay your departure. We have more information on this subject on the “Customs regulations” page. We advise you to choose a company that takes care of the customs documents and tariffs.

If you are planning to take your pet to the Ivory Coast, a veterinary health certificate or equivalent is required. A period of quarantine should also be considered. Furthermore, we would like to inform you that structures adapted to the well-being and health of animals are in full development in Ivory Coast and prices vary according to the pathologies.

There are several agencies that can assist you with managing your move.

Transit agents

If you wish to move to Abidjan or import goods for work, you will need to transit your goods through the port of Abidjan or Abidjan airport. In these cases, it is recommended that you hire a transit agent. This is a person or company that organises deliveries for individuals or companies so that they are not misled in the logistics of transport. They assist in the preparation and process of customs and other documents necessary for international transport.
The list of companies specialising in removals includes transit agents. This gives you a detailed list of offers. You will therefore not have to hire anyone individually. This is certainly more convenient, but it can be more expensive.

Please find below a list of Authorized Transit Agents found on the website of the Port of Abidjan (Port Autonome d’Abidjan).

Removal agencies

Moving to a new location can be a challenge, especially in a foreign country (and even more so when you are not fluent in the language!) For this, there are removal agencies in Abidjan to help you through this transition: finding a house, setting up common services and even giving legal advice. We advise you to always use state-approved agencies.

Customs formalities

Household goods are exempt from taxes if they have been owned and used for at least six months prior to transport. Nevertheless, the customer will have to obtain a Duty Free Certificate from the customs office. This certificate must arrive 15 days before the arrival of the ground transport. An original air waybill or delivery note will then be required for all goods imported into the country.

We also inform you that right-hand drive vehicles are prohibited in Côte d’Ivoire. Since 2017, Côte d’Ivoire only tolerates the import of second-hand cars that do not exceed 5 years of use.

There are no limits on the import of foreign currency by locals or visitors. Other currencies are also not limited to importation but will have to be declared on entry and exit. Locals are requested to convert foreign currency into local currency within eight days of entering the country. You will be able to exchange currency at the airport directly at foreign exchange offices or financial structures, but do not use a private individual.

The transport of animals in Côte d’Ivoire requires a Veterinary Health Certificate, or equivalent.

Quarantine is also to be taken into consideration.

The port of Abidjan is divided into 7 activity zones:

1. The old port which is a fruit terminal and a timber yard
2. The warehouse is a grouping of shops. It is also the storage place for companies, goods, the export of various services, etc.
3. The fishing port groups together all the activities connected with it, including cold stores for processing, fish preservation for restaurants, etc.
4. The Vridi Dike Warehouse consists of a warehouse for agricultural products, general cargo and the Vridi Container Terminal.
5. The Vridi area is used for the shipbuilding industry and its activities.
6. The Vridi industrial zone, for chemical and petrochemical, food preparation, metallurgical and electrical activities.
7. The Vridi area for housing and tourism

• Contacts

– Head office Tel: +225 21 23 80 00

– Sales and Marketing Tel: +225 21 23 82 63 / +225 21 23 82 62

– Port Captain Tel: +225 21 23 86 97

– Fishing Port Tel: +225 21 23 81 28

– Port General Secretary Tel: +225 21 23 87 15 / +225 21 23 87 16 / +225 21 23 87 17

– Port Police Tel: +225 21 23 87 40 / +225 21 23 87 41 / +225 21 23 87 49 / +225 21 23 87 59

– Port Security Tel: +225 21 35 26 70

– Emergency Towing and Rescue Tel: +225 21 22 01 89 / +225 21 24 04 66

– Ivorian Customs contacts: www.douanes.ci/contacts

Visas

All persons coming to Côte d’Ivoire require a visa, except for citizens of ECOWAS member countries who need only present an identity card valid for a period of three months. ECOWAS member countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Citizens of Andorra, Chad, Monaco, Morocco, Seychelles, Tunisia and the Vatican are also exempt for stays of less than three months. Travellers in transit, staying for no more than 12 hours and holding departure and return tickets are also affected by this measure.

For those not covered by these arrangements, you can apply for a visa at an Ivorian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. For more information, you can go to the page on our website “The Ivorian representation abroad”.

Alternatively, since 2014, Côte d’Ivoire has introduced an E-Visa system for an online procedure. Once approved, you will receive an email with an approval letter attached which you must print before boarding to Abidjan. Once you arrive at Abidjan airport, you will need to go to the E-Visa Office where they will check your document and passport so that you can access the immigration service. This is a relatively simple process. However, the waiting time can be long depending on the number of E-Visa’s to be issued by the authorities at the time of your arrival.

Please check with your embassy or a representative about the requirements for obtaining a visa. However, the general conditions for obtaining a visa are as follows:

• A registration form that you can find on www.snedai.com.
• A recent passport photo
• A letter of invitation or hotel reservation
• A passport valid for at least six months
• A vaccination certificate for young fever – more information on the page
• A copy of your plane ticket

For a minor, a letter signed by a parent or guardian. 

Health Regulations

Special Note Covid-19: In this period of pandemic, Côte d’Ivoire has put in place several drastic measures in the fight against COVID-19.

Travellers should register online according to the following steps:

1- The passenger enters his mobile number and receives a validation code;

2- He proceeds with his declaration.

3- You will have to enter the code previously obtained by SMS and finalize your

declaration.

4) You must print your declaration which includes a QR Code or download it to your terminal.

5) At the airport on the day of travel, the passenger presents his/her declaration to the airport staff for verification. Reading the QR Code will facilitate this verification. Eventually, the agent will be able to retrieve the passenger’s information from a terminal at his disposal.

The cost of the declaration is 2,000 Fcfa to be paid by the passenger.

6) After filling in the declaration form, the passenger pays online via the link www.deplacement-aerien.gouv. ci the sum of 48,000 FCFA which entitles him to the COVID-19 test (RT-PCR). He will present the receipt of payment to the health workers at one of the dedicated sampling sites (Covid19 reception centres in Plateau, Cocody, Yopougon and Marcory and the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department of the Treichville University Hospital). Once the sample has been taken, it is sent to the Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire (IPCI) for the PCR test. The result is communicated to the traveller by SMS within 48 hours and a negative Covid-19 test certificate is issued by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene. With this certificate, the traveller can go to the airport on the day of travel. The INHP health agents on duty at the airport, after checking that the person is wearing a face mask, that the body temperature is < 38°C, that hygiene measures and physical distance are observed, check the validity of the certificate before check-in.

INSTRUCTIONS TO PASSENGERS

On the other hand, if the traveller’s temperature is higher than 38°C, he will be transferred to the pandemic cell for treatment by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene services.

FOR TRAVELLERS ARRIVING IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

• The traveller checks in online according to the following steps:
• He enters his mobile number and receives a validation code ;
• He makes his declaration;
• He enters the code previously obtained and finalises his declaration;
• The passenger prints out his declaration which includes a QR Code or downloads it to his terminal.
• The passenger presents his declaration to the airline agents before boarding.
• On arrival in Abidjan, the traveller is given a QR Code.

Vaccinations

– In Côte d’Ivoire, the yellow fever vaccine is the only compulsory vaccine to enter the country. You will need to bring your International Certificate of Vaccination booklet with you on arrival. It is necessary to do this before your arrival, otherwise you will have to be vaccinated at the airport for an amount between 7 and 10 000 FCFA.

– If you have not done your yellow fever vaccination before arriving at Abidjan airport or if you forget your International Vaccination Certificate Booklet, you will have to go to the clinic in the immigration service to get vaccinated before you can leave the immigration service. You will then receive your Carnet International de Vaccination from the clinic and you will be able to leave the immigration service.

– The good news is that the yellow fever vaccine offers lifelong protection. In 2014, the WHO adopted an amendment to the International Health Regulations, which stated that the duration of protection offered by the yellow fever vaccine and the period of validity of the certificate is extended from 10 years to the lifetime of the person vaccinated. On 11 July 2016, the amendment came into force and is binding on all countries. As a result, revaccination or a booster vaccination against yellow fever is no longer required.

– The other recommended vaccines are :

• Typhoid fever requires a booster shot every three years.
• Anti-meningococcal A + C to prevent meningitis. This is given at the age of two years and a booster shot is required every three years.
• Hepatitis A is administered at the age of one year and requires two doses to provide protection for up to ten years.
• Hepatitis B is administered at two months of age and requires three doses to be protected for life.
• Cats and dogs imported into the country require a rabies inoculation certificate and a certificate of good health from the country of origin before being admitted.