The Chambre de Commerce, d’Agriculture, d’Industrie et d’Artisanat- CCAIAN (Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture, Industry and Crafts in Niamey), which is located in the capitals of each of Niger’s seven regions, is responsible for the Guichet Unique de Formalités du Commerce Extérieur – GUFCE (Single Window for Foreign Trade Formalities, whose three major tasks are ensuring compliance with the general Any person, whether they are a natural person or a legal entity, that engages in the importation or exportation of goods is required to be registered in the Commercial Register, have a current business license or have already paid for one. This is true regardless of whether they are a natural person or legal entities. In addition to this, they are required to make a membership payment to the Council National of Users of Transport (CNUT) (National Transport Users Council). It is only possible for pharmacies and individuals who have clearance from the Ministry of Health to import pharmaceuticals.
Import procedures
Procedures for imports include the following:
- Importers who plan to transport items worth at least CFA 1 million ($1,700) must deposit a preliminary import declaration seven days beforehand.
- Three copies of the Pro Forma Bills of Lading must be submitted with the Preliminary Import Declaration to automatically receive approval.
- A preliminary import declaration has a 6-month expiration and a 3-month extension period. Changes in supplier, order value or quantity require cancellation and reissuance of Preliminary Import Declarations.
- Authorized Nigerian banks must process payments for imported goods over CFA 1,000,000.
- Every FOB import worth CFA two million or more (about $3,400) must be inspected by the supplier’s testing, inspection, and certification organization before delivery.
- (COTECNA); This verifies import declaration details including quality, quantity, price, and tariff heading.
- It is required to present a clear report of findings from COTECNA.
- The COTECNA Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate was presented,
Import procedure cont’
Importers who plan to transport items worth at least CFA 1 million ($1,700) must deposit a preliminary import declaration seven days beforehand. Three copies of the Pro Forma Bills of Lading must be submitted with the Preliminary Import Declaration to automatically receive approval.
A preliminary import declaration has a 6-month expiration and a 3-month extension period. Changes in supplier, order value or quantity require cancellation and reissuance of Preliminary Import Declarations. Every FOB import worth CFA two million or more (about $3,400) must be inspected by the supplier’s testing, inspection, and certification organization before delivery.
Goods exempted from shipment inspection
By mandating a pre-shipment inspection in 2016, Niger lengthened the process and raised the cost of importing documents and meeting border requirements.
Products listed below are exempt from shipment inspection:
- Arms and ammunition
- 35mm cinematographic films exposed and processed for public screenings
- Explosives and pyrotechnic materials
- Recently cut flowers
- Imported goods for mining businesses – Imports with a total FOB value of less than CFA two million
- Live animals – Newspapers and magazines
- Artworks – Perishable foods delivered at ambient temperature or cold
- Mail – Precious stones and precious metals – Scrap metal
Commercial samples
Donations and supplies to Diplomatic and Consular Missions, or any United Nations-related institution, are imported for their use. Donations to the Republic of Niger by foreign governments or international organizations to the State, public schools and libraries, religious missions, charitable organizations, and philanthropic foundations deemed necessary by the Republic of Niger.
Personal effects and household objects, including one used automobile as a personal belonging, as a result of a change of domicile, as legally confirmed by the authorities on the previous domicile. Personal presents – Petroleum products in liquid or gaseous form, except for goods with the following codes: 27.10.19.31.00, 27.10.19.32.00, 27.19.32.00, 27.10.19.33.00, 27.10.19.39.00 (lubricant and oil).
