General Standards
Burkina Faso is a small country with great trade potential. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources but a strong industrial base.
Cotton and gold are Burkina Faso’s key exports - gold has accounted for about three-quarters of the country’s total export revenues. The country’s economic growth and revenue depends on global prices for the two commodities. The Burkinabe economy experienced high levels of growth over the last few years, and the country has seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and exports.
GOODS QUALITY CHECK
Before importing or exporting any kind of products, the items are checked if they correspond to the Burkina Faso’s Customs regulations. COTECNA is the organization, responsible for the quality check.
The goods inspection procedure is as follows:
- notification of the inspecting service by the exporter at least five days before the date scheduled for this inspection;
- submission of the goods to the Inspection Officers’ check by the exporter;
- delivery of a copy of the final invoice with the ocean bill of lading or the air bill (AWB) and the packing list, if applicable;
- payment of goods inspection fees (unpacking, re-packing, handling, tests, etc).
The inspection leads to:
- the affixing of the Safety Label on a copy of the final invoice;
- the issuance of inspection result notification (ARI) to the importer.
IMPORT PROCEDURE
The procedure of import of goods from Burkina Faso involves the following steps:
- prior import request;
- securing the national compliance certificate;
- certificate of origin of the goods;
- inspection before shipment;
- payment proceeds domiciliation.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
The importer/exporter has to prepare the following package of documents in order to do business in Burkina Faso:
1. Prior Import Declaration
The Prior Import Declaration (DPI) is required in all customs regimes for the import of any goods:
- with a value equal or in excess of five million CFA F (CFA F 5 000 000);
- not absolutely prohibited or non subject to special import authorization (ASI).
2. National Compliance Certificate
The national compliance certificate is issued by both the Ministry of Trade and the National Public Health Laboratory and certifies the weight, quality, quantity, packing and labeling of the goods based on the technical standards and regulations enforced in Burkina Faso.
3. Commercial Invoice
The commercial invoice must be submitted in triplicate, including the original copy and must contain a complete description, quantity, unit cost, HS code, delivery method of the goods, and country of origin, along with all required payment terms and letter of credit number if transaction was actualized through this payment method.
4. Certificate of Origin
It is a document that is required by certain foreign countries for tariff purposes, certifying the country of origin of specified goods. The certificate of origin is to be prepared in duplicate. No corrections are permitted on this document, which is to be prepared in English. A Certificate of Origin is usually prepared by the exporter or the freight forwarder and notarized and attested to by a local Chamber of Commerce or a World Trade Center.
5. Health Certification
Special health certificates are required for imports of plants, seeds, live animals and animal products. Plants, including fruits and vegetables, must be substantially free from pests and diseases and must have been grown in an area substantially free from prohibited pests and diseases.
6. Bill of Landing/Air-Bill
Minimum of two copies normally required. Freight charges must be stated separately and quantities must be indicated in metric terms. Import reference number and letter of credit number are to be shown. It also indicates the name and address of the applicant and the issuing bank.
LIST OF CUSTOMS OFFICES
- Ouaga-Gare Office;
- Ouaga-Inter Office;
- Ouaga-Aéroport Office;
- Automotive Vehicle Customs Clearance (BVA);
- Bingo Office;
- Ouaga postal package (CDP) Office;
- Koudougou Office;
- Dakola Office;
- Léo Office;
- Zabré Office;
- Zecco Office;
- Guelwango Annexe (under the authority of Zecco);
- Bobo-Dioulasso Differed Control Unit;
- Bobo-Gare Office;
- Banfora Office;
- Niangoloko Office;
- Niangoloko-Gare Office;
- Faramana Office;
- Kampti Office;
- Ouessa Office;
- Koloko Office;
- Djibasso Office;
- Seytenga Office;
- Thiou Office;
- Pétégoli Annex (under the authority of Djibo Customs Post);
- Sella Annex (under the authority of Markoye);
- Fada N’Gourma Regional Differed Control Unit;
- Bittou Office;
- Kantchari Office;
- Nadiagou Office;
- Tansarga Office;
- Cinkansé Annex (under the authority of Bittou);
- Koulgoungou Annex (under the authority of Bittou);
- Arly Annex (under the authority of Tansarga).
GOODS ACCOUNTING
All bonded goods (including goods benefiting by customs duties and taxes exemption) must be subject to a goods accounting for them to be assigned a customs regime.
The goods accounting is filed at the entry section upon arrival at the Customs Office or within a legal deadline of 15 days upon entry of the goods.
The documentation required for goods accounting is as follows:
- the invoice;
- the prior export request;
- the special import authorization, if required;
- the corporation pre-registration certificate;
- the certificate of origin;
- the commitment for further document production;
- the examination or sampling request, if needs be;
- the freight note;
- the goods accounting slip and the statutory value declaration (DV);
- the import certificate;
- the tax status certificate;
- sanitary and phytosanitary certificates, if required;
- Miscellaneous import authorizations (arms, drugs, copyrights, etc.);
- the temporary import authorization, if required;
- the duty-free entry decision, if applicable.
CONTACTS
Direction Générale des Douanes
01 BP 506 Ouagadougou 01 - Burkina Faso
Tel: +226 50 32 47 56/57/58
Fax: +226 50 31 42 13 and 226 50 31 12 04
E-mail: dg.douanes.bf@cenatrin.bf
Website: www.douanes.bf
