Customs clearance document checklist

Having every document ready before shipment is the most effective way to keep cargo from getting stuck at the destination port. Below are the standard documents and each country's specific requirements.

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International shipping and customs documents laid out, including a commercial invoice and packing list

What is the minimum set of documents needed to clear cargo from China into Africa?

Three basics: the commercial invoice, the packing list, and the bill of lading or air waybill.

Most African countries also require a certificate of origin.
Nigeria: the importer must obtain Form M and PAAR.
Products on the mandatory certification list need a SONCAP certificate.
Food, medicines and cosmetics need NAFDAC registration.
The exact requirements depend on the HS code and destination country; check each item before shipping.

Information updated: August 2026

Standard documents (all destinations)

These are the minimum. Without any one of them, cargo cannot clear normally.

Standard clearance documents for shipping from China to Africa
Document	Issued by	Purpose	Points to watch
Commercial Invoice	Shipper / seller	Customs uses it to assess the value and calculate duty	Description, quantity, unit price, total and trade terms must match the actual goods; do not under-declare
Packing List	Shipper	Shows the number of packages, packing method, gross and net weight and volume	Package count and weight must match the bill of lading; mismatches trigger inspection
Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)	Shipping line / airline	Document of title and the basis for collecting the cargo	Consignee details must be accurate; amendments cost money and cause delays
Certificate of Origin	CCPIT / China Customs	Proves where the goods were made; some countries grant preferential duty rates on this basis	Required by most African countries; we recommend getting one by default

These are the usual requirements. Some countries or product types need additional documents; before booking, we check every item against your shipment.

Nigeria-specific requirements

Nigeria's import controls are strict. The items below are handled by the importer or exporter before shipment; trying to obtain them after arrival is usually too late.

Nigeria import documents and certification requirements
Item	Handled by	When	Notes
Form M	Nigerian importer	Before shipment	Applied for by the importer through an authorised bank; a precondition for clearance. Without Form M, PAAR cannot be issued
PAAR	Nigeria Customs Service	Before arrival	The assessment report customs issues on the basis of Form M and the supporting documents; required for clearance
SONCAP certificate	Exporter (we can handle it for you)	Before shipment	Required for products on the mandatory list. The PC product certificate comes first, and the SC is issued on that basis
NAFDAC registration	Importer / brand owner	As early as possible before shipping	Required for food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics and supplements. Registration is per product and takes a long time

Form M and PAAR are handled on the consignee's side, and our Lagos team can help follow them up. We can handle SONCAP for you; NAFDAC registration needs the brand owner to supply product information.

View our certification service Nigeria route details

Requirements in other countries

Each country is different; these are the main items. Scope follows the lists published by each country's authorities.

Specific import requirements in other countries
Country	Main specific requirements	Notes
Kenya	PVoC / CoC, IDF	Products on the KEBS list must pass pre-shipment verification of conformity and obtain a CoC; the importer must apply for an IDF import declaration
Ghana	GSA standards conformity, FDA registration	Some products must meet Ghana Standards Authority requirements; food, medicines and cosmetics need Ghana FDA registration
Togo	Cargo tracking note (BESC), GUCE declaration	Sea cargo needs a cargo tracking note validated before the vessel arrives; import declarations go through the SEGUCE single window, and transit to landlocked countries needs a transit guarantee
Côte d'Ivoire	Import declaration form (FDI), cargo tracking note (BSC)	The importer obtains the FDI through GUCE before shipment; sea cargo needs a BSC carrying the FDI number
Senegal	Prior import declaration (DPI), cargo tracking note (BESC)	Imports with a FOB value of 500,000 CFA francs or more, and full containers, need a DPI through ORBUS; sea cargo needs a BESC validated before the vessel arrives
Tanzania	TBS verification of conformity, TFDA	Products on the TBS list need pre-shipment verification; food and medicines must meet TFDA requirements. Transit to landlocked countries needs a transit bond
Ethiopia	Import licence and foreign exchange payment, ECAE, EFDA	The importer must hold an import licence and arrange foreign exchange payment through a local bank; products under mandatory standards are inspected by ECAE; food and medicines must meet EFDA requirements
Morocco	PortNet certificate of conformity (CoC), ONSSA inspection	Industrial products under mandatory control by the Ministry of Industry and Trade need a certificate of conformity through PortNet before import; food and agricultural products are inspected by ONSSA
Algeria	Bank domiciliation, forecast import programme (PPI)	Each import must be domiciled with a bank before shipment, and transport documents must be dated after domiciliation; the importer needs a PPI visa
Tunisia	Technical import inspection, TTN single declaration	Goods subject to technical inspection are released only after they pass; documents are submitted on TTN before the cargo arrives
Egypt	ACI pre-registration (ACID), GOEIC factory registration	Sea cargo needs ACI filed through CargoX with an ACID number, and air freight has been included since 2026; factories of listed consumer goods must register with GOEIC first
South Africa	SARS importer registration, NRCS LOA, ITAC permit	The importer must register with SARS; products under compulsory specifications need NRCS approval; second-hand and controlled goods need an ITAC import permit

Only the main items are listed. Whether each applies depends on the product's HS code and use; follow the latest lists published by each country's authorities.

Extra documents for special cargo

Besides the standard documents, these cargo types need the matching technical or safety files.

Products with batteries (including lithium)

A UN38.3 test report and MSDS safety data sheet are required, and space is allocated under dangerous goods or special cargo rules. Batteries installed in equipment, packed with equipment and shipped on their own follow different rules and must be declared separately.

Chemicals and liquids

An MSDS and a dangerous goods classification report are required. Dangerous goods are packed, marked and declared under the IMDG Code; ordinary liquids also need their composition stated so they are not misclassified.

Food and supplements

Besides registration in the destination country, an ingredient list, shelf-life statement and health certificate are usually needed. Some countries require labels in the local language showing the registration number.

Machinery and used equipment

An equipment list, nameplate photos and a description of use are required. Most African countries set age limits or inspection requirements for used equipment, and some categories are banned, so check in advance.

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