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08.06.2020

COVID-19 [Angola]

Bulletin n° 1 - CIQP : 8 June 2020 (Bulletin on Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Procedures)

IMPORTATION AND CUSTOMS / IMPORTATION ET DOUANES

Customs, land, sea

All commercial borders are still open to cargo movements.

Land border and domestic cargo movement are only open to first necessity, aid, and relief cargo.

Ports are operating at reduced capacity. Ships will be subjected to health checks and may be subjected to quarantine time. Crew rotations and shore leave are not permitted.

Land border status in neighboring countries: - Democratic Republic of the Congo: Land borders are open. - Namibia: Land cargo movement is limited. - Republic of the Congo: Most land borders are closed to cargo movements including the border with Angola. - Zambia: Truck drivers with cross-border consignments undergo extensive screening at border entries.

(Information updated 8 June: Logistic Cluster)

 Customs, importation procedure (update on 5 May 2020)

Customs delegations can operate with the entire workforce from 26 May.

The exit of national products is prohibited of the basic basket, fuel, medicines, equipment and expendable material for medical use, without prejudice to actions international humanitarian aid.

(Information dated 27 May: Government of Angola)

Update from the Customs administrations of Angola on measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic (21 April 2020):

• National essential list of COVID-19 priority items: A decree on preferential treatment for the import of medicines and essential goods to combat the pandemic is under consideration.
• National extended HS codes based on the World Customs Organization (WCO) list: Extensive tariff codes have not been However, 80% of these are exempt from import duties and other Customs charges.
• The above-mentioned medicines and essential goods are not exempt from the previous formalities of the regulatory bodies. However, the Customs clearance of the respective goods is not conditioned, within the scope of COVID-19.
• The import of goods intended to prevent the expansion of COVID-19 are exempt from payment of Customs duties, IVA, and fees due to the provision of services. This only applies to import goods exclusively intended for donation and humanitarian aid, and no different use can be given to those.
• Expedited release of Customs processes: Previous Customs Clearance (Article 10 of the Customs Tariff) and Incomplete Declaration (Article 11 of the Customs Tariff) are two procedures adopted for Customs clearance of medicines and medical equipment.
• The import of medicines and medical equipment requires authorization from the National Directorate of Medicines and Medical Equipment of the Ministry of Health (DDNME/MINSA). There is a fast-track procedure for obtaining certification for the period in force, and for the purposes of donation or humanitarian aid, in 2-3 days.
• National guidelines exist for the importation of medicines and medical equipment.
• Focal points within Customs administrations to whom the shipping documents can be sent in advance:
  
  • Nerethz Tati – Director of Customs Services nerethz.tati@minfin.gov.ao;
  • Francisco Sivone – Tariffs and Trade Department Manager: francisco.sivone@minfin.gov.ao.
• There is a procedure for the formalization/ regularization of expedited imports. Incomplete Declaration Procedure must be done within 30 days after Customs clearance.
• Risks related to fast-track Customs clearance include high number of processes to be regularized; possibility of loss of probative elements essential for the audit; and uses.
• Penalties for failure to account for or regularise importation requirements: there are no exclusive penalties under COVID-19. However, at the end of the State of Emergency period, all import processes within the scope of this pandemic will be audited and, in the event of infractions/transgressions, the penalties foreseen in the Customs legislation will be applied.
• Official measures/operational procedures have been published and shared  with the relevant parties (stakeholders).

• Medicines and medical equipment may be brought into Angolan territory through official air, sea and land borders.
• There are temperature regulated storage spaces at our borders:
• At international airports: refrigerated chambers are used for the packaging of medicines and medical equipment;
• At ports and land borders: importers are advised to pack medicines and medical equipment in temperature-controlled containers during transportation. However, within the national territory, they must be connected to an energy source while the respective Customs clearance process take place.
• There are no private bonded warehouses (of medicines and medical equipment) in operation near international airports and sea ports.
• There is a coordinating body including Customs administration to facilitate quick release of relief cargo. The focal points are:
  • Nerethz Tati: nerethz.tati@minfin.gov.ao;
  • Francisco Sivone: francisco.sivone@minfin.gov.ao.
• The process for the implementation and establishment of Single stop Border Posts is in progress.
• List of the agencies and actors with whom Customs administrations interact in the end-to-end importation process: National Directorate of Medicines and Medical Equipment, National Council of Carriers of Angola, Maritime and Port Institute of Angola, General Inspection of Health, Criminal Investigation Service.
• The updated list of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO’s) is published on the website of the Revenue Administration.