Mozambique
Mozambican Customs Contacts:
Website: http://www.at.gov.mz/
Email: linhadocontribuinte@at.gov.mz
Address: Praca da Marinha Popular, Maputo, PO Box: CP 272
Telephone: +25821315000
Intertek Government and Trade Services
Website: http://www.intertek.com/
Telephone: +44 116 296 1620
Like most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Mozambique's international economic transactions are based on the exportation of agricultural commodities in exchange for capital goods. Since the international terms of trade accord higher value to the latter, Mozambique routinely suffers from a balance of payments deficit, hence, in part, its constant need to borrow money from the IFIs and wealthy foreign governments. The balance of trade deficit varies widely, depending upon, among other things, the market success of agricultural export commodities in a given year (as we have seen, this, in turn, depends on both weather conditions and international commodity prices).
Mozambique is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—a regional trading agreement among 14 countries in southern Africa designed to lower tariff barriers between member countries. While it is difficult to justify completely free trade between wealthy and poor countries since they cannot compete from a level playing field, some argue that free trade between developing countries can be beneficial. The argument is based mainly on the idea that free trade between developing countries enables them to benefit from economies of scale in a more equitably competitive context.
Custom duties vary from 2.5% for raw materials to 20% for finished goods.
Documentation for clearance of imported goods is managed through the Single Electronic Window. The Single Electronic Window (JUE) is a modern system of clearance of goods. It is a complete trade facilitation solution that includes all infrastructure and resources necessary for an efficient, effective, sustainable and continuous operation of a system for the clearance and monitoring of goods movements.
Pre-shipment inspection
Regulated goods are subject to pre-shipment inspection in the country of export before they allowed into Mozambique.
Intertek is the appointed sole provider for this service. Intertek Government and Trade Services have been solely appointed by the Government of Mozambique to carry out pre-shipment inspection (PSI) on all imports indicated in the table at the end of these Guidelines unless officially exempt from this program. The scope of the Intertek program includes physical inspection in the country of export to establish compliance with the order specification and assessment of price, customs classification and import duties payable. Importers are required to complete a Pre-Advice Form (PAF) for all imports subject to inspection. Upon receipt of the PAF from the Importer, Intertek will contact the Exporter and arrange inspection in the country of supply through their network of overseas offices. Upon satisfactory findings, Intertek will issue a Documento Único Certificado (DUC) to the Importer. The DUC will be available for collection from an Intertek office in Mozambique.
Imports subjected to Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI)
PSI is mandatory for a number of goods set out in a ‘Positive List’. If the goods being imported appear on this positive list, then the goods ARE subject to inspection. The parameters of this program are set by the Revenue Authority of Mozambique working together with Intertek. Consequently, this list is subject to change over time and traders are advised to keep up to date with the latest list. Where a proforma invoice contains exempt and subject goods, all the goods will be inspected by Intertek and a corresponding DUC will be issued.
Documents required by Intertek
A clean final invoice, with the following information: Invoice number and date of issuance; Names of the Importer and Exporter, as per the pro-forma invoice; Detailed quantity and description of goods; All unit prices and extensions; Total price and applicable Incoterms (e.g. FOB etc.); The gross and net weights of the consignment; Any shipping marks.
Note: Final invoices that show a price adjustment arising from fluctuating exchange rates cannot be accepted unless expressly allowed for under the terms and conditions of the pro-forma invoice. Faxed documents are acceptable. It is in your best interest and the interests of your Importer that you submit a copy of your Final Invoice at the earliest possible opportunity. We would recommend that you include it with your initial response to our RFI letter. The certificate will be issued to the importer within three working days of the receipt of the Exporter's correct and acceptable Final invoice
Prices
According to data, exporting a standard container of goods requires 7 documents, takes 21 days and costs about $1100. Importing the same container of goods requires 9 documents, takes 25 days and costs about $1600.
Documents to export: Bill of lading, Cargo release order, Commercial invoice and Customs export declaration, Inspection report from scanner, Packing list, and Terminal handling receipts.
Documents to import: Bill of lading, Cargo release order, Commercial invoice, Customs import declaration, Delivery order , Equipment registration certificate, Inspection report from scanner (Kudumba), Packing list, Terminal handling receipts.
Doing business in Mozambique
Strengths of the Mozambique market include:
- high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, low inflation and a relatively stable currency
- vast mineral and hydrocarbon deposits attracting large amounts of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- geographically well positioned to export to Asian markets
Sources:
http://www.intertek.com/government/pre-shipment-inspection/exports/mozambique/
http://country.eiu.com/mozambique
