International moves are unique in the amount of preparation and planning required to relocate from one country to another. In addition to securing the services of an international moving company packing your belongings and planning your moving budget, you must consider the customs regulations in your destination country. These regulations often vary and are subject to change.
Whatever your reasons for relocating to Chad-- employment, family or a change of scenery, you'll need to be properly prepared when entering the country through customs.
Here's what you need to know when preparing to travel to Chad from the United States:
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
When you relocate to Chad, you will need to present several documents to customs officials and the destination agent upon arrival. These documents are used to verify your identity, shipment and reasons for relocating. As with all important moving-related documents, these should be kept safe and easily-accessible throughout your relocation:
- Passport (either copy or original; last entry stamp must be shown)
- Residence Visa
- Work permit or a Letter of Employment from your employer (stating your reason for relocating to Chad, as well as your work contract, date of hire, position, length of contract and any other details relevant to your travel)
- Certificate of Change of Residence (obtained from origin country)
- Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (submitted to the Destination Agent after the vessel departs, must also be listed on the Bill of Lading and shipping manifest)
- Bill of Lading (original)
- Packing list and complete list of inventory, including values of items (must be in French and all electronics must include the make, model and serial number of the item listed on the inventory)
- Letter of Transfer (from employer)
- Power of Attorney (granting access to the Destination Agent to arrange for customs clearance of your shipment)
- Non-sale certificate (states that the household goods and personal items you are importing are for personal use and will not be sold)
SHIPPING AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
When you relocate overseas to Chad, you'll be bringing a shipment of goods that will be checked thoroughly by customs agents when you arrive. To make sure that your move goes smoothly, you should become acquainted with the shipping regulations currently enforced by Chad customs officials:
- All used household goods and personal effects may be imported duty free, as long as the goods have been in the customer's possession for a minimum of six months and the customer has lived outside of Chad for at least one year
- Household goods and personal items imported into Chad through customs may not be sold, lent or disposed of during the customer's stay in Chad
- All non-diplomats entering Chad through customs clearance will be subject to a two percent tax statistique and 20 percent VAT
- For shipments arriving via sea, all shipping documents and documents required for entry must be submitted to the Destination Agent at least two weeks prior to the arrival of the shipment at the port
- For shipments arriving via air, all shipping documents and other necessary documents required for entry must be emailed to the Destination Agent at least one week prior to the arrival of the shipment
PROHIBITED ITEMS
The following items are prohibited from being imported into Chad through customs and may be seized by customs and border authorities upon arrival:
- Pornography and other obscene or vulgar material
- Any subversive or defamatory media or materials
- Illegal drugs
- Explosives
- Radio equipment
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Restricted items are limited to certain quantities or require additional duties, taxes or fees to be paid before they can be cleared by customs officials. Here are the items that are restricted and dutiable by the government of the Chad:
- Firearms require prior authorization and a license to carry before they can be permitted into the country
- Ammunitions and weapons of any kind are prohibited unless the customer has received prior authorization to import these items from the territorial administration in Chad
- Computers are not considered household goods or personal effects and will be subject to import tax and duty upon arrival at customs
- All other electronics and appliances that are less than six months old will require an invoice/receipt and are subject to tax and duty
- All furniture items are subject to tax and duty
- Alcohol is permitted duty free, as long as the amount imported does not exceed 19 bottles; anything above that amount is prohibited – all alcohol should be shipped separately
- Tobacco may be imported duty free, provided it is less than the specified amounts:
- 400 cigarettes
- 125 cigars
- 500 grams of tobacco
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
Some countries have strict regulations regarding how cars can be transported into the country and which cars are allowed to be imported. Here are the motor vehicle regulations for Chad:
- All new vehicles being imported into Chad are subject to tax and duty based on the value of the vehicle
- All used vehicles are exempt from duty
- Vehicles more than three years old are prohibited from being imported
- Import tax on new vehicles is subject to the make, model, year and value of the vehicle, or up to 60 percent of CIF
- The original Bill of Lading for motor vehicles imports must contain the follow information:
- Chassis number
- Engine number
- Cubic capacity
- Year of manufacture
- Brand
- Model
- The documents required for shipping a vehicle are:
- Original title and registration
- Original commercial/purchase invoice
- Valid driver's license
- Import license (for new cars only)
- Certificate of non-sale, stating that the customer has no intent on selling the vehicle
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
You won't want to leave your beloved pets behind when you move overseas. Before you set out for new lands, check the guidelines for importing pets and animals into your new country:
- Must possess a certificate of vaccination for rabies
- A health certificate is required that attests to animal's overall health and vaccination history (must be signed and dated by a veterinarian no more than 14 days prior to arrival in Chad)
To help you prepare for your move and ease you into your transition, we've provided you with a few links to learn more about the complicated international moving process: