Guinea-Bissau Import Duties & Taxes Explained

There is no official formal de minimis threshold for Guinea-Bissau, meaning most shipments are taxed regardless of value. While some carriers report an informal threshold around $15 USD, conflicting information exists so assume your shipment will be taxable to avoid surprises.

The standard VAT rate in Guinea-Bissau is 19%. This applies to almost all imported goods from outside the WAEMU region, including your shipment, and is calculated on the total CIF value plus any customs duties and levies.

You will likely pay a 20% Customs Duty, a 19% Import VAT, and approximately 2.5% in regional levies on most imported goods. These charges are calculated based on the total CIF value of your shipment, which includes the item cost, shipping, and insurance.

The 19% Import VAT is applied to the sum of your CIF value plus the Customs Duty and any other levies. This means the tax is charged on top of the duties, not just the original item price.

Most finished consumer goods like electronics and clothing are subject to a 20% Customs Duty under the WAEMU Common External Tariff. This duty is calculated on the CIF value of your shipment.

Yes, you may also encounter small regional community levies totaling about 1.5% and a statistical fee of roughly 1%. Additionally, carriers often charge a handling or brokerage fee for processing your customs paperwork.

Charges are collected by the General Directorate of Customs (Alfândegas) and the General Directorate of Contributions and Taxes (DGCI). The carrier delivering your shipment will typically collect these fees on behalf of the authorities before releasing the package.

Yes, because taxes are calculated on the CIF value, higher shipping costs directly increase your total duty and VAT liability. Ensure your shipment documentation accurately reflects the total cost including freight.

While estimates can be calculated using the 20% duty, 19% VAT, and regional levies on your CIF value, final charges are determined by customs and the carrier. You should budget for these costs as they are almost certain to apply.

Taxes are calculated based on the value in USD or XOF (CFA Franc), which is then converted as needed by the authorities. The carrier will typically collect the final amount in the local currency equivalent.