CROSS BORDER HAULAGE BETWEEN TWO WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES: THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Cross border haulage is worlds apart from Local or interstate haulage. The documentation requirement alone makes all the difference. It is the sound knowledge of the intricacies involved in putting the right papers together and positioning the right agents at the border points that defines the success level of haulage firms engaged in the transportation of cargoes across national borders.

The basics are what we present in this short material.

On the side of the Cargo Owners (i.e. Manufacturer):

– Has the Company’s product(s) been categorized under ETLS (ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme)? If yes, do they have necessary certificates that will authenticate this categorization?

– If they have ETLS, the duty payable will be adjusted downward meaning lower tariff.

CCI Processing: Clearance Certificate of Inspection:-

A freight forwarding agent has to be contacted to process the CCI prior to loading. CCI documents must accompany every cargo before it will be cleared for passage at the border. The Company should have a freight forwarding agent (like a well-known one based in Apapa) in its vendor list for services like this.

At Benin Republic (across the border):- a paid-agent has to be in place to facilitate issuance of BIVAC (Bureau Veritas Certificate of Inspection).

Duration of Return Trip to Republic of Benin: Three (3) Days provided all required documentations are in place.

Estimated Freight Charges:

Without Documents: Meaning Haulage firm will process all required docs: N500,000.00 – N600,000.00 (30 Ton Cargo)

With Documents (Excluding documents which the Haulage Firm will still process on its own):- N300,000.00 – N450,000.00 (30 Ton Cargo). Of this amount, the haulage firm will spend approximately N60,000.00 – N80,000.00 on documents.

Other Documentation Requirements:

– Laisse passé – Travel Documents

– ECOWAS Insurance Certificate

– Driver must have Int’l Driver’s License.

Our ardent readers may want to assist us in firming this material up through their contributions. We have barely scratched the surface with the details here.