Web Alert: Dakar: reinforcement of customs controls affecting vessels

Members are advised that there has been a reinforcement of the customs control exercised by the local customs authorities in Dakar. The changes include a new requirement to declare the quantities of CO2 onboard the ship together with the foam and extinguishers. Previously such items were ignored by the customs authorities, but failure to declare them may now result in considerable fines.

A local correspondent has issued advice on how vessels may best avoid such fines, including a helpful list of items which should be declared to customs and the legal basis on which most of the fines are based; specifically Article 74 of the local Customs Code. An English translation of Article 74 is seperately attached to this web alert.