SLIEPA can help guide you through the exporting process by providing you more information on export procedures. We have documented the following procedures for exports through the Queen Elizabeth II Quay:

• The exporter requests permission to export from the Commissioner for Customs at the National Revenue Authority.
• The exporter must engage the services of a custom clearing and freight forwarding (C&F) agency to prepare and process documentation through the Customs & Excise Department of the National Revenue Authority.
• The C&F agency submits an export declaration form together with all supporting documents and the applications letter for the Commissioner’s approval. The Chamber of Commerce issues certificates of origin for a fee of SLL 50,000 (USD 16.91) per shipment.
• The document is processed in the customs house. However, duties are collected only for diamonds, which carry a 3 percent payment.
• The document is then forwarded to the outdoor section at the port/quay.
• The officer-in-charge releases empty containers upon request for stuffing. Since the inception of the container scanning facility at the port, Customs no longer witnesses stuffing of containers. Customs now relies on the scanning report to verify content in the container.
• Containers are stuffed, and upon completion, the exporter informs the collector at the quay, authorizes scanning of unit for a fee of US $100/40ft and US $50/20ft containers.
• On receipt of the scanning report, the Collector will authorize the release of containers to Sierra Leone Port Authority (SLPA) for export.
• SLPA will only release containers for export on receipt of customs declaration form signed by a customs officer.

For more information, contact us at exportdevelopment@sliepa.org