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The Gambia - Import Regulations & Compliance

The Gambia (GM) Cargo Import Regulations & Pre-Shipment Mandates

Cargo compliance directory for ocean shipments from China to African seaports: mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Notes, PVoC conformity inspection schemes, vehicle age limits, and Ocean B/L print rules.

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The Gambia

Accepted Documentation Languages: en
Foreign consignee not accepted Right-hand drive prohibited Vehicle limit: 10 yr CTN required

B/L Print Requirements

Mandatory text on Ocean B/L

  • • CTN Number, 6-digit HS Code, and consignee Gambian TIN mandatory on B/L and manifest.
  • • Ocean freight must be prepaid.
Line-item requirement

CTN number and consignee TIN must appear on the face of the B/L and manifest. Physical street address and local telephone number required.

Inspection & Certificates

Pre-loading inspection & filing

  • • CTN must be validated via GPA-appointed authorized agents prior to vessel departure.
  • • Food and pharmaceutical products require prior import permits from FSQA.
Tracking Note Authority: Gambia Ports Authority (GPA)

Cargo & Standards

Labeling, vehicles & packaging

  • • Passenger vehicles: maximum 10 years from manufacture
  • • Right-hand-drive vehicles are strictly prohibited.
  • • English product labeling mandatory on all consumer commodities.
  • • Official Veterinary Health Certificate and prior FSQA import permit mandatory for all meat products.
  • • Motor vehicles older than 10 years face steep environmental surcharges.
  • • ISPM 15 heat treatment stamp required on wooden packaging.
  • • ISPM 15 heat-treated stamp required on all wooden packaging.

Shipper & Consignee

Where this destination differs from standard practice

  • • Foreign consignees are not accepted — a locally-registered entity must be named.

Consignee must be a registered Gambian commercial entity with a valid TIN issued by GRA. "To Order" B/Ls are permitted provided the Notify Party is the registered local buyer with complete physical address, phone number, and TIN printed on the B/L. PO Box addresses alone are rejected.

Universal Vehicle Documentation Mandate: For all motor vehicle and rolling cargo shipments, the 17-character VIN/Chassis Number, Engine Number, Make, Commercial Model, Year of Manufacture, and Gross Weight must be explicitly printed on the Ocean Bill of Lading.

Non-Compliance Risk at Destination

Cargo arriving without a validated CTN incurs a penalty equal to double the certificate fee plus an administrative fine at Port of Banjul.

Book Shipment to The Gambia →
Operational Workflow

Compliance Timeline for The Gambia

Follow this 3-step sequence from container stuffing through to port clearance.

Stage 1

Before Container Loading

  • ✓ Confirm commercial invoice and packing list accuracy with consignee.
  • ✓ Verify vehicle age against the applicable statutory limit (10 yrs passenger).
  • ✓ Confirm vehicle is NOT right-hand drive before booking.
  • ✓ Confirm consignee is a locally-registered entity — foreign consignees are not accepted at this destination.
  • ✓ Verify ISPM 15 heat-treated stamp on all wooden crates, dunnage, and pallets.
Origin Action Point
Stage 2

Prior to Sailing

  • ✓ Inscribe validated CTN certificate number onto the Ocean B/L text and carrier manifest. (Gambia Ports Authority (GPA))
  • ✓ Ensure exact consignee Tax ID / Registration Code and 6-digit HS Code are printed on B/L.
  • ✓ Submit SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) to loading terminal before yard cutoff.
Documentation Mandate
Stage 3

Port Clearance at Destination

  • ✓ Submit validated CTN electronic tracking note to destination customs authority.
  • ✓ Collect Delivery Order (DO) upon completing Release verification.
Destination Delivery Point
Printable Regulatory Dossier

Download Compliance Guide for The Gambia (PDF)

Generate a practical, print-ready compliance document complete with statutory B/L clauses, ECTN certificate agencies, vehicle age ceilings, and station phone contacts.

Verified Compliance Intelligence

The Gambia - Frequently Asked Questions