Tunisia
B/L Print Requirements
Mandatory text on Ocean B/L
- • Detailed commercial cargo description, 6-digit HS Code, consignee Matricule Fiscal, and Code en Douane mandatory on B/L.
- • Ocean freight must be prepaid.
Consignee Matricule Fiscal and Code en Douane must appear on the B/L. Sea waybills are accepted only with bank approval under documentary credit. For motor vehicles: VIN/chassis number, make, model, year of manufacture, and engine displacement must appear on the B/L.
Inspection & Certificates
Pre-loading inspection & filing
- • Certificate of Conformity issued via INNORPI accredited inspection bodies for regulated industrial and consumer goods.
- • Import title domiciled prior to shipment departure.
Cargo & Standards
Labeling, vehicles & packaging
- • Passenger vehicles: maximum 5 years from manufacture
- • Commercial vehicles (trucks, buses): maximum 5 years from manufacture
- • Right-hand-drive vehicles are strictly prohibited.
- • French or Arabic labeling mandatory on retail packaging.
- • Halal certificate compliant with Standard NT 115.01 and DGSV approval mandatory for meat and animal-derived food products.
- • Used motor vehicles restricted to 5 years maximum age.
- • Wooden packaging requires ISPM 15 stamp.
- • 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.
- • Generic "to order" is not accepted — only "to order of [named bank]" is permitted.
The consignee on the B/L must be a registered Tunisian corporate entity with an active Matricule Fiscal and Code en Douane — foreign consignees are strictly prohibited. "To Order" B/Ls must be consigned strictly to "To Order of [Named Tunisian Bank]". PO Box addresses are rejected.
Non-Compliance Risk at Destination
Uncertified technical and consumer goods are held for laboratory analysis at Radès port, incurring heavy demurrage. Manifest corrections requested within 72 hours of arrival incur a minimum $500 customs fine.
Compliance Timeline for Tunisia
Follow this 3-step sequence from container stuffing through to port clearance.
Before Container Loading
- ✓ Complete pre-shipment inspection (PVoC / CoC) via INNORPI / Ministry of Trade Accredited Bodies (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Cotecna, TÜV Rheinland, Intertek) before cargo is stuffed.
- ✓ Verify vehicle age against the applicable statutory limit (5 yrs passenger / 5 yrs commercial).
- ✓ 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.
Prior to Sailing
- ✓ Generic "to order" is not accepted — only "to order of [named bank]" is permitted.
- ✓ 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.
Port Clearance at Destination
- ✓ Present original Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to destination standards inspectors.
- ✓ Collect Delivery Order (DO) upon completing Release verification.
Download Compliance Guide for Tunisia (PDF)
Generate a practical, print-ready compliance document complete with statutory B/L clauses, ECTN certificate agencies, vehicle age ceilings, and station phone contacts.