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Angola Waiver CNCA Certificate Services
Waiver requirements for Angola/CNCA Certificate
A CNCA (Conselho Nacional de Carregadores) certificate is required for all shipments going to Angola. Shipper/ forwarder must obtain the loading certificate from a CNCA agent, before loading the cargo.
Shipping Ports in Angola
- Luanda
- Cabinda
- Lobito
- Soyo
- Namibe
To know more about Shipping through the above ports into Angola – contact us directly
Pre-Shipment Inspection
As of 12th June 2013, the Angolan authorities decided that imported cargo to Angola no longer requires pre-shipment inspection. Shippers should be explicit with cargo descriptions to avoid delays in customs.
Information and documents required for creating a CNCA certificate
- Bill of Lading (Draft B/L is allowed)
- Commercial invoice incl. freight charges in USD or EURO
- Freight invoice in the same currency (not needed when the freight is specified on the commercial invoice)
- Freight invoice in the same currency (not needed when the freight is specified on the commercial invoice)
- DU form (Documento Único Provisório) provided by importer
- ETS & ETA
- Taxpayer number of importer (mentioned on NIF card)
- Country of Origin of the Cargo
Shipping goods exempted from CNCA certificate
None to be known
Prohibited Goods for Import to Angola
- Used vehicles more than 3 years old
- Heavy vehicles more than 5 years old.
- Genetically modified or transgenic grains and seeds, unless destined for Food Aid programs.
- Non-iodized salt.
- Rubber-made yo-yo water ball toys.
- Food containing saccharine.
- Gambling machines prohibited by law, including roulette.
- Plants coming from areas affected by phylloxera or other epiphytic disease.
- Pornographic material and other derived products.
- Medicines and other generic substances harmful to public health.
- Counterfeit literature and artistic works.
- Used vehicles more than 3 years old
- Counterfeit stamps.
- Counterfeit coffee.
- Live poultry and hatching eggs originated from Asian and European countries, due to outbreaks on highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu disease).
- Distilled beverages containing essences or recognised harmful products such as absinthe and ether derived products.
- Crates container various types of merchandise and showing a single marking, not presented with a declaration stipulating the quantity and total weight of crates/packs.
- Animals and by products originated from the following areas affected by epizootics: Meat of swine and by products of swine origin from South Africa due to outbreaks of classical swine fever; Live cloven hoofed animals (bovine animals, buffaloes, goats, swine, sheep, antelopes etc.) and animal products thereof, originated from the State of Mato Grosso in Brazil and its neighbouring states like Mato Grosso,Sao Paolo, Parana, Goias and Minas Gerais, due to outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Restrictive Goods Shipping to Angola
- Cigarette papers, and other materials used in cigarette filters – Can only be imported by licence holders.
- Medicines which containers do not state active agents – cannot be imported without authorization from the Angolan Health Ministry.
- Explosives intended for the mining industry.
- Fireworks and explosives cannot be imported without the authorization from the Ministry of Interior.
- Pharmaceutical substances cannot be imported without authorization from the Health Ministry.
- Card games must be sealed as per the regulation enforced.
- Dogs must be immunised against hydrophobia.
- Weapons and ammunition cannot be imported without authorization from the Ministry of Interior
- Radio, transmitters, receivers and other devices cannot be imported without authorization from the National Post Authorities.
- Importation of denatured pure alcohol must be approved by the Ministry of Health.
- Instruments to distill spirits cannot be imported without authorization from the Cabinet.
Charges for Angola CNCA Certificate
For creating an Angola CNCA certificate different rates are applicable. This depends on the Port of Loading and type of shipment, like LCL, FCL, Breakbulk or RORO.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an Angola CNCA certificate, and is it mandatory for all shipments to Angola?
A CNCA (Conselho Nacional de Carregadores) certificate, also known as an ARCCLA certificate or Loading Certificate (LC), is mandatory for all commercial sea freight shipments destined for any Angolan port, including Luanda and Lobito. Required by Presidential Decree No. 19/94 since January 1994, every Bill of Lading must be accompanied by a validated CNCA Loading Certificate. Without it, cargo cannot be cleared at the destination port and severe financial penalties apply. Al Sharqi is an authorized CNCA certificate service provider for Angola.
What documents are required to obtain an Angola CNCA loading certificate?
To apply for an Angola CNCA certificate through Al Sharqi, you will need: a commercial invoice in USD or EUR, a packing list, a draft Bill of Lading, a DU form (Documento Único Provisório / Import License provided by the importer), HS codes for all goods, and a freight invoice in the same currency if freight charges are not on the commercial invoice. The DU document is mandatory for all CNCA applications and must be valid (not expired, it has a 60-day validity period from issuance).
What is the difference between a CNCA certificate and an ARCCLA certificate for Angola?
The CNCA certificate (Conselho Nacional de Carregadores de Angola) and the ARCCLA certificate (Agência Reguladora de Certificação de Carga e Logística de Angola) refer to the same mandatory loading document for shipments to Angola. The document was originally commissioned under the CNCA name and later administratively restructured under ARCCLA. Both terms are used interchangeably in the shipping and freight forwarding industry. Al Sharqi handles the full CNCA/ARCCLA application process on behalf of shippers and freight forwarders.
When must the Angola CNCA certificate be obtained , before or after loading?
The Angola CNCA Loading Certificate must be validated and obtained before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the port of origin. According to Angola customs regulations, the CNCA certificate must be validated at least five days before the vessel's estimated arrival at the Angolan port. Failure to present a hard copy of the valid CNCA at the destination port will result in cargo being unable to clear customs and may incur heavy penalties equivalent to double the certificate cost plus regulatory charges.
Are there goods exempt from the Angola CNCA / ARCCLA certificate requirement?
Yes, certain cargo categories may be exempt from the Angola CNCA requirement, including shipments with a total FOB value below USD 5,000, goods shipped under a Temporary Regime, and some diplomatic or government consignments. Additionally, since June 2013, Angola no longer requires mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) for imports. However, shippers should always verify their specific cargo exemption status with Al Sharqi's Angola trade compliance specialists, as regulations can change.
What is the Documento Único (DU form) and why is it required for the Angola CNCA certificate?
The Documento Único Provisório (DU form), also known as Angola's Import License, is a compulsory document for all CNCA certificate applications from February 2015 onwards. It is provided by the importer (consignee in Angola) and must be valid at the time of the CNCA application, it expires 60 days from the date of issuance. The DU form contains the HS code (8 digits) and must be incorporated into the CNCA application. Al Sharqi guides both exporters and freight forwarders through the full documentation process for Angola-bound shipments.