Export Gabon CoC Certification Process: Price, Fees, and Duration

Export Gabon CoC Certification Process: Price, Fees, and Duration

Gabon CoC Certification template.

Introduction to Gabon CoC Certification

The Gabonese Conformity Assessment Program (PROGEC), effective from August 1, 2015, is Gabon's pre-export product conformity certification program. The Gabon Standards Agency (AGANOR) has implemented a new product conformity assessment program for certain imported consumer goods. All regulated products covered under the PROGEC program must be accompanied by qualified test reports or certificates. This measure aims to prevent unsafe and poor-quality goods from entering the Gabonese market. For goods certified under PROGEC, a Gabon CoC certificate is issued, which is a necessary document for customs clearance at Gabon's destination port. Failure to provide these materials may result in inspection at the destination port, incurring high costs and potential delays. Starting from March 1, 2016, enforcement is mandatory.

Gabon CoC Certification Process and Required Documents

Determine if Export Products Require PROGEC Certification

All goods exported to Gabon (except exempted goods) require a CoC certificate, which is a necessary document for customs clearance at Gabon's destination port. (Please provide the product name and HS CODE to confirm if the product is exempted from inspection). No testing or inspection is required; direct shipment is acceptable.

List of Regulated Products for Gabon CoC Certification (PROGEC Certification)

Only the products listed below are exempt from this program:

Scrap military metals

Live animals

Newspapers

Re-imported goods

Personal property and repatriated items (including vehicles of residents returning to Gabon)

Parcel post and express shipments with no commercial value

Commercial samples

Personal gifts

Donations provided by foreign governments, institutions, or individuals during disasters

Imported gifts and supplies for embassy or consulate use

Imported products valued at less than $930 USD in total

The above product categories are for reference, and the Gabonese government may change the list of regulated products at any time.

Selecting Gabon PROGEC Inspection Method

Gabon PROGEC inspection has three methods:

ROUTE A: Shipment Inspection and Certification

This method is mainly suitable for exporters/producers who export to Gabon fewer than three times a year.

In Route A, goods intended for shipment to Gabon must undergo product performance testing (see step 4 for details) and on-site inspection before shipment to prove compliance with relevant standards, basic product requirements, or manufacturer specifications. This method is suitable for any trade group, and the steps for shipping and product certification are as follows:

Step 1: Submit Inspection Application Form by Exporter

The exporter must complete the Request For Certification (RFC) form and submit it to our operational center. The following documents are required to be submitted along with the RFC:

Product parameter data or detailed description of the product (indicating the expected use of the product) - (mandatory).

Copy of product technical specifications provided by the manufacturing factory (if available).

User/operation manual (if applicable).

Product production information, such as batch number, batch size, manufacturer name, production date, expiration date, manufacturer status, etc. - (if applicable).

Proforma Invoice.

Third-party test report (if available).

URC scan.

Note: The quality and completeness of the above documents will directly affect the time and cost of the entire inspection process.

Step 2: Review of RFC and Related Documents Submitted by Exporter

The institution will review the completeness of the submitted documents to:

Determine the applicable Gabonese product standards and/or equivalent international standards (must apply for applicable standards in advance).

Ensure compliance with basic requirements for health, safety, environment, etc.

Establish product risk profiles (to determine risk intervention levels).

Prepare inspection and testing instructions.

The institution generally replies to the exporter's inspection application within 48 hours and includes the following contents:

a. Missing documents (if any).

b. Basic requirements to be met (according to specified standards) and intervention level (e.g., informing the exporter where testing must be conducted).

c. Scheduled inspection date and timetable and confirmation from the exporter.

Note: Inspection should be arranged within 3 days after RFC review and all necessary application documents are completed by the exporter. If the exporter submits all required application documents in full for the first time, inspection can be arranged within 3 days after receiving all documents, unless the applicant requests a delay in scheduling inspection.

d. Other PROGEC-related requirements.

Step 3: Testing of Shipped Products

The inspector will randomly sample and package goods intended for export by the exporter and label them with appropriate identifiers for future product testing needs.

Product testing is limited to parameters that products must meet and applicable standards and can be performed at any of the following laboratories:

Independent laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Any laboratory or manufacturer's laboratory not accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards but must conduct testing experiments under the supervision of the inspector (this option is only applicable when no suitable laboratories are available locally).

On-site witnessed testing must be conducted by professionals familiar with the products and testing methods.

If testing is economically infeasible, such as when there are too many test items, the product value is low, or the product is unassembled mechanical products, etc., testing may be replaced by reviewing the following relevant documents:

Test reports provided by the product manufacturer.

Safety certification marks/quality certification marks/national license documents (such as CE marks, type test conformity reports, etc.).

Relevant quality management system certificates, etc.

Step 4: Goods Inspection by Designated Inspector

On-site inspection will be conducted according to the prepared inspection instructions, focusing on labels, packaging, product expiration date (if applicable), and checking the product against relevant test reports. Depending on the specific situation, emphasis will be placed on functional evaluations of the product.

After completing the on-site inspection, the inspector must immediately fill out a detailed inspection report, including any issues found during the inspection and suggestions for rectification, and provide a copy to the exporter. Each discrepancy issue identified in the report should be immediately brought to the exporter's attention.

Note: Completion of on-site inspection of products does not mean that the assessment process is complete. The conformity conclusion of the products will be made by the inspector after comprehensive evaluation of the on-site inspection report, test report, and relevant quality documents.

Step 5: Issuance of Final Inspection Certificate by PROGEC Collaborating Institution

Based on the received inspection report, test report/document review report, the institution will provide inspection results and issue a certificate (conformity certificate or non-conformity report) within 3 working days of receiving the report and final invoice.

Note:

If product performance testing is conducted, the final conclusion of product conformity will not be obtained until the completion of product testing.

Exporters can contact our business operations center to obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) or inquire about the results of product conformity certification for shipment arrangements.

Gabon CoC Certification On-site Inspection Requirements:

A designated on-site representative of the exporter must be appointed to handle on-site inspection matters and sign the on-site inspection report on behalf of the exporter (applicant). The exporter should be aware that the signature of the on-site representative has legal effect.

The exporter is obliged to provide the necessary equipment for on-site inspection and must be calibrated.

In cases involving sampling testing, the exporter must send samples to our institution as required by the inspector.

Please arrange necessary manpower and equipment to complete the unpacking, sampling, and repackaging of goods in a timely manner to avoid delays.

When shipping goods in full containers, the following requirements must be met:

Containers must arrive at the inspection site at the agreed inspection time.

Containers must be empty and not preloaded, and loading can only be done after inspection by the inspector.

The latches on the right side door of the container must be intact for sealing by the inspector.

Containers must be free from damage to prevent damage to the goods during transportation.

Changes to inspection time and location must be submitted to our institution in writing before 16:00 on the working day preceding the agreed date; otherwise, the inspection will be considered failed, and a new appointment for inspection will be required, with a retest fee charged.

If corrective actions are required for goods found during on-site inspection, and the corrective measures cannot be completed in a short period of time, a re-inspection must be arranged, and a retest fee must be paid.

Gabon Import documents include

A bill of lading and an invoice must accompany all goods entering Gabon.  Import permits and sanitary certificates are required for farm produce (including meat and poultry), and permits must also be secured for hazardous products (weapons, explosives, chemical products).  Gabon does not require an import license for other products.  As of February 2016, a certificate of conformity is required for regulated goods. 

Gabon Import Tariffs

Gabon and its neighbors follow the import tariff structure of Central Africa.  Import tariffs include:  

General Systems of Preference:  no import tariffs for goods produced within a CEMAC-member country. 

Common External Tariff:  5 percent for Category One products (e.g., basic products), 10 percent for Category Two (e.g., raw materials), 20 percent for Category Three (e.g., intermediate products such as most food), and 30 percent for Category Four (all other products). 

Processing Fee (Redevance d’utilisation du systeme informatique, RUSID):  can vary from 2%-80% of the cost of insurance and freight (CIF). 

The Value Added Tax (VAT) is generally 18 percent.  A reduced VAT of 10 percent is applicable to mineral water, cement, sugar, and chicken produced in Gabon.  Milk products, butter, margarine, cereals, medicine and medical supplies, and fertilizer are exempt from VAT.  Companies operating in the Special Economic Zone are exempt from customs taxes and some income taxes.  

Contact Information:

Rich Tel: 0755-26996194  Phone&Whatsapp:13530227809

rockycho.sz@gmail.com

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