Shipping and Removals in Angola

While it is possible for expats to ship their belongings to Angola, it isn’t always recommended, particularly not by sea. Shipping to Angola by air is much more efficient, albeit expensive.

Shipping by sea in Angola

While sending items to Angola by sea is much cheaper than air freight, it takes longer, and you will have to contend with port inefficiencies. As a country that relies heavily on the import of goods, problems such as congestion, constraints caused by processing and paperwork, and delays in clearance plague Angola’s port terminal management.

Often, container ships arrive but are not given permission to dock for weeks on end. Once goods are offloaded, expats may find there are long delays before items are cleared for release. During these periods, huge storage costs can occur, and damage may occur.

Customs and insurance in Angola

You should also note that customs clearance in Angola is complicated, and if you are shipping many goods to Angola, it’s best to hire an international clearing agent. We also recommend purchasing comprehensive insurance for your goods, though it’s best to go with an external insurance company rather than with the removals company’s insurance option.

Shipping pets to Angola

Shipping pets to Angola can be a long and involved process, but you’ll be delighted to find that the country is a pet-friendly destination. Most pets will have to be transported as cargo, but small pets may be allowed in the cabin depending on the airline you’re travelling with.

There are several requirements for bringing your pets to Angola, and we have listed them below:

• All pets must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant chip
• They must be vaccinated against rabies at least four to 12 months before the trip to Angola
• You must produce a recent health certificate from a vet stating that the pet is healthy.
• You will also have to acquire an import permit from the Veterinarian Authorities of Angola.

Additionally, dogs and cats have different vaccination requirements. We recommend carrying the import permit and health certificate with you, as Angolan officials may need to see them. Luanda has the widest selection of vet services in the country, so you will be spoilt for choice if you are moving to the city.