We refer to previous member alerts regarding customs fines in Senegal.
There have been very recent reports of Senegalese custom authorities applying their customs code very strictly.
Typical examples appear to be the imposition of fines for failure to have bunker declaration forms completed by the time the boarding officer arrives onboard, or for additional pages attached to official declaration forms but without reference to the attachments on the official form.
The basis of the fine for alleged failure to declare bunkers is the value of bunkers multiplied by four – a very recent incident involved a fine in excess of 1.7 million Euros, imposed as a result of the bunker declaration not having been completed at the time the customs officer boarded the vessel.
We draw your attention to the following Member Alert from 2006, provided by Eltvedt & O’Sullivan:
Quote
In recent days the Dakar Customs Authorities would appear to be applying the existing Customs Code with increased vigour and are strictly imposing the penalties. It is possible that the Customs may have received instructions from higher government authorities to pay closer attention to the details contained in each ship’s declarations of manifests, ship stores and bunkers.
[…]
We would suggest, therefore, that a Master should:-
- prepare his Dakar custom’s declarations in good time, having already requested in advance the written confirmation of the latest requirements in this respect from his local agent.
- himself receive the Customs officers on board for formalities, in company with the ship’s agent.
- ensure that all consumables, including food, paint, stationery, crew personal effects etc. have been accurately declared.
- place all the customs papers in a separate file to be checked by the ship’s agent before their presentation to the Customs boarding officer.
If the Master has been unable to fully complete all the declarations in accordance with the latest Customs rulings before the ship is safely alongside, he should delay lowering the gangway until he is fully satisfied that all is finally in order.
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Please see attachment for examples and advice to masters.
Member Alert is published by The Swedish Club as a service to members. While the information is believed correct, the Club cannot assume responsibility for completeness or accuracy.