BURKINA FASO

Bilateral Relations Switzerland – Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is one of the priority countries for Swiss development cooperation. Modest economic cooperation exists between Switzerland and Burkina Faso.

Economic cooperation

Economic trade between Switzerland and Burkina Faso is limited. In 2014, Switzerland imported agricultural products worth CHF 1.1 million from Burkina Faso and exported CHF 6.58 million to Burkina Faso, mainly products from the agriculture, forestry and pharmaceutical industry, machinery and vehicles.

Contractual provisions

Burkina Faso – EU: Included in autonomous generic preferential customs.

Business languages

French.

Weights and measures

Metric system

Currency

Currency CFA franc (CFA) = 100 cents (c). ISO Code: XOF

Customs Tariff

Harmonized system; customs clearance based on CIF value.

Import control

The import of goods from EU states is almost completely liberalized. Import licenses are required for non-liberalized goods. Signed pro-forma invoices are required to apply for licenses. Certificates are not required.
Goods must be sent before the license expires. The duration of the license is generally 6 months. After 6 months: import bans exist for various animal products, consular invoices, components and fake goods.
Business tax: 18%.

Pre-boarding inspection

Shipment checks through Cotecna inspection institutions are normally required for imports. Quality quantity, price, customs value and import eligibility are checked. After the checks, the inspection company issues an inspection certificate and puts the inspection stamp on the invoices. The inspection declaration (IPR) also applies to currencies. The IPR document must be put in place at import for a value of XOF 500.00. There are pre-shipment inspection exceptions for shipments with an FOB value below 3 Mio. XOF and also for a number of products such as books, newspapers, medical instruments. Electronic tracking is mandatory. Without the BESC document, the cargo is not cleared through customs.

Payment terms and offers

Irrevocable and confirmed letter of credit required.
Euro billing. Bidding on FOB basis.

Indications of origin

Goods with indications that may lead to an erroneous assessment of provenance should be marked, where relevant, “Importé de Suisse” .

Marking/labeling

There are special labeling indications for bacteria, food and cigarettes. Otherwise indicate traditional data with the words “Made in …”.

Packaging

Sea freight packing, straw and hay are to be avoided. There are no special markings for packages. Normal marking is sufficient.

Patterns and samples of goods

Samples with no commercial value allowed duty free.
Food samples are subject to customs.

Shipping and accompanying documents

In addition to the usual documents:

(a) Commercial invoices in 3 copies in French with all traditional data, net and gross weight, FOB and CIF values, the precise description of the goods. Uncertified delivery terms. At the bottom of the invoice the exporter must provide a statement to be signed as follows: “Nous certifions que les marchandises dénommées dans cette facture sont de fabrication et d’origine de la Suisse et que les prix indiqués ci-dessus s’accordent avec les prix courants sur le marché d’exportation.” (We certify that the goods on this invoice are of Swiss manufacture and origin and that the prices shown above are in accord with current prices on the export market.”;
b) Certificate of Origin required in one copy. As origin: “Suisse” or “Union Européenne” as appropriate. Legalization must be done at the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Handicrafts;
c) Certificate of Movement of Goods 1 or EU upon request. Certificates are issued only if Burkina Faso applies cumulation for goods of EU origin;
d) Postal packages up to 31.5 kg: 1 international package card, 2 customs declarations in French, Air freight sticker, 3 invoices drawn up according to (a);
e) Shipments by ship: standard documents and 3 commercial invoices; Certificates of origin drawn up according to point (b);
(f) Order bills of lading not legalized; order bills of lading with notification address allowed;
(g) Inspection certificate on quantity and quality prices.