NIGER

Switzerland-Niger bilateral relations

Niger is among the priority countries for international cooperation. In this country in the Sahel belt, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has been working for more than 35 years in support of rural development, in programs in the field of education and vocational training, and currently (in 2012) to address the food crisis plaguing the Sahel regions. The Division of Human Security (DSU) has also been contributing to peace policy in Niger since 2009. FDFA Secretary of State Yves Rossier paid an official visit to the African country between December 8 and 11, 2015.

 

Cooperation in the field of education

Researchers and artists from Niger can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

 

Business languages

French.

 

Weights and measures

Metric

 

Currency

National currency Franc CFA (CFA) = 100 Centimes (c). ISO Code: XOF

 

Customs Tariff

Harmonized system.

 

Import control

Importation is largely liberalized. This requires a so-called “Fiche Statistique.” Import licenses are required for non-liberalized goods. Goods must be sent before the license expires. Duration of the license: generally 6 months. Several pro-forma invoices are required to apply for import licenses. Certifications are not required.
There is a ban on imports, e.g., for drugs/stupefactants.
Currencies for payment of imported goods are available through the banks in charge of collections at the foreign exchange office (Office des Changes).
All imports above CIF values of 25,000 CFA must be handled through an authorized bank.
Required currencies are authorized on the basis of the import certificate. For this, import documents must have a customs clearance note from the customs authorities beforehand.
Business tax: 18%.

 

Pre-shipping inspection

A certificate of inspection (Attestation de Vérification) is required for all goods with a FOB value of 2 million CFA francs and above.

 

Payment terms and offers

Letter of credit is used with may frequency.
Billing in euros.
Offers in French language only.

 

Indications of origin

Not required on goods.

 

Marking/labeling

No special provisions for packages.
In addition to the traditional marking, we recommend: “Made in …” (if applicable).

 

Packaging

Sea freight packaging. Wood packaging of any kind must be chemically or mechanically treated against pest growth.

 

Patterns and samples of goods

Samples with no commercial value are exempt from customs duty.

 

Shipping and accompanying documents

Customary documents as well as:

(a) Commercial invoices in 3 copies with all traditional particulars, FOB and CIF value, gross and net weight, terms of delivery, exact description of goods, etc., in French, without asseveration. At the bottom of the invoice, indicate a statement to be signed by the exporter: “Nous certifions que les marchandises dénommées dans cette facture sont de fabrication et d’origine de Suisse et que les prix indiqués ci-dessus s’accordent avec les prix courants sur le marché d’exportation”;
b) Certificate of origin not required;
c) Certification traffic goods EUR. 1 or EU not required;
d) Postal packages and parcels with Air freight up to 20 kg: 1 foreign package card, 2 customs declarations (French/English);
e) Unsworn bill of lading. Order bill of lading with Notify address possible;
f) We recommend adding 2 copies of the parcel list in French with information on weight, contents, marks, number, etc.