Clearing personal effects and household goods

Personal effects are not commercial cargo

Personal effects and commercial shipments follow different declaration and duty procedures. Declaring them the wrong way is a common cause of delay, so we advise on the correct classification before clearance begins.

How we help

• Advising whether your goods are treated as personal effects or as commercial cargo
• Preparing and lodging the declaration with SSRA
• Coordinating inspection and release at the border or in Juba
• Forwarding to your final address within South Sudan

What to prepare

• A detailed packing list that describes each item, with quantities
• The bill of lading, waybill or airway bill for the shipment
• A copy of the owner's passport or identity document
• Values for items where requested, and receipts for new or high-value goods
• Any permits needed for restricted items

Tips

Keep personal belongings and commercial goods in separate consignments, and list new items honestly rather than leaving them off. A clear, itemised list is the quickest way through inspection. Rules for specific items vary, so send us your list early and we confirm what applies.

See the full documents checklist, how import duty is worked out, and our freight forwarding service.