Prior Import Declaration (DPI)
Mandatory formality in several African countries requiring a declaration of intention to import before shipping.
Prior Import Declaration (DPI)
DPI is a mandatory administrative formality in many African countries. It requires the importer to declare their intention to import to the competent authorities before shipping the goods.
Countries concerned
The DPI (or its variants: Import Declaration, Import Intention, Product Identification Sheet) is required in particular in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea, Mali and in most UEMOA/CEMAC countries.
Objective
Allow authorities to check in advance the regulatory conformity of the product, control declared values, plan customs revenues and check any import licenses.
Content
The IPR contains information on the importer, foreign supplier, detailed description of the goods, tariff classification, value, Incoterm and country of origin.
Pre-shipment inspection
In some countries, DPI is linked to a Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) program, carried out by approved companies (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Cotecna, Intertek) to verify the quality, quantity and value of the goods.
Advice for exporters
Exporters to Africa should systematically check the IPR requirements of the destination country. A shipment without valid DPI will be blocked at customs clearance.