Mauritius

Mauritius and South Africa share close connections, and the expat community of South Africans living in Mauritius continues to grow. Though sending shipments to Mauritius from South Africa is generally straightforward, here are some things to bear in mind.

Country Information

Sending items to Mauritius – general advice

All goods must have attached the original Waybill, Commercial Invoice, and packing list – otherwise Customs delays will result. Proforma Invoices may be accepted for gifts and samples only.

Expect a minimum 48 hour delay for all goods where paperwork was not been imaged at origin or goods arrived manifested.

Clearance formalities may take up to 2 days after payment of Duty and taxes.

Undervalued shipments will be re-evaluated by Customs. Fines will apply and a custom offence will be raised.

Goods not cleared within 60 days of arrival will be handed over to the State Warehouse.

Undervalued goods will be re-evaluated by Customs. Fines will apply and a Customs offence will be raised. Only Commercial invoices are accepted, though: Proforma Invoices may be accepted for gifts and samples.

Goods not cleared within 60 Days of arrival will be handed over to State Warehouse. Clearance formalities may take up to 2 days after payment of duty and taxes in such case.

 All outbound shipments valued above MUR 2,000 need to have an export BOE prior uplift.

Please contact DHL for DTP shipments where duties and taxes exceed MUR 75,000.

Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic): All beverages must have clearance from The Ministry of Health prior to release. Production dates, expiry dates, and a full list of ingredients must be listed on the product outer backing, if not done shipment will be seized and destroyed.

Coal and firewood: Provide phystosanity and fumigation certificates as well as plant import permits from origin (by a competent authority).

Drugs (non-prescription) including vitamins, dietary, herbal, hair, nail, skin and health food products: Receiver needs import permits before shipping can take place.

Drugs (prescription); medical and dental supplies and equipment: Provide a full description of the medicines / datasheet / composition or a photocopy of the package to satisfy the requirements of the Mauritius Pharmacist Board. Import permit and release from the Mauritius Government Pharmacist required prior to shipping. Medical supplies, including syringes, need authorization prior to shipping. CIA scan all paperwork including datasheet, prescription, MSDS for Preclearance.

Electronic cigarettes: Only one unit may be imported for personal use, and will require an import license from the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life as well as authorization from the Tobacco Board prior to importation.

Electronic communications / telecommunications equipment using a band width or wifi: Subject to clearance and/or permit from the Mauritius Information Communication and Technology Authority prior to release.

Foodstuffs, including grain samples: Provide clearance from The Ministry of Health prior to release. Include production expiry dates and a full list of ingredients. For seasoning and grains: clearance is required from the Mauritius Ministry of Agriculture. Due to the Ebola Virus, the Mauritius Ministry of Health & Quality of Life has put a focus on passengers coming from the African Continent into Mauritius. Releases for foodstuffs reaching Mauritius through DHL will be done only once daily in the morning from Monday to Saturday. This means that clearance of foodstuff shipments reaching Mauritius through flights landing after 11h00 may be delayed.

Industrial equipment (including safety helmets and life jackets): Safety and protection equipment is subject to the control of the Mauritius Standards Bureau. Prior import for bulk trade is authorized on approval.

Liquids (non-dangerous): Any shipment containing non-dangerous liquids transiting Mauritius must be accompanied with a letter which states content is non-dangerous.

Measuring apparatus: Import permit required prior to shipping from Local Ministry of Commerce & Shipping (this includes weighing scales). If meant for Trade usage, provide authorization from the Metrology Division of the Ministry prior to importing.

Personal effects: All new items are subject to duties and taxes. Used items must have been in the possession of the owner for at least 6 months prior to sending to be duty exempt. Beverages, foodstuffs, cosmetics carry taxes no matter how long the owner has had them.

Plants and plant products including seeds: A Phytosanitary Certificate is compulsory. Subject to approval by the Mauritius Ministry of Agriculture. Expect delays of up to 2 days. Plants or parts thereof including fruits, nuts, roots and plant extracts, please contact Import Gateway with full description.

Telecommunications equipment, including mobile phones and walkie-talkies: License required from the Mauritius Information, Communication, Technology Authority prior to import. For mobile phones: include a detailed list of make, model, and IMEI number on the Commercial Invoice.

Tobacco: Provide Import Permit from The Tobacco Board prior to shipping.

Toys: Provide Conformity Certificate from country of production when importing.

Works of art (books, audio, games etc.): Provide Intellectual Property Right Certificate and approval by the Mauritius Authors Society Authority prior to importing. This includes trademarks registered in Mauritius.

X-ray machines: Please contact DHL prior to shipment for any licenses or permit requirements

Commodities considered as Documents

Mauritius Customs defines a document as general correspondence (business or private) as well as:

  • Advertising brochures / pamphlets
  • Airline tickets, issued / validated
  • Annual reports
  • Blank forms
  • Blueprints
  • Booklets, brochures (non-advertising)
  • Books: hardback / paperback for non-commercial use 1
  • Business cards
  • Calendars 1
  • Catalogues
  • Charts / graphs
  • Cheques, cashier (NI)
  • Deeds
  • Documents, general business
  • Invoices, not blank
  • Labels
  • Magazines, periodicals, journals 2
  • Manuals, technical
  • Manuscripts
  • Maps 3
  • Microfiche and microfilm
  • Music, printed or manuscript
  • Newspapers
  • Pamphlets
  • Passports
  • Personal mail
  • Photographs 1
  • Photographs as part of business reports
  • Plans / drawings – architectural / industrial / engineering purposes
  • Price lists
  • Price tickets for garments
  • Shipping schedules
  • Visa applications

 

  1. Max quantity: 10 pieces
  2. Max quantity: 2 pieces
  3. Max quantity: 1 pieces

NI = A negotiable instrument is a document guaranteeing the payment of a specific amount of money, either on demand, or at a set time, with the payer named on the document

Prohibited items

The following items are specifically not allowed to be sent with DHL to Mauritius. This is in addition to DHL’s Globally standard list of prohibited items which can be found here.

  • Electronic cigarettes meant for resale

Size and Weight notes

The maximum weight per shipment is 300 kg (660.0 lb). The maximum weight per piece is 70.0 kg (154 lb). Shipments exceeding these weight limits may incur additional delays. The maximum dimensions of each shipment are length: 120.0 cm (47 in); height: 120.0 cm (47.0 in); width: 100.0 cm (39.0 in). Pallets are accepted.

 

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