Importing into Guinea-Bissau from Tunisia: port of Bissau, CEE and customs clearance
MWB TRADING offers importers, distributors and companies in Guinea-Bissau products from Tunisia for buildings, power networks and water: electrical cables and wires, transformers, LED lighting, pipes and fittings, tiles and sanitaryware, cements and plasters. Goods leave from Radès (Tunis) or Sfax; our offers are made delivered to the port of Bissau, on CFR or CIF terms, in full 20 or 40-foot containers, or as groupage for small volumes.
This guide sets out the verified points for importing into Guinea-Bissau: the constraints of the port of Bissau, the electronic loading certificate (CEE), which serves as the cargo tracking note, customs clearance through a broker on ASYCUDAWorld, documents in Portuguese and the ECOWAS common external tariff. It also lists what to state in your enquiry.
the country’s main maritime gateway, on the north bank of the Geba; silting often limits draught to 7 or 8 m
CEE
electronic loading certificate, the local form of the cargo tracking note, required since 2011 and validated for the National Shippers’ Council; to be confirmed with your freight forwarder
Portuguese
language of the documents presented to customs, otherwise an official translation; a customs broker is mandatory
ECOWAS CET · WAEMU
national customs tariff based on the ECOWAS common external tariff; the country is a WAEMU member
Radès · Sfax
our departure ports in Tunisia
CFR · CIF
offers made delivered to the port of Bissau; FOB on request
Sources: Logistics Cluster logistics capacity assessment for Guinea-Bissau (March–April 2025), UNCTAD ASYCUDA programme (January 2026), notices from the agent mandated for the electronic loading certificate (2011, 2016 and 2021) and a specialised service provider’s guide updated in 2026. Checked in October 2026; to be confirmed with your freight forwarder before each shipment.
PRODUCT RANGES
The ranges we offer for Guinea-Bissau
These ranges from the MWB catalogue are available from Tunisia for delivery to the port of Bissau. References, required standards and quantities are confirmed in each offer; several product families can be grouped in the same container.
Electrical cables and wires
Low and medium-voltage power cables, control cables, building wires and cables. State the cross-sections, drum or coil lengths and the standard required for your project.
Distribution transformers and prefabricated MV/LV substations. State the rating, primary and secondary voltages and the type of installation, indoor or pole-mounted.
The port of Bissau, on the north bank of the Geba River, a short distance from the Atlantic, is the country’s main maritime gateway. Its approach channel has not been maintained for over 30 years: silting often limits draught to 7 or 8 m. The port has no shore cranes, so vessels discharge with their own gear, and it is congested during the cashew export season, from May to September. Regular services remain limited: containers leave from Radès (Tunis) or Sfax, with transhipment depending on the shipping line, and the route is confirmed in each offer.
Import documents
Cargo bound for Bissau must be covered by an electronic loading certificate (CEE), Guinea-Bissau’s form of the electronic cargo tracking note. Required since 28 October 2011 and confirmed in 2016 and again in 2021, it is issued at the port of loading, before the vessel sails, and validated for the National Shippers’ Council (CNC-GB); cargo arriving without a validated certificate is blocked for delivery. For the shipment, MWB TRADING prepares the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and technical data sheets. Documents are submitted in Portuguese, the official language, or with an official translation.
Customs clearance and conformity
Using a customs broker is mandatory. Since January 2026, the Directorate General of Customs has processed declarations on ASYCUDAWorld in all its computerised offices: the port of Bissau, the international airport and the São Domingos, Gabú and Bafatá offices. In 2025, the country did not yet have a foreign trade single window: each agency handles its own step. The national customs tariff is based on the ECOWAS common external tariff. Any standards, tests or certificates required by your project or by a public tender should be stated in your enquiry.
What to specify
References and quantities, required standards or specifications, packaging, delivery point in Guinea-Bissau and preferred Incoterm: CFR or CIF to Bissau, or FOB on request. If your specifications are written in Portuguese, attach them to your enquiry.
Availability, transport, lead times and documents are confirmed in each offer.
YOUR ENQUIRY FOR GUINEA-BISSAU
Let’s prepare your offer for Bissau.
State your products, quantities and delivery point. Guinea-Bissau is already selected; you can change it.
Your questions about importing into Guinea-Bissau from Tunisia
Which cargo tracking document is needed for Bissau?
The electronic loading certificate (CEE), the local form of the electronic cargo tracking note. It is issued at the port of loading, before the vessel sails, and validated for the National Shippers’ Council; cargo without a validated certificate is blocked in Bissau. Confirm the current procedure with your freight forwarder before each loading.
In which language should documents be submitted?
In Portuguese, the official language of Guinea-Bissau: a document in another language must come with an official translation. Customs clearance must go through a customs broker.
Which customs duties apply?
Guinea-Bissau’s customs tariff is based on the ECOWAS common external tariff; the country is also a WAEMU member. The classification of your products and the applicable taxes should be checked with your customs broker. No preference specific to Tunisian origin has been confirmed to date.
Can the port of Bissau take all vessels?
No. Silting in the channel often limits draught to 7 or 8 m and the port has no shore cranes: transhipment depends on the shipping line and the route is confirmed in the offer. From May to September, the cashew export season congests the port; allow for it in your schedule.
Can you group several products or ship a small volume?
Yes. Several product families can be grouped in the same 20 or 40-foot container, and small volumes can travel as sea groupage. For urgent small quantities, air freight from Tunis-Carthage can be considered on request.