Superabsorbent polymer
Acrylic superabsorbent polymer in large packages, shipped in December 2021 and March 2022 in 40-foot High Cube containers.
Polymers and plastics
MARKETS · SENEGAL
Importing into Senegal from Tunisia: industrial raw materials for Dakar
MWB TRADING ships raw materials and packaging for industry in Senegal from Tunisia: superabsorbent polymer, nonwovens, plastic film on reels, elastic threads, adhesives, printing inks, bags and board in rolls, as well as machine spare parts. From November 2020 to October 2022, we shipped regularly to Dakar for manufacturers, by sea from Radès (Tunis) and Sfax, and by air from Tunis-Carthage.
This guide sets out the verified points for importing into Senegal: the electronic cargo tracking note (BSC) validated by the Senegalese Shippers’ Council, the prior import declaration (DPI) filed through the ORBUS single window, ECOWAS common external tariff duties and the 2020 law on plastic products, as well as our sea and air loading formats. A public report shows the loading of High Cube containers that left Sfax in March 2022.
- BSC
- electronic cargo tracking note required for imports by sea, validated by the Senegalese Shippers’ Council (COSEC); its number appears on the bill of lading
- DPI · ORBUS
- prior import declaration required above a FOB value threshold, lowered on 1 May 2024; filed before shipment through the ORBUS single window
- ECOWAS CET
- customs duty of 0 to 35% depending on the product category, plus statistical fee, community levies and 18% VAT
- 2020 plastics law
- import banned for certain single-use plastic products and for plastic waste
- Radès · Sfax → Dakar
- our sea shipments from 2020 to 2022, in 20-foot and 40-foot High Cube containers
- Tunis-Carthage → Dakar
- our air shipments, with a stop in Casablanca or Paris, for small quantities and spare parts
Sources: Senegalese Shippers’ Council, Germany Trade & Invest customs report (March 2025) and MSC shipper information (October 2026) for the BSC; Senegal Directorate General of Customs statement of 29 April 2024 for the DPI; Senegal customs and the ECOWAS Commission for duties and taxes; January 2020 law on plastic products; our export declarations, bills of lading and air waybills, 2020 to 2022. Checked in October 2026; to be confirmed with your freight forwarder before each shipment.
PRODUCT RANGES
The ranges we ship to Senegal
From November 2020 to October 2022, MWB TRADING shipped these product families to Dakar for manufacturers, by sea from Radès (Tunis) and Sfax, and by air from Tunis-Carthage. The materials travel on their own or combined in the same container.
Nonwovens
Nonwovens and leak barriers in several widths and weights, shipped in December 2021 and February 2022.
Plastic film on reels
Breathable film on reels, shrink film and tapes: 40-foot High Cube containers loaded mostly with breathable film in January 2021, then mixed loads until 2022.
Plastic packaging Polymers and plasticsElastic threads and adhesives
Elastic threads in several counts and production adhesives, shipped by sea with the other materials, or by air for small quantities.
Inks and packaging
Printing inks, polyethylene bags, polypropylene packaging film and grey board in rolls, combined with other materials in our loads.
Plastic packaging Industrial packagingParts and equipment
Machine spare parts, automation equipment and an inkjet printer, mostly sent by air.
ALSO AVAILABLE
The ranges we also offer for Senegal
For Senegalese manufacturers, these raw materials are available from Tunisia, bagged, in full containers or with other materials in the same load. Ask for the technical data sheets and safety data sheets with the offer.
Calcium carbonate
Bagged calcium carbonate, a mineral filler for plastics, paints and renders, loaded in 20-foot containers, on its own or with other materials.
Calcium carbonateRaw materials for paints
Pigments, iron oxides, talc, solvents and resins for paint and render manufacturers, which can be combined in the same container.
Raw materials for paintsChemicals and detergent raw materials
Industrial chemicals and raw materials for detergent manufacturing, offered with their safety data sheets, which set the transport conditions.
Industrial chemicals Raw materials for detergentsOUR SHIPMENTS
Our load for Dakar
The public report for Senegal: the loading of High Cube containers that left Sfax in March 2022, showing the products and their packaging.
Industrial raw materials
Reels, shrink film, elastic yarn, inks and packaging for a Dakar manufacturer: shipped from Sfax to Dakar in March 2022.
View the reportLOGISTICS AND DOCUMENTS
Importing through the port of Dakar
Ports and routes
Our sea shipments for Senegal left from Radès (Tunis) and Sfax and were discharged at the port of Dakar. Air shipments left Tunis-Carthage for Dakar, with a stop in Casablanca or Paris. If the goods are to go beyond Dakar, state the receiving location.
Loading formats
40-foot High Cube containers for bulky materials: polymer, nonwovens and film on reels; 20-foot containers for loads of adhesives, film and packaging; air freight for small quantities and spare parts.
Import documents
Goods imported into Senegal by sea must be covered, unless exempt, by an electronic cargo tracking note (BSC), prepared from the port of loading and validated by the Senegalese Shippers’ Council; its number appears on the bill of lading and the manifest. A prior import declaration (DPI) is compulsory above a FOB value threshold, lowered on 1 May 2024: it is filed before shipment through the ORBUS single window, and above a certain value the import must be domiciled with an approved bank. The commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin and insurance certificate, in French, complete the file, which is lodged by a licensed customs broker.
Inspection and conformity
Customs clearance is paperless, through the customs GAINDE system and the ORBUS single window; at the port of Dakar, the ORBUS Infinity platform has been running since February 2024. The BSC is used for risk analysis. Since April 2020, a law has governed plastic products: producing and importing certain single-use items (cups, lids, straws, sachets for water and drinks) is banned, as is importing plastic waste; check the status of your film and packaging before ordering. Safety data sheets accompany adhesives and inks.
What to specify
References, widths and weights of the materials, quantities per shipment, safety data sheets for adhesives and inks, the preferred mode of transport, sea or air, and the receiving location.
Availability, transport, lead times and documents are confirmed in each offer.
YOUR ENQUIRY FOR SENEGAL
Let’s prepare your next load for Dakar.
State your products, quantities, mode of transport and receiving location. Senegal is already selected; you can change it.
Chat on WhatsAppYOUR QUESTIONS
Your questions about importing into Senegal from Tunisia
Which cargo tracking note is needed for Dakar?
An electronic cargo tracking note (BSC, also called BESC or CTN). It is required for goods imported into Senegal by sea, except exempt products, and is validated by the Senegalese Shippers’ Council (COSEC) from information sent from the port of loading; its number must appear on the bill of lading. Your freight forwarder confirms the current procedure.
What is the DPI?
The prior import declaration. Customs require it, before shipment, for any import whose FOB value reaches a threshold that was lowered on 1 May 2024. It is filed online through the ORBUS single window; above a certain value, the import must also be domiciled with an approved bank. Ask us for the pro forma invoice needed to file it.
Which duties apply to materials from Tunisia?
Senegal applies the ECOWAS common external tariff: customs duty of 0 to 35% depending on the product category, plus the statistical fee, the WAEMU and ECOWAS community levies, then 18% VAT unless exempt. Confirm the tariff heading of each material with your freight forwarder.
Do you ship by air to Dakar?
Yes. From 2020 to 2022, film, adhesives, elastic threads and spare parts left Tunis-Carthage for Dakar by air, with a stop in Casablanca or Paris. Air freight suits small quantities and spare parts; the rest travels by sea.
Can you combine several materials in one load?
Yes. In December 2021, 40-foot High Cube containers from Radès held superabsorbent polymer, nonwovens, breathable film, shrink film, elastic threads and bags.
Can adhesives and inks travel with the other materials?
In our shipments, yes: adhesives and inks travelled by sea with the film and packaging, and some adhesives were also sent by air. Attach their safety data sheets; they determine the transport conditions.
