All cargo arriving to and departing from Burundi Cluster must be covered by below listed mandatory documents. These documents provide the relevant agencies with all information.

Acceptance – Import

*Weight: General weight limitation is 29 tons/20’DV (all included) and 31 tons/40’DV (All included)

There is no local overweight tax and vessels are not allowed to load overweight containers.

Dangerous Goods & OOG

Hazardous Cargo: According to IMO classification, some dangerous cargo (like explosives) shall be discharged in priority. Dar Es Salaam and Mombasa Ports will contact the local importer for the organization of priority discharge and immediate delivery.

Documentation

Following mentions are mandatory on the B/L: ORIGINAL, FREIGHT TO BE PAID AT, FREIGHT COLLECT or PREPAID. Signature of the Person Responsible at Port of Loading + date of B/L or Sea Waybill emission.

Destination local charges:

The following charges are accepted as Import local charges in Burundi

BL fee, delivery orders fee, manifest correction fee, Reefer containers plugged onto reefer points, lift on/off fee, genset in transit, detention and demurrage charges and local delivery charges.

The free periods, deposits, demurrage charges and any other “MSC” charge or tariff items are subject to change with or without specific notice, and the onus shall be on the Consignee/Clearing & Forwarding Agent to ascertain, prior to obtaining release/delivery of container or cargo, what the applicable rates are.

The free periods, deposits, demurrage charges and any other “MSC” charge or tariff items are subject to change with or without specific notice, and the onus shall be on the Consignee/Clearing & Forwarding Agent to ascertain, prior to obtaining release/delivery of container or cargo, what the applicable rates are.

Penalties:

In case any of the documentation is not in order upon arrival of the vessels at the Port of Discharge, the shipping line will be fined for non-compliance. Any penalty, costs and consequences will be debited to the offices of origin immediately for recovery from the shippers. These costs can’t be recovered from importers. 

Booking details must be submitted in writing through shipping instructions and must contain all valid details such as:

• Shipper’s name and contact details
• Consignee name and contact details
• Notify party and contact details
• Cargo details (commodity, weight, measurement, etc)
• MSDS (material safety data sheet) on mineral cargos & DG
• Shipper’s shipping instructions
• Container size
• Number and type of containers
• Loading and discharge port
• Haulage details.

Note : The ECTN is not mandatory for Burundi.  

Special Cargo Requirement  

- Hazardous: numbers UN (United Nations) and class. Attach hazardous stickers/labels on all four sides of the containers.
- OOG (Out of Gauge): cargo dimension, picture, and weight
- BBK (Break Bulk): cargo dimension, picture (identifying anchor point) and weight 

Restrictions 
- The importation and manufacture of narcotic drugs, firearms, ammunition, explosives, and items infringing copyrights.
- Export license required for some commodities such as vegetables.
Please refer as well to the Prohibited and Restricted Goods Under the Second and Third Schedule of the EAC Customs Management Act, 2004.

CHANGE OF DESTINATION AFTER VESSEL SAILING  

• Change of destination request by email or mail to commercial and / or customer departments.
• Surrender full set of original bill of lading in line office;
• Change of destination acceptance is subject to Head Office approval.
• Change of destination will be effective once written confirmation received from the shipper and shall be billed to. 

Telex Release

• Surrender full set of original bill of lading in MSC office;
• Fill the LOI (Letter of Indemnity) on shipper’s letter head with stamp + signature.