Shipping from Dubai to Senegal almost always means a container from Jebel Ali to the Port of Dakar, with air cargo to Blaise Diagne airport for urgent goods. Before the ship arrives, the cargo needs a BESC cargo tracking note from the Senegalese Shippers' Council (COSEC). At Dakar, a licensed customs broker clears it and the importer pays ECOWAS duty of 0% to 35%, plus levies and 18% VAT. This guide covers ports, modes, documents, duty, Mali transit and each step from Dubai to your consignee.
Shipping from Dubai to Senegal at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main UAE load port | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) |
| Main Senegal port | Port of Dakar (SNDKR); container terminal run by DP World |
| Main cargo airport | Blaise Diagne International (DSS), about 38 km from the port |
| Modes | FCL, LCL, flat rack and breakbulk, vehicles, dangerous goods, air cargo |
| Published sea transit | Quickest listed Jebel Ali to Dakar option: 29 days 14 hours with 2 transfers (Fluent Cargo) |
| Customs authority | Direction generale des douanes (Douanes senegalaises) |
| Clearance system | GAINDE electronic customs platform; ORBUS single window for trade documents |
| Cargo tracking note | BESC (also called BSC) from COSEC, required before the cargo arrives |
| Duty | ECOWAS Common External Tariff: 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 35% of CIF value |
| Levies on top | Statistical fee 1%, community solidarity levy 1%, ECOWAS levy 0.5%, COSEC levy 0.4% for sea cargo |
| VAT | 18% single rate, except exempt products |
| Inland transit | Dakar is a transit port for cargo to Mali (Bamako) |
Which mode should you use from Dubai to Senegal?
Most cargo from Dubai to Senegal moves by sea. Air cargo is for urgent, light or high-value goods. There is no road option on this lane.
| Your cargo | Best mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A full container or more of general goods | FCL by sea | Lowest cost per unit, box stays sealed to Dakar |
| A few pallets or cartons | LCL by sea | You pay for the space you use |
| Cars, pickups and trucks | Container or ro-ro | Containers suit a few units; ro-ro suits driven vehicles and machinery |
| Machinery, steel, generators, oversized pieces | Flat rack, open top or breakbulk | Fits cargo that does not go in a standard box |
| Chemicals, batteries, aerosols, perfumes | DG container or DG air | Needs carrier acceptance before booking |
| Samples, spare parts, phones, urgent stock | Air cargo | Days instead of weeks, higher cost per kilo |
A simple decision rule: if the goods must be in Dakar within two weeks, price air. If not, start with sea and compare FCL and LCL once you know the volume and weight.
Sea freight from Dubai to Senegal: ports, FCL and LCL
Sea freight from Dubai to Senegal loads at Jebel Ali. Our Jebel Ali port shipping guide covers the terminals, cut-offs and export steps there. On the Senegal side, almost all container cargo discharges at Dakar.
The Port of Dakar
Dakar is run by the Port Autonome de Dakar, a public body. DP World runs the container terminal under a 25-year concession signed in October 2007, and describes it as the only container terminal in Senegal. DP World lists the terminal at 15 hectares, 3 berths, a 13 m draft, 6 quay cranes, 560 reefer plugs and a capacity of 900,000 TEU. The terminal has rail and road links inland.
DP World is also building a new deep-water port at Ndayane, about 50 km south of Dakar. Phase 1 has an 840 m container quay, an 18 m draft and 1.2 million TEU a year of capacity, with completion expected by 2028. Until it opens, plan on Dakar.
FCL or LCL?
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube. It suits larger volumes, heavy goods and cargo you do not want handled with other shipments.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a box with other shippers. It is packed at a container freight station in the UAE and unpacked in Dakar, so your release also depends on the rest of the box being cleared.
Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs shows where the break-even sits, and our sea freight service page explains what we book from the UAE.
Transit times and sailings
Transit time depends on the carrier and on where the cargo is transshipped. Fluent Cargo's schedule data lists its quickest Jebel Ali to Dakar option at 29 days 14 hours with 2 transfers, on CMA CGM services, sailing every 2 to 4 weeks. It gives the sea distance as 6,492 nautical miles. Other sites quote very different figures for this lane, from 25 days to 50 days, so always check the estimated arrival on the actual booking before you promise a date to your buyer.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually book from Jebel Ali to Dakar, the usual transshipment hub, and our typical port-to-port days]
Vehicles, breakbulk and dangerous goods to Senegal
Cars, pickups and trucks
Vehicles need extra planning. Senegal customs publishes cumulative tax rates for vehicles, which add duty, levies, VAT and a registration fee into one figure. These are the rates for vehicles arriving by sea.
| Vehicle type | Cumulative rate, by sea |
|---|---|
| Used passenger cars (HS 87 03) | 48.97% |
| New passenger cars | 47.54% |
| Used goods vehicles (HS 87 04) | 36.81% |
| New goods vehicles | 35.50% |
| Special-purpose vehicles (87 05) and road tractors | 30.74% |
| Crawler tractors and walking tractors | 26.99% |
Customs also sets the FOB value and freight it accepts for vehicles, and it applies an age limit to used vehicles. Check the age and the customs value with the consignee's broker before you buy a car in Dubai for Senegal.
Breakbulk and project cargo
Cargo that is too tall or wide for a box goes on flat racks or open tops. Cargo that does not fit a container at all moves as breakbulk. DP World says its Dakar terminal handles out-of-gauge project cargo. A useful rule: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container service gives you more sailings. If not, the breakbulk sailing date drives the whole plan. We collect drawings, weights and lifting points, agree lashing with the carrier and plan the UAE road move to the quay. See our break bulk and project cargo service.
Dangerous goods
DG cargo must be packed, marked and declared under the IMDG Code for sea or IATA rules for air. DP World lists IMDG handling among its Dakar yard services. You need the UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group, a safety data sheet, a signed DG declaration and UN-approved packaging. Our dangerous goods shipping team gets carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing, and sends the DG data to the consignee's broker early.
Air cargo from Dubai to Senegal
Air cargo lands at Blaise Diagne International (DSS). Fluent Cargo lists a direct Emirates freighter from Al Maktoum (DWC) to DSS every 1 to 2 weeks, with a flight time of about 9 hours 45 minutes. From Dubai International (DXB) it lists one-stop services every 1 to 2 days on Emirates and on carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and Air France.
Air freight is priced on chargeable weight, the higher of actual weight and volume weight. The customs rules in Senegal are the same as for sea, except that the COSEC levy and BESC apply to sea cargo. See our air cargo service for what we arrange from Dubai.
Senegal customs: who clears, which systems, which documents
Senegal's customs nomenclature is based on the ECOWAS Common External Tariff. Clearance is almost fully electronic through GAINDE, the customs data platform, and pre-clearance documents such as permits and certificates are sent electronically before the declaration.
Who can file the customs declaration?
Goods with a customs value up to 200,000 CFA francs can be declared by their owner. Above that, you need a licensed customs broker (commissionnaire en douane agree) or a specific authorisation to declare. In practice, almost any commercial shipment is above that value, so it is cleared by a Senegalese broker. The importer also needs a NINEA tax number. We work with the consignee's broker or a clearing agent in Senegal.
Is a BESC (BSC) required for shipments to Senegal?
Yes, for sea cargo. COSEC describes the BESC (Bordereau Electronique de Suivi des Cargaisons) as a mandatory document for goods going to Senegal, and it must be issued before the cargo arrives. French customs' export guide for Senegal also lists the BSC from COSEC among the documents needed for sea imports.
- The applicant needs a BESC account with COSEC, opened with the company's NINEA and trade register number (RCCM), and a funded balance.
- The file needs the bill of lading, the commercial invoice and the freight invoice if freight is billed separately.
- COSEC checks the file and makes the validated BESC available online, or flags errors for correction.
COSEC's BESC portal says the data is sent by the shipper's agent at the port of loading. Agree at booking who files it, the Dubai side or the Senegal side, so it is ready before the vessel arrives.
Pre-shipment declaration and inspection
Under Senegal's import verification programme, the importer must file a prior import declaration (DPI) before shipment when the FOB value is 1,000,000 CFA francs or more. At 3,000,000 CFA francs or more FOB, the goods are also checked in the country of origin or shipment, and an attestation of verification (AV) is issued. These thresholds come from a 2020 French customs guide, so confirm them with the broker. If an inspection is needed in Dubai, we hold the cargo until the inspector has seen it.
What documents do you need to ship to Senegal?
| Cargo | Core documents | Often also needed |
|---|---|---|
| All commercial cargo | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin, insurance certificate | BESC (sea), DPI and AV above the value thresholds, importer's NINEA |
| Goods from outside the CFA franc zone | Core set | Import certificate and foreign exchange undertaking (attestation d'importation et engagement de change) |
| Food products | Core set | Food import declaration (DIPA) and a health or phytosanitary certificate |
| Medicines | Core set | Import authorisation for medicines |
| Radio and telecom equipment | Core set | Approval from the telecoms regulator (ARTP) |
| Petroleum products | Core set | Import licence from the energy ministry |
| Dangerous goods | Core set | DG declaration, SDS, carrier acceptance |
| Vehicles | Core set | Title and technical documents, year of manufacture |
Customs duty and VAT when you ship from Dubai to Senegal
ECOWAS CET duty bands
Senegal charges the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, adopted with five bands on 25 October 2013. The duty is a percentage of the CIF value, and the band depends on the HS code of the goods.
| Band | Duty | ECOWAS description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0% | Essential social goods |
| 1 | 5% | Goods of primary necessity, raw goods and capital goods |
| 2 | 10% | Intermediate goods and inputs |
| 3 | 20% | Final consumption goods or finished goods |
| 4 | 35% | Specific goods for economic development |
Most finished consumer goods shipped from Dubai, such as electronics, clothing, furniture and household goods, fall in the 20% band. Check the exact code in the tariff files on douanes.sn, or use the duty simulator on the customs e-services page.
Levies and VAT on top of duty
| Charge | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical fee (RS) | 1% of CIF | Third-country imports, including duty-free goods |
| Community solidarity levy (PCS) | 1% of CIF | Third-country imports |
| ECOWAS community levy | 0.5% of CIF | Imports from third countries |
| COSEC levy | 0.4% | Sea imports only |
| VAT | 18% | Most goods, except exempt products |
Goods from the UAE are third-country imports, so all of these apply. Goods made elsewhere and shipped through Dubai pay according to their real origin, so the certificate of origin must match the goods.
Excise and special taxes
Some goods carry excise on top. French customs' guide lists, among others, 15% on cosmetics, 50% on alcoholic drinks, 5% on soft drinks, 5% on coffee, tea and juices, and 65% on tobacco. A 10% import tax can apply to some foods when their import price is at or below a trigger price. These rates date from a 2020 guide, so ask the broker for the current figure on your product.
Restricted and controlled goods
These groups cause the most holds at Dakar. Send us the HS code and description of each line before booking, and we flag what needs a permit.
| Goods | What applies |
|---|---|
| Reinforcing steel, tomato concentrate, wheat flour, refined oil, iodised salt | Must meet Senegalese standards (Association senegalaise de normalisation) |
| Food products | DIPA declaration, health certificates, origin marking |
| Medicines | Import authorisation |
| Radio transmitters and receivers | ARTP approval |
| Petroleum products | Energy ministry import licence |
| Gold | Ministry of Finance approval |
| Food, batteries, alcohol and cigarettes | Mandatory marking for sale in Senegal |
| Goods labelled to look Senegalese-made | Prohibited marking |
| Used vehicles | Age limit and customs reference values |
Transit cargo to Mali through Dakar
Dakar is a gateway for landlocked Mali. Cargo for another country moves under a customs transit regime: a transit document (acquit-a-caution), a bank guarantee and customs tracking up to the exit office. The Bamako consignee's agent usually manages this leg.
Carrier free time is different for transit boxes. Maersk's Senegal page, for example, gives transit cargo to Bamako 10 days of demurrage and 23 days of detention free time for dry containers. Book the bill of lading with the correct final destination, and agree before loading whether the box goes inland or is unpacked in Dakar.
What does shipping from Dubai to Senegal cost?
We do not publish a fixed price, because rates change every week. Your total is built from these parts.
| Cost element | What drives it |
|---|---|
| UAE origin charges | Trucking to Jebel Ali, export declaration, terminal handling, documents |
| Ocean or air freight | Container size or chargeable weight, carrier, season, surcharges |
| BESC and pre-shipment inspection | COSEC fee, inspection where the value threshold is met |
| Dakar port and line charges | Terminal handling, documentation fee, container deposit, LCL unpacking |
| Customs in Senegal | Broker's fee, inspections, permits |
| Duty, levies and VAT | CET band for the HS code, levies, 18% VAT, any excise |
| Delivery | Truck to the consignee in Senegal or onward to Mali |
| Delay costs | Demurrage and detention after free time |
Free time is short. Maersk, for example, gives 10 days of demurrage free time for dry boxes and 3 days for reefers in Dakar, and a container deposit applies on merchant haulage. Our guide to Incoterms 2020 for sea freight explains who pays each block, and our note on demurrage and detention shows how storage costs build up.
How to ship cargo from Dubai to Senegal: step by step
- Agree the Incoterm with your buyer, so both sides know who books freight and who clears in Dakar.
- Check the HS code, CET band and any permit, standard or excise for each product.
- Confirm the importer's NINEA, broker and, above the thresholds, the DPI and inspection.
- Send us the cargo details: goods, HS codes, weights, volume, packing and the delivery address in Senegal or Mali.
- We compare carriers and book space from Jebel Ali.
- We check the invoice and packing list, arrange the certificate of origin and send bill of lading data for the BESC.
- We arrange trucking, the UAE export declaration and loading, then release the documents.
- The BESC is validated before arrival, and the consignee's broker files the declaration in GAINDE.
- Duty, levies and VAT are paid, the line releases the delivery order, and the cargo is delivered.
[AMIR-FACT: one real Dubai to Senegal shipment we handled (cargo, mode, total days to Dakar, any BESC or clearance issue solved), cleared for publication]
Checklist before you ship to Senegal
- Importer's NINEA and broker confirmed.
- BESC applicant agreed and bill of lading data sent early.
- DPI filed before shipment if the FOB value is 1,000,000 CFA francs or more.
- Pre-shipment inspection booked in Dubai if the value is 3,000,000 CFA francs or more.
- HS code and CET band checked, with excise and standards noted.
- Certificate of origin matching the real country of manufacture.
- Permits ready for food, medicines, telecom equipment or petroleum products.
- Vehicle age and customs value checked before buying.
- Final destination on the bill of lading correct, especially for Mali.
- Free time known and clearance planned before it ends.
- Cargo insurance arranged if the Incoterm puts the risk on you.
Common mistakes on the Dubai to Senegal lane
| Mistake | What happens | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| No BESC before arrival | Customs declaration is held and storage starts | Agree who files it at booking |
| Missing DPI on a high-value shipment | Clearance blocked at Dakar | Check the FOB value against the threshold before loading |
| Freight invoice and BESC values that do not match | COSEC flags anomalies and asks for corrections | Use the same figures on the invoice, B/L and BESC |
| Wrong origin on re-exported goods | Wrong duty and possible penalties | Declare the real country of manufacture |
| Quoting duty only | Landed cost far above the quote | Add levies, 18% VAT and excise |
| Buying a used car above the age limit | The car cannot be cleared normally | Check the age rule with the broker first |
| Mali cargo booked to Dakar only | Wrong free time and transit paperwork | Book the true final destination |
Shipping bulk commodities rather than containers? Our guide to bulk shipping from Dubai to Africa covers that side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Dubai to Senegal take?
Fluent Cargo lists the quickest Jebel Ali to Dakar sea option at 29 days 14 hours with 2 transfers. Actual times depend on the carrier and transshipment port. Air cargo to Blaise Diagne airport takes about 10 to 13 hours of flying, plus handling.
Which port do ships from Dubai use in Senegal?
The Port of Dakar. Its container terminal is run by DP World, which describes it as the only container terminal in Senegal, with a capacity of 900,000 TEU.
Is a BSC or BESC required for Senegal?
Yes, for sea cargo. The BESC is issued by the Senegalese Shippers' Council (COSEC) and must be in place before the cargo arrives. It needs the bill of lading, the commercial invoice and the freight invoice.
What is the import duty in Senegal?
Senegal applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff with bands of 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 35% of CIF value. Levies of about 2.9% for sea cargo are added, and VAT is 18% for most goods.
Do I need a customs broker in Senegal?
Yes, for commercial cargo. Only goods with a customs value up to 200,000 CFA francs can be declared by the owner. Above that, a licensed customs broker must file the declaration.
Is there a pre-shipment inspection for Senegal?
Above a value threshold, yes. A prior import declaration (DPI) is needed from 1,000,000 CFA francs FOB, and an inspection with an attestation of verification from 3,000,000 CFA francs FOB, according to French customs' Senegal guide.
Can I ship cargo to Mali through Dakar?
Yes. Dakar handles transit cargo for Mali under a customs transit regime with a transit document and bank guarantee. Carriers set separate free time for transit boxes, so book the final destination correctly.
What are the taxes on cars shipped to Senegal?
Senegal customs publishes cumulative rates. For vehicles arriving by sea they are 48.97% for used passenger cars, 47.54% for new ones, and 36.81% for used goods vehicles. An age limit applies to used vehicles.
Get a quote for shipping from Dubai to Senegal
Send us your cargo details, the delivery address in Senegal or Mali and the Incoterm, and we will come back with a routing and a price. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a vehicle, breakbulk or DG shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Douanes senegalaises: Table of duties and taxes
- Douanes senegalaises: ECOWAS Common External Tariff files
- Douanes senegalaises: Cumulative rates for vehicles
- Douanes senegalaises: Home, e-services and notices
- ECOWAS: Common External Tariff (CET)
- French customs: 10 questions before exporting to Senegal (2020)
- COSEC: Services to shippers (BESC, transit)
- COSEC: BESC portal
- GAINDE 2000: ORBUS single window
- DP World: Dakar Port
- DP World: Ports and terminals in Senegal (Ndayane)
- Wikipedia: Autonomous Port of Dakar (2007 concession)
- Maersk: Senegal import information
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Dakar sea and air routes
- Fluent Cargo: Dakar (SNDKR) port profile
Reviewed: 10 November 2026