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Importing to Seychelles
Seychelles was ranked as the third-best country for ICT development in Africa for 2024. With its luxurious beaches and growing tourism it is not just a holiday destination, but its rise in trade potential is turning Seychelles into an investment hotspot.
Tax
Up to 15%
Duties
Up to 10%
Lead times
3-4 weeks
Restricted Items
Second-hand goods
Best carrier option
Courier or Freight Forwarder
Non-working days
Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays
Prominent Languages
Seychellois Creole, English, and French
Exporting and Importing into Seychelles
Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has a mobile penetration of nearly 100%. Their small population has resulted in a moderate amount of large tech imports into the country; however, its stable economy and growing tech infrastructure are making the country increasingly attractive for investments.
Seychelles is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which comprises 16 member states. This community aims to enhance trade among other member states, including Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
The Seychelles occupies a strategic location along various maritime trade routes between Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, enhancing its potential for regional and international trade. The Seychelles is also investing in fintech and digital finance boot camps, boosting tech knowledge throughout the country.
These investments have led to further tech advancements with the development of the Seychelles East Africa System, a 1917km submarine deep sea cable connecting the Seychelles and Tanzania, further strengthening its connectivity.
Population
132,867
Biggest Industry by Export
Fish
Capital City
Victoria
Biggest Industry by Import
Mineral Fuels
Unique Pain Points for Imports to Seychelles
Limited Infrastructure
As a remote nation in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles often faces high import costs and logistical challenges. Port Victoria, the island’s major port, is also relatively small, leading to port congestion and delays in handling shipping cargo. This makes getting customs cleared the first time around increasingly important to prevent delays and longer lead times.
Skills Gap and Limitations of Suppliers
Seychelles has a small population, which has led to a small market size. This has resulted in low import volumes, increasing the costs of imports due to the lack of economies of scale.
The small market size has also contributed to a limited supplier interest, making imports into the country even more challenging. Additionally, low demand has led to a skills gap and a lack of investment in critical infrastructure, further adding to the logistical challenges faced by importers.
Countries Associated with Seychelles
Europe
France
Europe
Italy
Specialized Solution for Seychelles
The Seychelles is currently amending legislation, such as its anti-money laundering and beneficial ownership laws, to promote transparency. This has resulted in stricter customs controls, increasing the need for an Importer of Record who will ensure IT equipment clears customs. The TecEx Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) solution takes all import risks off your shoulders, getting goods through Seychelles customs the first time.
Specific Compliance Regulations for Seychelles
Specific Documentation
A Commercial Invoice and Packing List must be in colour and signed. Our trade experts ensure these two documents, along with all the other necessary documents, are correctly sourced.
Submitting the appropriate customs declaration is also crucial, which must be submitted to the customs declaration of the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC). This declaration includes various details of the goods, including the value, quantity, origin, and intended use. Our trade experts have extensive experience with imports into the Seychelles and will take care of all pre-compliance needs on your behalf to get your goods successfully through customs.
Harmonized System Code
The correct classification of goods is also mandatory. This is done by classifying imported goods according to the Harmonised System Code (HS Code). Every HS code corresponds to a specific tariff rate, which varies depending on the country of origin and type of product. We are well-versed in all HS Codes and are able to get the correct code to allow all your tech goods to go seamlessly through customs.
Get Importing into the Seychelles
If you are ready to import or would like to find out more about imports into the Seychelles, contact one of our trade experts.
