Distributing a product

Market shares

The three supermarket brands (Score, Bon Prix and Leader Price) in the capital, all belonging to the Damag Group, occupy a market share of less than 10%. The informal market dominates the distribution sector.

Organizations in the retail sector

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer

International economic cooperation

Senegal is a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of Western Africa (UEMAO) and also adheres to the Franc Zone

Non tariff barriers

- tardiness and administrative complexity
- corruption

Customs duties and taxes on imports

There are four levels of taxation: 0%, 5%, 10% and 20%.
For more information, visit the site of the Senegalese customs.

Customs classification

Senegal uses a system of classification in accordance with the West African Economic and Monetary Union.

Import procedures

The required documents are:
- An Invoice made out in duplicate
- certificate of origin

For more information, consult the website of the Senegalese customs.

Importing samples

To import samples one should use an ATA carnet (also known as Merchandise Passport).

For further information

The Senegalese Customs

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

The Dakar Port Authority occupies a privileged position in the maritime traffic of West Africa. It is not only the central point of the country's traffic but also that of the region, in particular with Mali.
Senegal is equipped with three airports open to international traffic: the L.S. Senghor (Dakar) Airport, Cap Skirring and Saint Louis and 12 other airports open to domestic traffic.

The railway network is composed of two principal lines:
- Dakar - Thies - Louga - Saint-Louis;
- Dakar - Thies - Diourbel - Tambacounda - Bamako, with a branch line towards Kaolack. This line ensures the international traffic with Mali.

These two lines are open for the transport of merchandise and people.
The Railways is used not only for transporting most of the mineral products and fuels but also a part of the agricultural produce.

Ports

The port of Dakar

Airports

Dakar Airport

Sea transport organizations

Ministry of tourism and transport

Air transport organizations

National Agency of Senegal for Civil Aviation

Road transport organizations

Ministry of infrastructures, equipment, road transportation and internal sea transportation.

Rail transport organizations

Ministry of infrastructures, equipment, road transportation and internal sea transportation.

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate.

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

The industrial sector represents 20% of the GDP. The manufacturing sub-sector principally consists of activities relating to the transformation of phosphates, groundnuts and seafood.
Its growth of 5.6% is primarily due to the increase in the price of petrol in the international markets. In general, the secondary sector is characterized by an elevated cost in the factors of production, a dependence of the production with respect to the limited number of products.

Business directories

CNP

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Senegal enterprises: List of professional associations

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

National Union of the Chambers of trade (UNCM)
Chamber of commerce and industry (in french)

Enterprises federation

Employers National Council (in french)
Women association for the promotion of enterprises in Senegal (in french)
National confederation of Senegal employers (in french)

Standards

National standards organizations

ASN

Integration in the international standards network

The Senegalese standards are generally derived from the French ones. ASN is a funding member of the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), a member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Afiliate Country Program, a correspondent member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and a member of the African Electrotechnical Standardization Commission (AFSEC).

Classification of standards

The Senegalese standards are the NS. For more information consult the ASN website.

Online consultation of standards

You can consult the Senegalese standards List.

Certification organizations

ASN

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products.

Intellectual Property

National organizations

The trade marks, patents, and copyrights are protected within the framework of OAPI, The African Organization for Intellectual Property.

Regional organizations

Senegal is a member of the African Intellectual Property Organization.