Angola ARCCLA Certificate

Angola ARCCLA Certificate Requirement

Last Updated: 29 December 2025 – Regulations are subject to change.

To ensure a smooth process, please initiate the procedure as soon as the Bill of Lading is obtained. Below are the required details for the documents used in an Angola ARCCLA application, along with operational notes.

All documents must be submitted by email in a clear, complete, and legible format so the shipment file can be reviewed before submission.

Draft preparation can begin after complete documents are received. Final validation timing depends on the accuracy of the shipment file, the completeness of supporting documents, and approval by the relevant Angola authority. Processing time should not be treated as guaranteed.

Mandatory loading certificate for shipments to Angola

Issued before loading, the ARCCLA lets the Angolan customs authorities track incoming cargo, apply import controls and secure compliance before the vessel arrives.

As an authorized agent, SCK Representation supports exporters, freight forwarders and logistics companies through the ARCCLA process, so the right document is issued and the reference number obtained in time for cargo bound for Angola.

How long does ARCCLA approval take?

The approval process for ARCCLA applications is handled from our Istanbul office and normally concludes within a few days of a complete application.

If complete and accurate documents are provided, the issuance process may be reduced to as little as one business day.

Below is a sample ARCCLA (Agência Reguladora de Certificação de Cargas e Logística de Angola) document, shown to illustrate the format and content used in applications.

Sample ARCCLA certificate

Required Documents - Angola ARCCLA

• Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice
• Freight Invoice, if freight charges are not clearly stated on the Commercial Invoice
• Application Form, which can be completed on behalf of the applicant using the submitted shipment documents
• Import License / D.U. (Documento Único), mandatory for standard commercial shipments to Angola

Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading (BL) serves as the primary cargo receipt for maritime shipments bound for Luanda, Lobito, or any other Angolan port.

For LCL shipment applications with the House BL (HBL), the Master BL (MBL) may also be required if deemed necessary.

For LCL applications with MBL, a single ARCCLA must be issued for each HBL and MBL.

Commercial Invoice

All items shipped must be backed by a clear commercial transaction document showing value breakdowns.

• The invoice must be issued to the final consignee in the destination country.
• The Incoterm must be clearly stated and the value breakdown must correspond properly.
• If the Incoterm is CFR, the following values should be clearly indicated: FOB and freight.
• The Commercial Invoice value must be consistent with the D.U. value.

Freight Invoice

Required when freight charges are not clearly shown on the Commercial Invoice. The freight amount must be clear and consistent with the shipping documents.

The currency must be EUR or USD. Other currencies will be converted.

Application Form

The application form includes the shipment, exporter, consignee, and cargo details required for ARCCLA processing. It can be prepared using the submitted shipping documents.

What is the D.U. document?

The D.U. (Documento Único) is an import licence issued in Angola by the relevant ministry. The importer obtains it for each shipment, and it must be in hand before the ARCCLA application is made.

Sample Angola D.U. document

Who is responsible for obtaining the ARCCLA certificate?

The shipper or exporter, or the freight forwarder they authorise, is responsible for obtaining the ARCCLA certificate.

If a valid ARCCLA reference is not issued and validated before the vessel departs, carriers may refuse the loading.

When must the ARCCLA be issued?

The ARCCLA certificate must be issued and validated before the cargo is loaded at the port of loading.

The certificate has to be completed before the vessel departs, and where required the validated ARCCLA reference must be declared on the Bill of Lading.

Late applications, or applications made after the vessel has departed, are generally not accepted and can lead to fines, delays or the cargo not clearing customs at the destination port.

Regulations are subject to change, we recommend confirming the latest country-specific requirements with our team via email.

Is ARCCLA required for shipments to Angola?

ARCCLA is mandatory for sea freight shipments destined for Angola, regardless of cargo type, shipment value, shipment size, or country of origin.

It applies to:

• Containerized cargo
• Breakbulk cargo
• Vehicles
• Machinery
• Project cargo

The certificate must be issued and validated before cargo loading and vessel departure. The validated ARCCLA reference must be declared on the Bill of Lading where required.

Late or post-departure applications may result in delays, penalties, additional charges, or cargo-clearance issues at destination.

Prior Authorization (Conditional Requirement)

Your shipment is subject to Prior Authorization if one or more of the HS codes listed below are indicated in the D.U.:

Prior Authorization must be provided if relevant conditions are met. It can be obtained from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).

What is ARCCLA?

Since 28 January 1994, under Decree 19/94, a CNCA (Conselho Nacional de Carregadores) certificate has been mandatory for all commercial sea exports to Angola.

The document is Angola’s mandatory Loading Certificate (LC).

What is the difference between CNCA and ARCCLA certificates?

There is no functional or legal difference. CNCA and ARCCLA refer to the same document; its current name is ARCCLA.

After the institutional reorganisation in Angola, CNCA was renamed ARCCLA (Agência Reguladora de Certificação de Cargas e Logística de Angola).

Both terms are treated as equivalent and valid by the Angolan customs authorities.

Who issues the Angola loading certificate?

For shipments from Türkiye, SCK Representation is the authorised agent for the Angola Loading Certificate (Angola Cargo Tracking Note).

With SCK Representation’s specialists and our coordination with the Angolan authorities, the certificate is normally issued within 1-3 business days.

We know how much trouble a delayed ARCCLA can cause, so we recommend getting the application right the first time to avoid overtime charges or disruption to the shipment.

Angola Vehicle Import Regulations

Vehicle importers may require an authorization certificate from ANTT (Agência Nacional dos Transportes Terrestres).

This may apply to new and used vehicles. Passenger vehicles should generally not be older than five years, while heavy vehicles should generally not be older than eight years.

Is there an age limit for tractors and heavy machinery?

Heavy machinery and heavy vehicles can be subject to different rules from passenger cars. We recommend contacting SCK Representation before shipping so the applicable Angolan requirements can be checked against the vehicle type and cargo classification.

Amendment guidance

Changes may be possible after an ARCCLA has been pre-validated depending on the country of loading and the nature of the amendment. Corrections require authorization from the Angola office and may require revalidation.

Ensure that the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, D.U., and application details are accurate before submission.

Is a D.U. required for temporary shipments to Angola?

No. A D.U. is not required for temporary shipments to Angola.

The shipment must, however, be clearly marked as temporary on the commercial invoice or the Bill of Lading.

Can the same ARCCLA number be used for multiple shipments?

No. Each ARCCLA number is valid for one shipment only.

Every shipment requires its own separately and individually validated ARCCLA number.

Critical notes

• An application form must be completed to initiate the certification process. You may either complete the form yourself using this link, or our team can complete it on your behalf for a service fee.
• Any amendments to a validated certificate will incur an amendment fee.
• For non-containerized (RoRo, general cargo or bulk) shipment tariff, please contact our support team.

One ARCCLA certificate is issued per BL, in soft copy. The draft ARCCLA number will be issued along with the draft, while the final ARCCLA number will be issued along with the validated certificate.

Items classified under the HS codes listed below are prohibited from import into Angola:

For further information please contact our support team.

Regulations are subject to change, we recommend confirming the latest country-specific requirements with our team via email.