Angola CNCA Certificate

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 CNCA / 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.

Required Documents - Angola CNCA

• 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 CNCA 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 CNCA processing. It can be prepared using the submitted shipping documents.

Is CNCA / ARCCLA required for shipments to Angola?

CNCA / 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 CNCA / 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).

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.

Amendment guidance

Changes may be possible after a CNCA 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.

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