Sierra Leone
SL · SLE
As of: 6/29/2026
Seehafen-Gateway Westafrika / Bergbau-Export
Capital: Freetown
ECOWAS (CEDEAO) / AfCFTASeaRoadAirRailImport VAT: Goods and Services Tax (GST) 15 Prozent auf Einfuhren (GST Act 2009, NRA)Customs: mittel bis hochRisk: mittel bis hochPharma/Cold Chain: mittelDangerous Goods: mittelE-Commerce: gering bis mittel
Overview
Sierra Leone (ISO code SL) lies on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, bordering Guinea and Liberia. It is a presidential republic with a tropical climate, a rainy season from May to October and the dry Harmattan season from November to April. Its economy rests on mining (iron ore, bauxite, rutile, diamonds, gold), agriculture and fisheries. Exports are dominated by mineral commodities and agricultural goods, while the country relies heavily on imports of food, petroleum products and manufactured goods. Logistically the deep-water port of Freetown (Queen Elizabeth II Quay) is the central gateway, complemented by Lungi airport and road corridors to neighbouring countries. Imports are subject to a 15 percent Goods and Services Tax and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff. The national currency is the new leone (SLE), which in 2022 replaced the old leone (SLL) at 1000 to 1.
Area71,740 km²
Population8,642,022
CurrencySierra Leonean leone (SLE)
Economic areaECOWAS (CEDEAO) / AfCFTA
ContinentAfrica
ReligionsIslam, Christentum
ISO codeSL / SLE
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
National Revenue Authority (NRA) - Customs Services DepartmentImport system
Elektronische Abfertigung über ASYCUDA World (löst ASYCUDA++ ab); Schiffsmanifest 48 Stunden vor Ankunft. Zollbehörde ist die NRA Customs Services Department; Einfuhrzoll nach dem ECOWAS-Aussenzolltarif (CET).
Export system
Ausfuhren werden ebenfalls durch die NRA Customs Services Department mit ASYCUDA World abgefertigt. Rohdiamanten nur mit Kimberley-Prozess-Zertifikat; Bergbauexporte laufen über die Spezialhäfen Pepel und Nitti.
Import VAT
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) 15 Prozent auf Einfuhren (GST Act 2009, NRA)
- Grundnahrung und bestimmte Leistungen sind befreit oder null-bewertet.
Customs complexitymittel bis hoch
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Konnossement / Luftfrachtbrief
- ASYCUDA-Einfuhranmeldung
- Ursprungszeugnis
- Einfuhrlizenz bei genehmigungspflichtigen Waren
Export documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Konnossement
- ASYCUDA-Ausfuhranmeldung
- Ursprungszeugnis (ECOWAS / EUR.1)
- Kimberley-Zertifikat bei Rohdiamanten
Origin proofs / FTA
ECOWAS-Ursprungszeugnis für den regionalen Freiverkehr (ETLS); Sierra Leone ist AfCFTA-Vertragspartei. EU-Marktzugang als LDC zoll- und kontingentfrei über Everything But Arms (Ursprungserklärung/EUR.1).
Restricted & prohibited goods
Rohdiamanten nur mit Kimberley-Prozess-Zertifikat; Genehmigungspflicht u.a. für Waffen, Munition, Pharmazeutika und bestimmte Agrargüter; Verbote für gefälschte Waren und nicht konforme Lebensmittel.
Export controls & sanctions
Keine eigenen Sanktionsregime; Sierra Leone setzt UN-Sanktionen um. Frühere UN-Diamantenembargos sind aufgehoben; der Rohdiamantenhandel ist über das Kimberley-Prozess-Zertifizierungssystem geregelt.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Africa) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Africa. Documentation, pre-clearance and local clearance steps can vary a lot by destination.
Documents (typical)
Process (simplified)
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Sea
highRoad
highAir
mediumRail
n/aInland Waterway
n/aCargo airports
- Lungi International Airport (FNA)
Seaports / access ports
- Queen Elizabeth II Quay (Freetown)
- Pepel (Eisenerz)
- Nitti (Bauxit/Rutil)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Freetown-Bo-Kenema
- Freetown-Makeni-Kabala
- Trans-West-African Highway (Conakry-Freetown-Monrovia)
Rail corridors
- Tonkolili-Pepel (Eisenerzbahn, nicht öffentlich)
Top trade lanes
- Sierra Leone-China
- Sierra Leone-EU (NL/BE/DE)
- Sierra Leone-ECOWAS-Region
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskmittel bis hoch
Customs delay riskmittel bis hoch
Port congestion riskmittel
Risk notes
Begrenzte Infrastruktur, Strassenqualität ausserhalb der Hauptachsen variabel, zeitweise Stromausfälle. Die Zollabfertigung kann sich verzögern; im Handelsumfeld besteht ein Korruptionsrisiko.
Seasonal & weather risks
Tropische Regenzeit von Mai bis Oktober mit starken Niederschlägen, möglichen Überschwemmungen und erschwertem Strassentransport; Harmattan-Trockenzeit von November bis April.
Current logistics notes
Der Container-Hauptumschlag läuft über das Freetown Terminal (Queen Elizabeth II Quay). Ausbau von Hafen- und Strasseninfrastruktur sowie ein neuer Flughafenterminal in Lungi stärken die Anbindung.
As of: 2026-06-29
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
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Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-06-29
Official sources
- nra.gov.sl
- bsl.gov.sl
- sliepa.gov.sl
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
What import tax applies in Sierra Leone?
Most imports are subject to a 15 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) under the GST Act 2009, administered by the National Revenue Authority. Staple foods and certain services are exempt or zero-rated.
Which customs tariff applies?
Sierra Leone applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff with bands of 0, 5, 10, 20 and 35 percent. Goods are classified under the Harmonized System (HS).
How are imports cleared?
Clearance is handled electronically through ASYCUDA World by the NRA Customs Services Department. The ship's manifest must be lodged 48 hours before arrival.
Which port is the main gateway?
The deep-water port of Freetown with the Queen Elizabeth II Quay is the central gateway; container handling is operated by Freetown Terminal. Mining exports use the dedicated ports of Pepel and Nitti.
Does Sierra Leone benefit from trade preferences?
As a least developed country (LDC) Sierra Leone has duty-free, quota-free EU market access under Everything But Arms. It is also an ECOWAS member and an AfCFTA party.
What applies to rough diamond exports?
Rough diamonds may only be exported with a Kimberley Process certificate. Sierra Leone is a participant in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
Which currency is used in Sierra Leone?
The national currency is the new leone (SLE), which in 2022 replaced the old leone (SLL) at a rate of 1000 to 1.
Which trade partners are important for Sierra Leone?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Sierra Leone?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
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