Algeria
B/L Print Requirements
Mandatory text on Ocean B/L
- • 6-digit HS code mandatory.
- • Precise commercial cargo description (generic descriptions rejected).
- • Importer 15-digit NIF must appear on transport documents.
- • Freight must be prepaid.
NIF (15-digit importer tax ID) must appear on the B/L and manifest in the Consignee field (or Notify field if bank is named as consignee). For motor vehicles: VIN/chassis number, make, commercial model, year of manufacture/registration, engine type, and displacement must be explicitly printed on the B/L.
Inspection & Certificates
Pre-loading inspection & filing
- • Mandatory Certificate of Conformity and Quality issued at origin.
- • Mandatory Certificate of Free Marketing in origin country issued by trade authority.
- • Importer must complete bank domiciliation before departure; resale goods require prior ALGEX clearance.
Cargo & Standards
Labeling, vehicles & packaging
- • Passenger vehicles: maximum 3 years from manufacture
- • Right-hand-drive vehicles are strictly prohibited.
- • Product manuals, user warnings, and retail labels must be in Arabic (or French and Arabic).
- • Halal certificate and official veterinary health certificate mandatory for all meat and food preparations with animal by-products.
- • Pork products strictly prohibited.
- • Used passenger cars restricted to 3 years max age.
- • ISPM 15 heat treatment stamp required on all wooden packaging.
- • ISPM 15 heat-treated stamp required on all wooden packaging.
Shipper & Consignee
Where this destination differs from standard practice
- • Foreign consignees are not accepted — a locally-registered entity must be named.
- • Generic "to order" is not accepted — only "to order of [named bank]" is permitted.
Consignee must be an Algerian registered tax entity with a 15-digit NIF or an authorized Algerian commercial bank. Foreign-based consignees are not permitted. "To Order" B/Ls must be consigned strictly to "To Order of [Named Algerian Bank]".
Non-Compliance Risk at Destination
Failure to domiciliate the import before departure from origin blocks customs clearance and foreign currency remittance. Ocean freight collect is rejected by carriers for Algerian ports.
Compliance Timeline for Algeria
Follow this 3-step sequence from container stuffing through to port clearance.
Before Container Loading
- ✓ Complete pre-shipment inspection (PVoC / CoC) via SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, Cotecna before cargo is stuffed.
- ✓ Verify vehicle age against the applicable statutory limit (3 yrs passenger).
- ✓ Confirm vehicle is NOT right-hand drive before booking.
- ✓ Confirm consignee is a locally-registered entity — foreign consignees are not accepted at this destination.
- ✓ Verify ISPM 15 heat-treated stamp on all wooden crates, dunnage, and pallets.
Prior to Sailing
- ✓ Generic "to order" is not accepted — only "to order of [named bank]" is permitted.
- ✓ Ensure exact consignee Tax ID / Registration Code and 6-digit HS Code are printed on B/L.
- ✓ Submit SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) to loading terminal before yard cutoff.
Port Clearance at Destination
- ✓ Present original Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to destination standards inspectors.
- ✓ Collect Delivery Order (DO) upon completing Release verification.
Download Compliance Guide for Algeria (PDF)
Generate a practical, print-ready compliance document complete with statutory B/L clauses, ECTN certificate agencies, vehicle age ceilings, and station phone contacts.