Mauritius
B/L Print Requirements
Mandatory text on Ocean B/L
- • Consignee Business Registration Number, Tax Account Number, 6-digit HS Code, and precise goods description mandatory on Ocean B/L and manifest.
- • Ocean freight must be prepaid.
Consignee BRN and TAN must appear on transport documents and manifest. Port of discharge must be designated as Port Louis.
Inspection & Certificates
Pre-loading inspection & filing
- • No ECTN/BESC tracking note is required.
- • Standard customs declarations processed electronically via MRA TradeNet single window.
- • Used motor vehicles require a mandatory pre-shipment roadworthiness inspection certificate.
Cargo & Standards
Labeling, vehicles & packaging
- • Passenger vehicles: maximum 4 years from manufacture
- • Commercial vehicles (trucks, buses): maximum 8 years from manufacture
- • Left-hand-drive vehicles are strictly prohibited.
- • English or French product labeling mandatory on all retail goods.
- • Left-hand-drive vehicles strictly prohibited (RHD required).
- • Used passenger motor cars must be between 18 months and 48 months (4 years) old from first registration at shipment date; commercial trucks and buses permitted up to 8 years.
- • Official Veterinary Health Certificate mandatory for all imported meat products.
- • ISPM 15 wood packaging compliance strictly enforced at Port Louis.
- • 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.
Consignee must be a registered entity or resident in Mauritius holding an active Business Registration Number and Tax Account Number issued by MRA. "To Order" B/Ls are permitted provided the Notify Party is the registered local buyer with full physical address in Mauritius, local phone number, and BRN/TAN stated on the B/L. PO Box only is rejected.
Non-Compliance Risk at Destination
Used passenger motor vehicles outside the strict 18-to-48-month age window are denied customs clearance and face mandatory re-exportation at the importer's cost.
Compliance Timeline for Mauritius
Follow this 3-step sequence from container stuffing through to port clearance.
Before Container Loading
- ✓ Confirm commercial invoice and packing list accuracy with consignee.
- ✓ Verify vehicle age against the applicable statutory limit (4 yrs passenger / 8 yrs commercial).
- ✓ Confirm vehicle is NOT left-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
- ✓ 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
- ✓ Collect Delivery Order (DO) upon completing Release verification.
Download Compliance Guide for Mauritius (PDF)
Generate a practical, print-ready compliance document complete with statutory B/L clauses, ECTN certificate agencies, vehicle age ceilings, and station phone contacts.