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Pre-Shipment Inspection
There are a number of companies which offer Pre-shipment Inspection Services on vehicles (and other goods) ordered overseas. They offer buyers and / or importing nations a level of security in ensuring they will get what they have ordered and paid for. They also, in some cases, offer controls on the pricing levels applied. There are charges for their services and these are normally paid by the importer.
The companies include S.G.S. (Société Générale de Surveillance), Bureau Veritas - Bivac, Cotecna and various others. In many countries, particularly in the developing world, these companies' inspection procedures are now compulsory on all regular importations where Import Licences are required. In some cases their procedures are required, even if the goods are paid for externally (i.e. where foreign exchange does not have to leave the country). However, in many countries the requirement for inspection is waived in the case of externally funded vehicles destined for Aid Projects or Embassy Staff.
If you import a vehicle into a country (where inspection is necessary), without it having undergone a pre-shipment inspection, you could have great difficulties with the local authorities and face a hefty fee to clear it from customs. It's most important you check if pre-shipment inspection will be required on your vehicle before you ship it.
We recommend you obtain confirmation in writing from the Embassy of your destination country or from a reliable local contact.
You can obtain further information about the services and procedures of these companies from :
As soon as we locate a site for Cotecna we shall add a link.
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