African Export Documentation Checklist

Essential export documents by African Economic Region – Food and Agricultural Products

Select Region:
ECOWAS Export Documentation (West Africa)
Business & Export Authorization
Business Registration (CAC/RCCM)
Corporate Affairs Commission or local business registry registration. Required for export license eligibility.
Issued by: National Business Registry
NEPC Export Certificate
Nigerian Export Promotion Council certificate. Required for all formal exports from Nigeria and recognized across ECOWAS.
Issued by: NEPC (Nigeria) or Regional Trade Office
Export License/Permit
Specific authorization for product export. May be required based on commodity classification.
Issued by: Ministry of Trade/Customs Authority
Health & Safety Certifications
Phytosanitary Certificate
Required for fresh produce. Verifies compliance with plant health requirements and freedom from quarantine pests.
Issued by: NAQS (Nigeria) or National Plant Protection Org
Health/Food Safety Certificate
For processed and packaged food items. Certifies compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
Issued by: NAFDAC (Nigeria) or Health Authority
Veterinary Certificate
For animal and animal product exports. Confirms animal health status and compliance with SPS measures.
Issued by: Veterinary Services Department
Commercial Documents
Commercial Invoice
Seller's invoice detailing goods, quantities, prices, and payment terms. Essential for all transactions.
Issued by: Exporter
Packing List
Itemized list of contents with weights, dimensions, and package marks. Must match invoice quantities.
Issued by: Exporter
Certificate of Origin (Form A/ECOWAS)
Certifies product origin and eligibility for ECOWAS preferential tariff treatment. Claim duty relief within region.
Issued by: Chamber of Commerce/Export Authority
Shipping & Transport Documents
Bill of Lading (B/L)
Proof of shipment and title transfer. Required for sea freight. Acts as receipt and contract of carriage.
Issued by: Shipping Line/Freight Forwarder
Air Waybill (AWB)
For air shipments. Serves as receipt, contract, and evidence of shipment.
Issued by: Airline/Freight Forwarder
SADC Export Documentation (Southern Africa)
Business & Export Authorization
Business License & VAT Registration
Mandatory business registration. VAT registration for eligible exporters in SADC countries.
Issued by: National Revenue Authority
SADC Exporter Registration
Registration with SADC trade authority for preferential trade benefits and certificate of origin issuance.
Issued by: SADC Trade Authority/Chamber
Health & Quality Certifications
Phytosanitary Certificate (Regional Standard)
SADC-harmonized phytosanitary requirements. Recognized across Southern African region for plant products.
Issued by: National Plant Protection Organization
Food Safety Certificate (SADC Standards)
Compliance with SADC food safety standards. Critical for processed food and beverages.
Issued by: Food Safety Authority
AGOA Certificate (if applicable)
For exports to US under African Growth and Opportunity Act. Certifies product eligibility and compliance.
Issued by: Trade Ministry/Customs Authority
Trade & Commercial Documents
Commercial Invoice & Proforma
Detailed invoices with product specs, HS codes, and payment terms required.
Issued by: Exporter
SADC Certificate of Origin (Form)
Regional certificate confirming product origin and qualification for preferential SADC trade treatment.
Issued by: Chamber of Commerce/SADC Authority
Bill of Lading & Shipping Docs
Standard sea freight documentation and receipt of goods for shipment.
Issued by: Shipping Line
EAC Export Documentation (East Africa)
Business & Export Authorization
Business Registration (National)
Registration with national business registry (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan).
Issued by: National Registrar of Businesses
EAC Exporter Certificate
Regional exporter certification recognized across all EAC member states.
Issued by: EAC Trade & Investment Chamber
Health & Compliance Certifications
Phytosanitary Certificate (EAC Standard)
EAC-harmonized plant health certificate. Standard across East Africa region for agricultural exports.
Issued by: National Plant Protection Org (NPPO)
Health Certificate (Processed Food)
For packaged and processed food items. Certifies food safety compliance under EAC standards.
Issued by: National Health/Food Authority
COMESA Mutual Recognition Certificate
EAC members also COMESA members can use COMESA cross-cumulation for export benefits.
Issued by: Trade Authority
Trade Documents
Commercial Invoice
Standard export invoice with all transaction details and product specifications.
Issued by: Exporter
EAC Certificate of Origin (Form)
Confirms product origin and eligibility for EAC preferential tariff treatment. Regional preference claim.
Issued by: Chamber of Commerce/EAC Authority
Packing List & Shipping Documents
Itemized cargo list and Bill of Lading or Air Waybill for shipment tracking.
Issued by: Exporter/Shipping Agent
COMESA Export Documentation
Business & Export Authorization
National Business Registration
Business registration in home COMESA member state (Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, etc.).
Issued by: National Business Authority
COMESA Exporter ID
Digital exporter registration in COMESA electronic system for certificate issuance and tracking.
Issued by: COMESA Trade Commission
Health & Safety Requirements
COMESA Phytosanitary Certificate
Harmonized regional phytosanitary standard recognized across all COMESA member states.
Issued by: National Plant Protection Org
Food Safety & Quality Certificate
Compliance with COMESA food standards for processed and packaged goods.
Issued by: National Food Authority
Trade Documents
Commercial Invoice & Proforma Invoice
Detailed invoices with HS codes and product origin information for COMESA tariff classification.
Issued by: Exporter
COMESA Certificate of Origin (eForm)
Electronic Certificate of Origin for preferential tariff treatment within COMESA. Submitted via eCommerce system.
Issued by: COMESA eSystem/Chamber
Transport & Shipping Documentation
Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, or Road Consignment Note depending on transport mode.
Issued by: Carrier/Freight Forwarder
Maghreb Export Documentation (North Africa)
Business & Export Authorization
National Business Registration
Business registration (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania). Often integrated with customs registration.
Issued by: National Trade Ministry
Maghreb Union Exporter Status
Approved exporter status under Maghreb Union for duty-free preference claims within North Africa.
Issued by: Regional Customs Union
Health & Compliance Certifications
Phytosanitary Certificate (Maghreb Standard)
North African harmonized phytosanitary standard for fresh agricultural products.
Issued by: National Plant Health Organization
Food Safety Certificate (HALAL/ISO Compliant)
Food safety compliance including HALAL certification where applicable for processed foods in North Africa.
Issued by: Food Authority/HALAL Body
Trade & Commercial Documents
Commercial Invoice
Standard export invoice with full product description and pricing details.
Issued by: Exporter
EUR1/EUR.Med Certificate of Origin
Movement certificate for preferential trade under EU partnerships (Morocco, Tunisia) and Maghreb preferences.
Issued by: Chamber of Commerce/Customs
Bill of Lading / Sea Freight Documents
Proof of shipment and carriage contract for Mediterranean and Atlantic routes.
Issued by: Shipping Company

Data Sources & References: Documentation requirements compiled from UNCTAD Rules of Origin Reports, regional trade authority guidelines (ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, COMESA, Maghreb Union), WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement, and individual country export authorities. Regional harmonization standards based on each REC's trade protocols and mutual recognition agreements.

Regional Links: ECOWAS Trade Commission • SADC Free Trade Area • East African Community • COMESA • Maghreb Union

Last updated: November 2025. Checklist reflects current regional trade agreements and export requirements. Always verify current regulations with your national export authority before submission.