Shipping and Removals in Angola

While it is possible for expats to ship their belongings to Angola, it isn't always recommended, particularly not by sea. Shipping to Angola by air is much more efficient, albeit expensive.

Shipping by sea in Angola

While sending items to Angola by sea is much cheaper than air freight, it takes longer and expats will have to contend with port inefficiencies. As a country that relies heavily on the import of goods, problems such as congestion, constraints caused by processing and paperwork, and delays in clearance plague Angola's port terminal management.

Oftentimes, container ships will have arrived but are not given permission to dock for weeks on end. And once goods are offloaded, expats may find there are long delays before items are cleared for release, and during these periods, huge storage costs can amount and damage may occur.

Customs and insurance in Angola

Expats should also note that customs clearance in Angola is complicated and if shipping a large number of goods to Angola, it's best to hire an international clearing agent. Goods should also be comprehensively insured, though it's best to go with an external insurance company rather than with the removals company's insurance option.

Furnishings in Angola

Both furnished and unfurnished accommodation can be found in Luanda, the city where most expats tend to be based. Expats staying in the country only for a short while should consider renting furnished accommodation rather than bearing the cost of shipping their things to Angola and back home again. New arrivals who do wish to buy some furniture can find some great bargains from fellow expats selling off their own furnishings in Angola before leaving the country at the end of their assignment.