The General Directorate of Customs in Benin has announced that a new temporary admission exception procedure will come into effect on November 1, 2026. This new procedure will be implemented on the Customs Webb platform. According to the customs administration, the goal of this new system is to simplify formalities by reducing the number of declarations required from users.
The new procedure, as outlined in circular note number 156/DGD/DBP/DLC/SA dated October 21, 2026, signed by the Director-General of Customs, Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou, aims to make the process more efficient for importers, customs commissioners, transporters, economic operators, and other users of the customs administration. The reform has three main objectives: simplifying the modalities for establishing and clearing declarations under the temporary admission exception, allowing the processing of both the amortized and suspense parts in a single declaration, and eliminating the obligation to issue a separate declaration for putting into consumption.
Under the new system, users will submit a single temporary admission exception declaration, replacing the two separate declarations previously required. This declaration will include information on the amortization of goods, with two specific fields to be completed: "amortization time" and "suspension period". The "amortization time" field corresponds to the total duration needed for the complete amortization of the goods, while the "suspension period" field indicates the duration effectively amortized during the use of the goods.
The information provided in these fields will enable the system to automatically calculate the duties and taxes applicable, taking into account the total amortization time, the effectively amortized duration, and the taxation elements applicable to the goods. As a result, users will no longer need to submit a separate declaration for putting into consumption. This streamlined procedure aims to reduce the administrative burden on users and increase efficiency in customs operations.
In cases where an extension of the temporary admission exception is granted, the procedure will also be simplified. No new declaration will be required; instead, the operation will be directly processed on the existing declaration by the customs office of domicile, once the extension authorization is granted by the General Directorate of Customs.
The new temporary admission exception procedure is expected to benefit various stakeholders, including importers, customs commissioners, and economic operators, by reducing the complexity and time required for customs declarations. The General Directorate of Customs has encouraged users to familiarize themselves with the new procedure and requirements on the Customs Webb platform before the November 1, 2026 implementation date.
The implementation of this new procedure aligns with efforts to modernize and improve the efficiency of customs operations in Benin. By leveraging technology and streamlining processes, the customs administration aims to enhance the business environment and facilitate trade.
Key points
- The new temporary admission procedure will simplify formalities by replacing two declarations with a single declaration.
- The procedure will be implemented on the Customs Webb platform.
- The new system will automatically calculate duties and taxes based on provided information.
