Angola CNCA/ARC Certificate

Angola ARCCLA (formerly CNCA) — What It Is

Since 1994, the Angolan Government has required a mandatory Loading Certificate for all sea freight destined for Angola. The certificate is issued by ARCCLA (Agência Reguladora de Certificação de Cargas e Logística de Angola) — the regulatory body that replaced the CNCA. Both names are still used interchangeably in the shipping industry, so you’ll see references to both ARCCLA and CNCA. They mean the same thing.

The certificate is based on your shipping documents and records the cargo type, quantity, freight and goods value, container details, and loading and discharge port information. Each Bill of Lading requires its own unique certificate number.

Without a valid ARCCLA/CNCA number, cargo cannot clear customs at Luanda, Lobito, or Namibe.

Required Documents

To process your Angola Loading Certificate, provide clear PDF copies of the following:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy is acceptable for the initial application
• Commercial Invoice — must include HS codes for each item, and show FOB value and freight cost separately
• Freight Invoice — required if freight is not detailed on the commercial invoice
• Packing List
• D.U. (Documento Único) — the mandatory import license issued by the Angolan Ministry; the importer in Angola must provide this before the certificate can be issued
• Angola Loading Certificate from country of shipment
• Phytosanitary Certificate — required for certain cargo types (food, plants, agricultural products)

You can cancel the application at any point during the process.

Processing Time

The ARCCLA/CNCA process typically requires approximately 96 hours from submission to full certification. Once we receive your complete documents and payment, we issue a draft certificate for your review within 1 hour. Final validation by Angolan authorities then takes up to 24–48 hours.

The full cycle — from document submission to certified number — generally runs about 4 days. Factor this into your shipping timeline.

Important: Angola Requires Hard Copies

Unlike most cargo tracking certificates which are digital, Angola requires hard copies of the CNCA documentation for customs clearance. Make sure the importer in Angola is prepared to present physical paperwork at the port — digital copies alone won’t suffice.

Labelling Requirements for Angola

All goods exported to Angola must carry labels written in Portuguese that include:

• Ingredients or contents
• Expiration date
• Quantity and weight
• Production batch number
• Manufacturer and seller information
• Country of origin

This is a customs requirement for all commercial shipments — not just food products.

Vehicle Import Regulations

Per Angolan regulations enforced by ANTT (Agência Nacional dos Transportes Terrestres):

• Light vehicles (cars, minivans): cannot exceed 5 years old
• Heavy vehicles (trucks, buses for 10+ passengers): cannot exceed 8 years old

Importers must obtain a vehicle authorization letter from ANTT before shipping.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Shipping to Angola without a validated ARCCLA number carries serious consequences:

• Fines of up to 100% of the freight cost, plus official government penalties
• Cargo detention at the port of discharge, with daily demurrage charges accumulating
• Refusal of entry in serious cases — Angolan customs can turn cargo away entirely

What Products Are Prohibited?

The following cannot be imported into Angola:

• Animals and animal by-products from epidemic-affected areas
• Plants from areas with epiphytic diseases
• Certain distilled beverages and alcohol
• Pornographic materials and slot machines
• Vehicles older than the age limits stated above
• Biotechnology products (antibiotics, vaccines, GMOs, transgenic plants) without proper authorisation
• Poorly packaged or improperly canned food products
• Used batteries, accumulators, and tyres

We do not process certificates for illegal goods or equipment.

Angola Trade — Key Figures

Angola is one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest economies, driven primarily by oil exports. Import volume runs at approximately 19.5 billion USD annually, with exports at around 33 billion USD. Major imports include industrial machinery, iron and steel, vehicles, chemical products, and consumer goods. Primary trading partners include China, Portugal, Brazil, and South Africa.

FAQ

What is the difference between ARCCLA and CNCA? Functionally, none. ARCCLA is the regulatory body that replaced the CNCA. You’ll encounter both terms — they refer to the same certificate and process.

When must I apply? You must apply and have the reference number validated before the vessel departs the loading port. Post-departure applications face additional scrutiny and potential additional charges.

Is the D.U. always required? Yes, for all commercial shipments. The Angolan importer must supply the D.U. — it cannot be obtained from outside Angola.