Mauritania

Scope

Mauritania Customs says a new Customs Code, Law No. 2026-015, was enacted on 24 May 2026, replacing the 2017 law. Maritime matters also involve maritime and port authorities; their public service information is mainly for fishing vessels and does not establish clearance procedures for private recreational yachts. Confirm the entry port, temporary admission, period of stay and port formalities for a foreign yacht with customs and port authorities at the intended destination.

Ports of entry and departure

Official e-visa information refers to entry through international points of entry but does not list ports where foreign private yachts can clear. Nouakchott Port publishes a general vessel-arrival declaration form, but this does not confirm that it receives yachts or provides all customs, immigration and quarantine services. Before departure, obtain written confirmation from the port authority, customs and immigration about ports that can process yacht arrivals.

Pre-arrival notification

Article 46 of Mauritania's Maritime Code includes vessels used for yacht recreation within the definition of a “sea-going vessel.” Article 17 requires a vessel intending to call at a Mauritanian port or wharf to notify the harbour master or management authority at least 72 hours before its expected arrival, submitting an entry declaration, vessel and local-agent information, safety certificates, cargo and dangerous-goods details, crew and stores lists, maritime health declaration and passenger list where applicable. The master must confirm again and request entry permission six hours before expected arrival. Before sailing, confirm submission channel, document format and agent requirements with the destination port.

Verification status: Officially checked online. The law expressly covers recreational yachts; confirm the submission method for the specific port.

Crew and passenger entry

Foreign nationals apply for Mauritanian visas through the official e-visa system; eligibility, category, validity and fees depend on passport nationality and purpose of visit. French and UK government travel information also advises checking visa requirements in advance according to individual circumstances. A visa or eligibility to enter through an international port does not authorize the yacht to berth or crew to go ashore. Check ANRPTS requirements for each person and confirm entry by sea with immigration at the seaport.

Vessel customs

The new Customs Code, Law No. 2026-015, replaced the 2017 law. The temporary-import conditions, period, guarantee and specific clearance documents for foreign private yachts under the new law have not been verified. Fishing-vessel permits and operating rules should not be applied automatically to foreign recreational yachts. Before arrival, confirm applicable rules and the vessel declaration list with Mauritania Customs and the port agent.

Quarantine and biosecurity

Foreign government travel information says travellers from certain yellow-fever risk areas may have to show proof of vaccination. This is a traveller health requirement, not yacht quarantine guidance. No official Mauritanian requirements specifically for pets, food, plants, catch or waste aboard foreign yachts were found. Confirm crew health documents and declaration/disposal requirements for onboard items with health and quarantine authorities at the intended port.

Restricted items

French travel advice says travellers may not bring alcoholic beverages or pork products into Mauritania. This concerns general traveller/border items and does not establish the rules for stores aboard a yacht, including declaration, retention aboard under seal or disposal. Confirm permits and carriage conditions for weapons, medicines, alcohol, pork products and plant/animal products item by item with Mauritania Customs. Do not extend traveller rules to yachts without confirmation.

Port procedures

Nouakchott Port's harbour-master duties information refers to general port operations such as VHF contact, waiting and entry instructions, berthing and checks of vessel documents. It does not establish that all foreign private yachts follow the same procedure or that this is a national standard. Before arrival, confirm the VHF channel, anchorage, berthing permission, clearance sequence and office hours with the harbour master and agent at the destination port.

Fees and departure

Some visa applicants may be required to pay visa fees in cash in euros or US dollars as instructed by the authorities. This is a visa fee, not a yacht-entry, port-service or departure-clearance charge. No current port and clearance fee schedule for foreign private yachts was found. Before arrival, request a written quotation for the vessel from the destination port and agent, and confirm customs release and settlement of all port, agent and service charges before departure. Yacht fees remain unverified.