Cargo release without original B/L in Angola

We were informed by PIL, that the Angolan General Tax Administration has issued a notice allowing Angolan Customs to handover containers to Angolan importers without presentation of original Bills of Lading or release from the carrier.

Carriers have thus no control over cargo once discharged in Angolan ports. The carriers will not be liable for delivery of cargo without presentation of original B/L at the Angolan ports.

Ozean and PIL therefore strongly recommend that the shippers obtain payments for their cargo before loading at the port of origin.