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Licensed Guide 6 min read15/01/2026

SAD 500 explained for foreign importers

A practical guide to the Single Administrative Document for companies importing cargo through Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Your licensed clearing agent - All ASYCUDA submissions, follow-ups, amendments, and release coordination handled by our team under full NamRA license.

SAD 500 explained for foreign importers

The Single Administrative Document (SAD 500) is the primary customs declaration form used at Walvis Bay port and all Namibian ports of entry. Every commercial import into Namibia requires a correctly completed SAD 500 before cargo can be released.

What the SAD 500 contains

The SAD 500 captures the following information about your shipment:

  • Importer details and TIN number
  • Exporter details and country of origin
  • Transport and routing information
  • Full description of goods and HS tariff codes
  • Customs value in Namibian dollars (CIF basis)
  • Applicable duty rates and calculated duty amounts
  • Any permits, certificates, or additional documentation required

Why errors are costly

A SAD 500 with incorrect values, wrong HS codes, or missing information triggers a NamRA query. This pauses the clearance process until the query is resolved. Each day of delay at Walvis Bay accumulates demurrage charges that can reach USD 3,000–8,000 per vessel day.

Common errors that trigger holds: - HS code does not match the goods description - Customs value understated relative to the commercial invoice - Missing country of origin certificate for preferential duty rates - Importer TIN not registered or not matching NamRA records

How WalvisLink handles your SAD 500

When you upload your commercial invoice, bill of lading, and packing list, your named WalvisLink agent extracts every required field, validates the HS code against the Namibia Customs Tariff, calculates the correct duty amount, and prepares a complete SAD 500 draft for your review — same day.

You review and approve. We submit to ASYCUDA World and manage all NamRA follow-up through to release.

[Start your first clearance →](/login)

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Related guides

  • [ASYCUDA Selectivity & Green-Channel Profiling](/resources/asycuda-selectivity-green-channel-profile)
  • [NamRA Advance Tariff Rulings](/resources/advance-tariff-ruling-namra)
  • [Customs Compliance Audits in Namibia](/resources/customs-compliance-audit-namra)
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