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OMTRANS TRANSIT & TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS

Practical tools

Tracking of your containers and parcels, Incoterms 2020, container dimensions and official links — everything an importer or exporter needs, in one place.

No time to track your containers?

We do it for you: vessel tracking, arrival estimates (ETA), document preparation, alerts before berthing — you are informed at every step, with nothing to do. Service reserved for our mandated clients — write to us.

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Container tracking

Tracking by shipping line

Have your container or bill of lading (B/L) number ready and go straight to the official tracking of your shipping line.

MSCMediterranean Shipping Co.Track my container → CMA CGMCMA CGM GroupTrack my container → MaerskA.P. Moller-MaerskTrack my container → Hapag-LloydTrack by containerTrack my container → COSCOCOSCO Shipping LinesTrack my container → Arkas LineWeb trackingTrack my container → Turkon LineTracking via the Turkon siteTrack my container → MarfretMaghreb-Algeria lineTrack my container → Messina LineCNTR TrackingTrack my container → HMMHyundai — Track & TraceTrack my container →
Express freight

Express parcel tracking

DHLDHL Express AlgeriaTrack my shipment → FedExFedEx AlgeriaTrack my shipment → UPSUPS TrackingTrack my shipment → AramexAramex TrackingTrack my shipment →
Administration

Official links

Algerian CustomsDirectorate General of CustomsVisit the site → DGI — TaxesDirectorate General of Taxes (tax ID)Visit the site → CNRCTrade register — SidjilcomVisit the site → Ministry of TradeOfficial forms to downloadAccess the forms →
OAM (formerly ONML) — Measuring instruments Any import of measuring instruments is subject to an entry declaration and to the visa of the Algerian Metrology Office. Download the entry declaration → Import-visa file → OM TRANS supports its clients with this formality — write to us.
ONDA — Royalty The import of audio and audiovisual media and products is subject to the ONDA royalty. Register on the ONDA portal → Sign in → OM TRANS supports its clients with this formality — write to us.
ICC reference

Incoterms® 2020

The 11 rules in force since 1 January 2020. The chosen Incoterm determines who — seller or buyer — bears the costs and risks at each step.

IncotermMeaningKey takeaway
All modes of transport
EXWEx WorksThe buyer bears everything, from the seller's factory. Minimum obligation for the seller.
FCAFree CarrierThe seller delivers to the carrier nominated by the buyer. The most versatile.
CPTCarriage Paid ToThe seller pays the carriage; risk passes to the buyer on handover to the first carrier.
CIPCarriage & Insurance Paid ToLike CPT + "all-risks" insurance at the seller's expense. Not used for imports into Algeria (insurance must be local): use CPT.
DAPDelivered At PlaceThe seller delivers at the agreed place; the buyer clears the goods on import.
DPUDelivered at Place UnloadedLike DAP, but the seller unloads. Replaces the former DAT.
DDPDelivered Duty PaidThe seller bears everything, including import duties. Maximum obligation.
Sea and inland waterway transport only
FASFree Alongside ShipThe seller delivers alongside the vessel at the port of shipment.
FOBFree On BoardRisk passes to the buyer once the goods are on board. The most used in Algeria.
CFRCost & FreightThe seller pays the freight to the port of arrival; risk passes on board at departure.
CIFCost, Insurance & FreightLike CFR + insurance taken out by the seller. Not used for imports into Algeria (insurance must be local): buy CFR and insure with an Algerian company.

Algeria-specific rule: regulations require imported goods to be insured with a company established in Algeria. Incoterms that include insurance taken out abroad (CIF, CIP) are therefore not used on import — CFR or CPT is preferred, together with local insurance.

Incoterms® is a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The choice of Incoterm has a direct impact on the customs value and the amount of duties and taxes — our declarants advise you on the rule best suited to your operation.

For more detail, download our Incoterms® 2020 Guide The 11 rules explained one by one, a responsibility summary table, a risk-transfer chart and the impact on customs value — 11 pages, free.
⬇  Download the guide (PDF)
Tax base

Customs value

Together with tariff classification and origin, the customs value is one of the three pillars on which your duties and taxes are calculated. Getting it right secures your operation and avoids reassessments and penalties.

The primary method is the transaction value: the price actually paid or payable for the goods, adjusted to reflect the costs incurred up to the point of entry into Algerian territory. Some elements are added, others are excluded.

Added to the price

  • Transport up to the point of entry
  • Insurance (taken out with an Algerian company)
  • Selling commissions (excluding buying commissions)
  • Packing and conditioning costs
  • Royalties and licence fees relating to the goods
  • Buyer's inputs (materials, tooling, designs) supplied to the seller

Not included in the value

— where distinct from the price and supported —
  • Transport beyond the point of entry (inland carriage)
  • Costs of assembly, installation, assistance after importation
  • Duties and taxes paid in Algeria
  • Buying commissions

When the price is not enough: the fallback methods

When the transaction value cannot be used, the Code applies, in order, five substitute methods:

  1. Identical goods — value of identical goods already imported.
  2. Similar goods — value of comparable goods.
  3. Deductive method — based on the resale price in Algeria, less costs.
  4. Computed value — based on production cost, profit and expenses.
  5. Fallback — by reasonable means consistent with the above principles.

The chosen Incoterm directly affects the customs value: it determines what is already included in the invoice and what must be added (transport, local insurance). To understand this impact, see our Incoterms section and our Incoterms® 2020 Guide. Our pre-alert study quantifies this value — and therefore your duties and taxes — before you ship.

Ref.: WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation (Article VII of the GATT 1994), transposed into the Algerian Customs Code.

Equipment

Container types and dimensions

Usable internal dimensions and indicative loads — to choose the right equipment and optimise your stuffing, on import as on export.

20' DRY

Internal length
5.90 m
Internal width
2.35 m
Internal height
2.39 m
Volume
≈ 33 m³
Payload
≈ 28 t

40' DRY

Internal length
12.03 m
Internal width
2.35 m
Internal height
2.39 m
Volume
≈ 67 m³
Payload
≈ 26.5 t

40' HIGH CUBE

Internal length
12.03 m
Internal width
2.35 m
Internal height
2.69 m
Volume
≈ 76 m³
Payload
≈ 26.5 t

20' REEFER

Volume
≈ 28 m³
Payload
≈ 27.5 t
Temperature
-30° to +30°C
Use
Perishables

40' REEFER HC

Volume
≈ 67 m³
Payload
≈ 29 t
Temperature
-30° to +30°C
Use
Perishables

OPEN TOP / FLAT RACK

Open Top
Open roof
Use
Crane loading
Flat Rack
Platform
Use
Out-of-gauge

Indicative values — exact dimensions vary slightly by manufacturer and shipping line. For an out-of-gauge load or an industrial project, consult us: we determine the suitable equipment.

Glossary

Customs glossary

The terms you will come across in your import-export operations in Algeria, explained simply.

ALCESAlgerian Customs Electronic System — the Algerian customs' electronic system (replacing the former SIGAD): all declarations are filed, processed and tracked there.
MRN (manifest number)Registration number, in ALCES, of a vessel's entire cargo manifest (e.g. 26A0021000019ICS). It identifies the whole cargo.
CRN (article number)Identifies the goods of a specific client. In ALCES it is made of the MRN followed by the 4-digit article number (e.g. 26A0021000019ICS + 0045). It triggers the storage period for those goods.
Green / orange / red channelsLevel of control assigned to a declaration in ALCES: green = release without control; orange = documentary control; red = documentary control and physical inspection. The greener the channel, the faster the clearance.
Tariff code / HS codeThe first 6 digits — the Harmonized System (HS) of the World Customs Organization (WCO): 4 for the heading, 6 for the subheading — are identical in all member countries. The national tariff code extends them with Algeria-specific digits: the Algerian Customs Tariff (TDA) is a 10-digit code that sets the duty rate, VAT and required authorizations. A wrong code = reassessment and penalties.
Customs valueBasis for calculating duties and taxes — see our dedicated section.
IncotermInternational rule allocating costs and risks between seller and buyer — see our Incoterms section.
Storage periodLegal period (8 days, 2025 Finance Act) during which the goods may stay before an overstay fine.
Storage charges (magasinage)Fees charged by the port for the goods' standing, at progressive rates.
Demurrage (surestaries)Fees charged by the carrier for immobilizing its container beyond the free time. The free days and the rate depend on your B/L terms and the carrier's tariff — check them on receipt.
Delivery order (bon à enlever)Authorization to remove the goods from the port area, once the declaration is settled.
Mainlevée (litigation release)Clearance authorization obtained after settling a litigation procedure (e.g. overstay).
Bank domiciliationBank formality prior to import, required in most cases before the goods are shipped. It is proof of the banking traceability of the transaction and of its authorization, issued after the bank's internal controls.
Advance declarationDetailed declaration filed before the goods arrive (Article 86 bis of the Customs Code).
AEOAuthorised Economic Operator: a trusted status opening customs facilitations and a green channel.
EUR.1Movement certificate attesting the preferential origin of the goods (Algeria–EU Association Agreement); it gives entitlement to exemption from customs duties. For eligible shipments it may be replaced by an origin declaration on the invoice.
FCL / LCLFull Container Load / Less than Container Load (groupage), where your goods share the container — see the detailed explanation in the FAQ.
Mandate (customs broker)Document appointing an approved customs broker to declare on your behalf. Valid for one year, it can cover a single operation or several — it is the first step.

A term you don't know? Ask us — we speak your language and that of customs.