Cape Verde

You're traveling with a GoPro Hero 12 and its original housing, valued at approximately 500 €. Cape Verdean law allows '1 camera' duty-free, which in principle covers your action cam, but the value exceeds the general threshold of 15,000 CVE (~136 €). At Sal or Praia airport, go through the red channel as a precaution and show your used equipment with its invoice. Explain that these are personal, non-commercial items intended to leave with you. In practice, a single, visibly used compact camera usually passes without difficulty. Main risk: an overzealous agent might demand a deposit or duties if the equipment appears new and in its original packaging. Keep the box at home, photograph your kit before departure, and keep the invoice on your phone. The ATA Carnet is not accepted in Cape Verde, so there's no point in requesting one.

Your kit: Sony A6700, Ikelite housing, two strobes, valued at approximately 3,500 €. You far exceed the 15,000 CVE allowance, and the official text only covers one camera. Upon arrival (DGA – Direção Geral das Alfândegas), always use the red channel and request a temporary import declaration (importação temporária), valid for up to one year with duty exemption, provided the equipment is re-exported in its original condition. Present a detailed list, preferably in Portuguese (make, model, serial number, value), and your invoices. The ATA Carnet is not recognized: this local procedure is your only formal protection. Risk: without a declaration, exiting the country with visible equipment (bulky housing) can trigger an inspection and retroactive taxation, or even confiscation. Allow 30 to 60 minutes upon arrival and keep the document provided until departure.

Expert setup: Canon R5 II, Nauticam housing, two Retra strobes, aluminum arms, macro and fisheye lenses, valued at approximately 15,000 €. This level of equipment can be considered professional gear by the DGA. Since the ATA Carnet is not accepted in Cape Verde, prepare a bilingual inventory (Portuguese/English) with serial numbers, unit values, and photos, along with invoices, before departure. Upon arrival, the red channel is mandatory: request the temporary import regime (up to 1 year, renewable), which exempts duties in exchange for a commitment to re-export the equipment without modification. A security deposit or bond may be required; request an official receipt. Risks: taxation according to the national customs tariff (rate not published for this category), or confiscation of equipment if commercial import is suspected. If you are working for a media outlet or production, contact the DGA or your local dive center in advance to confirm the procedure.

Does the ATA Carnet work in Cape Verde for my underwater photo equipment?

No. Cape Verde is not a member of the ATA chain, and the Carnet is not accepted there. The only formal procedure is the local temporary import managed by the Direção Geral das Alfândegas: duty exemption for up to one year, renewable, provided the equipment is re-exported in its original condition. Prepare a detailed inventory with serial numbers and invoices before departure.

Does the 15,000 CVE allowance cover my housing and strobes?

Not explicitly. The official, older text only mentions one camera and one portable video camera as duty-free; housings, strobes, and arms are not mentioned. The general allowance of 15,000 CVE (~136 €) is exceeded by almost any underwater photo kit. Therefore, declare everything at the red channel and request temporary import to avoid any issues upon departure.

What are the risks of going through the green channel without declaring at Sal or Praia?

In case of inspection, the DGA can apply national import duties (rate not published for the photo category), impose a fine, or even confiscate the equipment. A bulky underwater housing attracts attention on X-ray scans. Going through the red channel with invoices and requesting temporary import takes a little time but secures the entry and exit of all your equipment.