Relocating to Mauritius

Also note that most of the houses or apartments for rent in Mauritius are furnished and equipped with household appliances.

How to get to Mauritius?

With 18 airlines, including Air Mauritius (MK), serving Mauritius from 25 airports worldwide, most travelers fly to Mauritius. 

Approximately 854 flights per month (196 flights per week) land at the country's only international airport, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport, located in the Southeast of the island.

The majority of airlines operating to Mauritius:

• Air Mauritius - 11 flights to Mauritius;
• Corsair - 2 flights;
• Turkish Airlines - 2 flights;
• Air Austral - 2 flights;
• Edelweiss Air - 2 flights;
• Neos - 2 flights;
• Air Seychelles - 1 flight;
• Air Belgium - 1 flight;
• Kenya Airways - 1 flight;
• South African Airways - 1 flight;
• Emirates - 1 flight;
• Austrian Airlines - 1 flight.

Non-stop flights from Europe to Mauritius:

• Air Mauritius: all year round from Saint-Denis, London Heathrow and Paris (CDG);
• Corsair: all year round from Saint-Denis and Paris (Orly);
• Air Austral: all year round from Saint-Denis;
• British Airways (Oneworld): year-round from London Gatwick;
• Air France (SkyTeam): year-round from Paris (CDG);
• Air Belgium: year-round from Brussels;
• Neos: seasonal flights from Rome (Fiumicino);
• AustrianAirlines (Star Alliance): seasonal flights from Vienna;
• Condor: year-round from Frankfurt;
• Eurowings: year-round from Frankfurt;
• Edelweiss Air: year-round from Zurich.

Non-stop flights from the Middle East / West Asia to Mauritius

• Neos: year-round from Tel Aviv;
• Emirates: year-round from Dubai;
• Saudi Arabian (SkyTeam): year-round from Jeddah;
• Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance): year-round from Istanbul.

Non-stop flights from India / South Asia to Mauritius

Only Air Mauritius currently offers non-stop flights from India or South Asia to Mauritius. The airline serves Mauritius year-round from Mumbai.

Non-stop flights from East Asia to Mauritius

Only Air Mauritius currently offers nonstop flights from East Asia to Mauritius. The Mauritian airline operates year-round flights to Mauritius from Hong Kong.

Non-stop flights from Southeast Asia to Mauritius

Only Air Mauritius currently offers non-stop flights between Southeast Asia and Mauritius. The airline also operates year-round flights from Kuala Lumpur.

Non-stop flights between Australia / New Zealand / Oceania / Pacific and Mauritius

Only Air Mauritius currently offers non-stop flights between Oceania and Mauritius. The airline also operates year-round flights from Perth.

There are no direct flights from the following destinations to Mauritius: 

• United States;
• Canada;
• South America;
• Central America;
• The Caribbean;
• China;
• Japan;
• Central Asia.

Read also Transportation in Mauritius

Is it necessary to hire an international mover to relocate to Mauritius?

It is normal to want to manage the transportation of your belongings when you move, but the situation is different when the move is international. However, the question remains: do you really need an international mover to relocate to Mauritius? Here are some preliminary questions to help you out: 

• Are you moving alone or with your family? 
• Do you intend to take all your belongings with you or not? 
• What is the volume to be transported?

An international moving expert can send an agent to your home to evaluate the volume to be transported and determine the best solution (container, pallets by cubic meter, or canteens). This simple service will bring you all the serenity you need if you are moving with your family and if you plan to send all your belongings!

The different types of freight in Mauritius

Depending on your budget, the volume of goods to be shipped and your preferences, you can choose between air freight and sea freight. Let's take a look at how each solution can meet your needs and their advantages and disadvantages.

Air freight

Sending your belongings by air is more expensive: up to about 16 times more expensive than shipping by sea. To determine the total bill, carriers take into consideration the volumetric weight, which is the billable or gross dimensional weight of the cargo. 

In return, expatriates benefit from a quicker process and more secure delivery, which typically ranges from a few days to 10 days.

In addition, the shipment of certain goods by air freight requires the production of an official certificate or authorization from the customs of the country of origin and destination and other third-party authorities. For example, sending telecommunications equipment by air freight requires written authorization from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), depending on the country of origin.

Calculate the volumetric weight of your goods by multiplying for each package: (Width X length X height) / 5000.

Sea freight

Sea freight becomes more interesting financially if you want to ship all your goods, including heavy goods. A more affordable bill even if you have to add extra charges for handling the goods from the country of departure and arrival or for customs clearance.

Sea freight is also the most environmentally friendly solution when you consider that for every 1,000 kg of air freight, a modern cargo plane (B747) emits an average of 500 g of carbon dioxide (CO2) per km. By sea on a modern container ship, this figure is reduced to 15 g per km. 

On the other hand, the waiting time between shipping and receiving the goods can be 4 to 5 weeks and up to 70 days.

Depending on the volume to be moved, you can choose between 2 sea freight options: 

• Full Container Load (FCL): this involves renting a container for your own use without having to share the space with others. Containers are generally larger than 30 m³.
• Shared moving container (Less Container Load - LCL): This is a formula for sharing a maritime container with one or more people. The price is divided according to the number of tenants. This formula is interesting if the volume to be moved is not too important.

Finally, shipping containers are available in several sizes: 

• 10 m³    
• 20 m³    
• 30 m³
• 40 m³ and more

Choice of the carrier to Mauritius

Preferably choose an international carrier referenced by professional associations such as FIDI (Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux) with a structured network and a local partner in order to facilitate the customs clearance formalities and the final delivery. This choice will ensure a safe move.

Start by contacting several international moving companies and analyze the following points to select the best-rated: 

• Knowledge and experience in international moving;
• Management of packing on departure and unpacking once on site of furniture, appliances, fragile goods;
• Responsibility for goods in transit, including liability for the early arrival of goods or delays, storage of goods;
• Knowledge of the shipping process, including the time required to ship the goods;
• Equipment, e.g., for transporting heavy and/or fragile goods, protective covers, straps, etc.

Once you have selected the best-rated movers, read the reviews submitted by customers and, if possible, ask your questions directly on expatriate forums and expatriate groups on social networks. 

The moving contract

The contract must include several essential points: 

• The departure address/place of collection of goods;
• The arrival address in Mauritius;
• The volume;
• The type of transport and the duration;
• The services and obligations of the carrier;
• Price;
• The conditions of transport to the place of residence;
• Insurance coverage.

Useful links:

International Federation of International Movers - FIDI

Federation of European Movers - FEDEMAC

Services

It is up to you to define with the carrier what services are required: 

• Dismantling of the furniture;
• Packing of all or part of the belongings;
• Specific packing;
• Supply of boxes;
• Furniture storage;
• Follow-up of the movements of the boat of transport;
• Insurance;
• Transport of vehicles, etc.

For an international move, it is wise to entrust the packing of fragile objects to a professional.

Waybill

The waybill includes the terms of the contract, the mode of transport, the volume transported, the name and address of the customer and the transport company, etc. 

You will have to sign it at the time of loading and at the time of the final delivery.

Timeframe

The total duration of a move from your home to Mauritius is 4 to 5 weeks for a departure from Europe. Keep in mind that international moving also involves road transport to the port of departure and then sea transport. 

If the carrier generally indicates a date coinciding with the departure of cargo ships, prepare your international move with our calendar: 

10 weeks before the move

Canvass international moving companies. Request several quotes and select the most reliable and cost-effective one.

8 weeks before the move

Create a moving action plan with your mover (arrival time of movers, time needed to pack, etc.).

6 weeks before the move

Sort through your belongings and select which ones you will ship, donate and resell. Note that all types of appliances are available in Mauritius, including the latest in refrigerators, etc.

4 weeks before the move

Make a plan of your home in Mauritius and start allocating the right boxes to the right rooms. 

2 weeks before the move

Separate your personal and family medical records so that they are within reach.

1 week before the move

Check in with your mover and make a note of the movers' names, the time the crew will arrive, the time it will take to pack your belongings and the time it will take to ship them.

The day of the move

For better coordination, be present in person to facilitate this step!

Customs clearance of the container upon arrival in Mauritius

You will be notified of the arrival of your container at the Port-Louis harbor and invited to present yourself at the MRA to complete the required formalities with your identity papers, your Occupation Permit or the approval in principle (pre-approval of the occupation permit) if the procedures are in progress, the list of your personal belongings, as well as their evaluation.

List and Declaration of Value

It is essential to make a very precise list of the contents of the container (or crate) in order to establish the "declaration of value". This is required to establish the estimate and to establish, in case of loss or damage of your goods, compensation according to the loss. Keep a copy of this list. 

Consequently, "damage insurance" can be offered by the carrier to cover the non-foreseeable damages related to the transport of your goods up to the value indicated in your declaration. An insurance contract will be issued to you.

Local forwarder

It is mandatory to use a forwarding agent to assist you in your customs clearance, authorization to leave the container from the port area, and, if necessary, for home delivery.

Read also Accommodation in Mauritius

Prohibited products in Mauritius

Several dozen types of goods are totally prohibited for import in Mauritius. This is due to sanitary, environmental, endangered species protection, security, legislation, etc.

Prepare your international move and avoid your goods being confiscated and fines by the Mauritian customs authorities by respecting the list of products prohibited to import into Mauritius issued by the Mauritius Revenue Authority.

Read also Customs in Mauritius

Transport and delivery to the home in Mauritius

Some carriers do not deliver to the final destination but only until the container arrives at the port. Therefore, there could be additional costs involved for this last leg.

Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA)

Custom House

Mer Rouge - Port Louis

Phone: (230) 202 05 00 / 01

Fax: (230) 216 95 67

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.mra.mu 

Mauritius Ports Authority

H.Ramnarain Building

Mer Rouge - Port Louis

Phone: (230) 206 54 00

Fax: (230) 240 08 56

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.mauport.com 

Professional Association of Freight Forwarders

C/o The Mauritius Chamber of Commerce & Industry

3 Royal Street, Port-Louis

Web: www.aptmauritius.com 

Important:

In order to be authorized to pick up your container, you must be in possession of your Occupation Permit or the approval in principle if the process of obtaining it is in progress. If not, the container will remain blocked in customs. There is a fee for the storage of the container (and sometimes the rental). An appointment will be made at the docks. The customs control will open the container in your presence. All or part of the boxes and packaging can be opened to check the contents. Heavy penalties are incurred in the case of prohibited products in Mauritius.