On 23 April 2021, BNA Order 2/21, of 24 March 2021, comes into force, establishing rules applicable to the settlement of transactions for the supply of goods and services by service providers resident in Angola – i.e. Port Service Providers – to foreign-exchange “non-resident” maritime operators that moor vessels in national ports (“Maritime Operators”).

The Order stipulates that payment for said transactions must be invoiced and settled in foreign currency, regardless of whether it is done by the Maritime Operator or by his Shipping Agent.

To this end, the Maritime Operator must transfer the relevant amount in foreign currency to a foreign-currency bank account domiciled in the country and held either by its Shipping Agent, for subsequent payment to the Port Service Provider, or by the Port Service Provider.

Alternatively, the Maritime Operator may use foreign currency already held in a bank account of a “foreign exchange non-resident” opened by Maritime Operator with a commercial bank based in the country.

The opening of a bank account abroad by Shipping Agents and Port Service Providers can only be done with prior authorization from the BNA, as provided by the Foreign Exchange Law.

Breach of the rules contained in the Order constitutes a contravention foreseen and punished under the Foreign Exchange Law and the Financial Institutions Law.

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