All imported products must clearly indicate their country of origin. Goods produced in the United States must be labeled “MADE IN THE U.S.A.” or bear an equivalent marking in French. Products that do not indicate their origin are not permitted entry into Côte d’Ivoire. Labels and user instructions should be in French, the country’s official language. For consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and food products, French-language labeling is mandatory. For high-technology and electronic equipment, including telecommunications devices, computer hardware, and photocopiers, all user interfaces, instruction manuals, and software must be in French, and the equipment must comply with European electrical and metric standards.

Manufactured food products must display both the country of origin and an expiration date. Authorities may interpret the manufacturing date as the expiration date if no separate expiry date is printed, which can lead to product rejection at the border. Exporters should therefore include both the manufacturing and expiration dates to avoid confusion. Nutritional information, ingredient lists, and net weight or volume should also appear in French, and all units of measure must conform to the metric system.

Electrical and electronic products must meet applicable safety and performance standards. Labels should specify voltage, frequency, and power consumption in metric units, and conformity marks should be displayed when required. For pharmaceuticals and medical devices, labels must comply with health authority regulations, including approved product names, active ingredients, dosage forms, storage conditions, expiration dates, and any mandatory safety warnings.

Advertising and health claims on product labels are also regulated. Health-related or therapeutic claims on food, beverages, or supplements must comply with Ivoirian laws and may require prior approval from the competent authority. Misleading or English-only advertising on consumer or health products can result in non-compliance and potential product seizure.

In general, exporters should ensure that all labels contain the product name, manufacturer or importer name and address, lot or batch number, net and gross weights, manufacturing and expiration dates (where applicable), and any usage or safety instructions. Ensuring that this information appears clearly in French and that labeling aligns with Ivoirian and WAEMU standards will facilitate customs clearance and market acceptance.