Mercearias mainly sell everyday food and imported packaged goods. Supermarkets and specialty shops usually offer a broader range, while municipal markets and Feiras offer fresh produce, fish, meat, clothing, and handicrafts. Street vendors, tourist shops, pharmacies, telecommunications shops, and smaller informal vendors add to the available options. Markets are documented, among other places, in Mindelo, Santa Maria, Ribeira Grande, and Assomada. Praia, Mindelo, Sal, and Boa Vista generally have a more formalized, tourism-oriented selection; on the outer islands and in rural areas, availability depends more heavily on transport and resupply between islands. For personal-care products, cosmetics, food, and technical equipment, packaging, expiry dates, ingredients, safety markings, and the seller’s name and contact details should be identifiable. For electronics, the purchase documentation should include an invoice, warranty terms, customer service details, and a serial number or IMEI. Also check the voltage, plug type, and compatibility with the power network. Counterfeit goods and products of unclear origin may occur especially at informal points of sale. The legal tender is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE). Cash remains practically necessary at markets, stalls, and small shops. Electronic payments include the Rede Vinti4 network (Rede Vinti4), with ATMs, POS terminals, TeleVinti4, and Vinti4net; depending on the vendor, Vinti4, Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, or Maestro may be accepted. An international card or mobile payment does not work at every point of sale. Look for visible card logos, possible fees, the exchange rate, and a receipt. Electronic money and payment services may be offered only by legally authorized providers. For an in-store purchase, there is no generally established right to return faultless goods merely because of a change of mind. Therefore, ask about exchange or refund conditions before paying and keep the invoice or receipt. For a defective or non-conforming product, contact the seller first. Photos, packaging, proof of payment, and messages make the review easier. The outcome depends on the circumstances, the contract, and any applicable sector-specific rules. Consumer rights under Law No. 88/V/98 include quality, physical safety, information, economic interests, and the prevention and repair of damage. Law No. 41/X/2024 applies to digital services and electronic commerce. Before purchase, a formal trader or platform should provide, among other things, the seller’s identity, price, shipping details, and expected delivery, and confirm the order on a durably storable medium. For an online contract, the withdrawal period is generally 14 days; for goods, it begins on delivery, and for services, when the contract is concluded. Exceptions include, among other things, personalized or rapidly perishable goods, opened sealed hygiene or health products, opened software or data media, and certain leisure, transport, and restaurant services. The buyer normally bears return shipping costs if this was disclosed in advance. Orders through social networks or WhatsApp require checking the seller, price, delivery island, delivery date, and payment provider. For orders from abroad, customs, taxes, transport, and release depend on the goods, origin, shipping route, and island. The Comercio portal (Portal Comercio) gives a maximum of 100,000 ECV and 150 kilograms for personal imports in non-commercial quantities; product-specific permits may also apply. Possible charges it lists include import duties of 0 to 30 percent, a trade tax of 0.5 percent, electronic clearance fees, ecological charges of 2 to 200 ECV per kilogram, and value-added tax (IVA) of 15 percent. These figures do not guarantee a final total. Before ordering, check the current treatment by DNRE and DGA or the customs authority (Alfândega), as well as freight, customs clearance, and inter-island delivery. For complaints, first identify the trader and contact them with the complete purchase documentation. The Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (AdC) may deal with consumer interests and competition; municipalities may provide consumer information under Law No. 88/V/98. For regulated services, the responsible sector regulator may also have jurisdiction. A single nationwide complaints procedure for all retail purchases has not been established. The Ecological Tax (Taxa Ecológica) applies to certain packaging, batteries, tires, electronic equipment, and other goods. Law No. 22/X/2023 also regulates the distribution, import, and distribution of single-use plastics. Reusable bags reduce single-use consumption; however, a uniform return point for every product has not been established. Before buying, compare at least two sources, clarify the full price in CVE including delivery and possible import costs, inspect the goods and packaging, choose a traceable payment method, and keep receipts, order confirmations, and messages with the seller.
Shopping in Cabo Verde
Shopping in Cabo Verde takes place through neighborhood grocery stores (Mercearias), supermarkets, specialty shops, markets, open-air fairs (Feiras), and informal vendors. Prices are quoted in the Cape Verdean escudo (Cabo-Verde-Escudo); CVE is used as its abbreviation. Cash remains especially common at markets, with small vendors, and on the outer islands. Product ranges, delivery times, and card acceptance vary by island and point of sale. Online purchases are subject to additional information, delivery, and return rules.
Tip
Choose the point of sale according to the product and the risk involved: markets are often suitable for fresh goods and local products, while formal shops are generally better for traceable prices, invoices, and warranties. Allow extra time, cash, and possible delivery, customs, and clearance costs for purchases on the outer islands, online orders, and imports. Keep every record so that you can follow up effectively with the seller if there are defects or delivery problems.