Country Guide: Burkina Faso

Updated: November 18, 2015

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of Passport
  • Packing list
  • Original Bill of Lading (OBL) – no Express Release accepted / Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Original detailed inventory in French dated, valued and signed by the shipper
  • Invoices for all items bought less than 6 months prior to shipment (including electrical and hi-fi appliances)
  • Residence Permit / Work Permit / Letter of Employment
  • Non-sale Certificate (must state that the client will not sell personal household goods)
  • Certificate of Change of Residence (from the City Hall or departure consulate)
  • Bordereau Electronique de Suivi de Cargaison / Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC)
  • Diplomatic Exemption (Diplomats)

 

Specific Information

  • A Certificate for Free Entry must be obtained from the Customs head office to avoid a duty payment.
  • An import tax will be levied on all non-diplomatic personal effects shipments (UEMOA Tax 1.5% declared value).
  • A COTECNA pre-inspection is requested for commercial goods beyond 3 million CFA f ($ 6 174 / 4 574 €). The pre-inspection must be organized with COTECNA in the origin country; otherwise, the fine to be paid to the customs authorities is 20% of the total value of the goods.
  • The taxable goods must be accompanied by all the usual documents in addition to the commercial invoice with the detailed value and the number of each item, the number of parcels and the total weight.
  • The Diplomatic Exemption may take up to 4 weeks to obtain (Diplomats).
  • The Diplomatic Mission must apply for the Diplomatic Exemption (Diplomats).

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Original vehicle Registration / Title
  • OBL / AWB
  • Non-sale Certificate
  • Vehicle Condition Report (at departure) Specific Information
  • Vehicles imported on a temporary importation basis are approximately 6% in tax; all other vehicles are approximately 53.22%.
  • Taxes are based on the CIF value of the shipment.

Pets

Documents Required

  • Veterinarian Health Certificate
  • Rabies Vaccination Certificate

 

Specific Information

  • Rabies vaccination certificate must be issued no less than 3 weeks or no more than 60 days prior to arrival.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Firearms and ammunition (authorization from the territorial administration is required)
  • The following household goods may be imported duty free within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes (200)
    • Cigars (50)
    • Tobacco (50g)
    • Perfume (250ml)
    • Alcohol (only “Fond de Cave”) and less than 30 bottles
    • Wine (1 bottle) and spirits (1 bottle)

Prohibited Items

  • Unlawful drugs
  • Guns, explosives and ammunition
  • Knives and deadly weapons
  • Plants and plant materials
  • Meat and meat byproducts
  • Hazardous materials
  • Counterfeit items (e.g., currency)
  • Pornographic materials

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the designation agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1075.html

http://burkina-usa.org