Country Guide: Burundi

Updated: November 18, 2015

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of Passport
  • Letter of Employment
  • Packing list
  • Original Bill of Lading (OBL) – no Express Release accepted / Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Freight Invoice or OBL showing freight charges
  • Original inventory in English or French, dated, valued and signed by the shipper
  • Invoice for electrical items and appliances
  • Copy of Burundi Visa to benefit from exemption
  • Certificate of Free Entry from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomats)

 

Specific Information

  • All documents must be provided to agent prior to the arrival of the shipment to obtain dutyfree clearance.
  • All used household goods for non-diplomatic shipments are subject to import duties and taxes of approximately 7% of the CIF value.
  • All new household goods for non-diplomatic shipments will be charged duty and taxes as any commercial goods. Average duties are approximately 40% of the CIF value.
    • Handling 4% CIF Value
    • Transactional tax 17% of (CIF + duties + handling)
    • Clothes 40% CIF
    • Food 40% CIF
    • Furniture 40% CIF
    • Personal effects 25% CIF
  • Diplomats must obtain a Certificate of Free Entry from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If granted, the shipper will only be liable for 1% handling charges based on cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Original Registration Card
  • Copy of Passport
  • Original Purchase Invoice
  • OBL

 

Specific Information

  • The OBL must show chassis number, engine number, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, brand and model
  • The duty rates on cars are as follows:
    • Diplomat 1% handling charge
    • Vehicle more than 10 passengers 15% CIF
    • Tourism vehicle Between 40% and 100% CIF
    • Handling 4% CIF value
    • Transactional tax 17% of (CIF + duties + handling)

Pets

Documents Required

  • Veterinary Health Certificate
  • Rabies Vaccination Certificate

 

Specific Information

  • Veterinary Health Certificate and Rabies Vaccination Certificate are required from the country of origin.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Alcohol (only “Fond de Cave”) is acceptable and is duty free (max 20 bottles). If value is more than 500 USD, a pre-shipment inspection will be requested as well as an import license.

Prohibited Items

  • Firearms and ammunitions (authorization from the territorial administration is required)
  • Transmission equipment
  • Illegal drugs
  • Weapons, explosives and ammunition
  • Knives and deadly weapons
  • Plant and plant products
  • Meat and meat products
  • Hazardous materials
  • Counterfeit money and goods
  • Pornographic materials

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination 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_1078.html http://www.burundiembassy-usa.org