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