Country Guide: Burundi
Due to the current coronavirus/COVID-19 situation and restrictions in various countries, the below information may not be accurate. This pandemic is a fluid situation. Check with authorities for local laws and restrictions concerning movements.
Updated: August 18, 2016
Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Letter of employment
- Original packing list
- Original bill of lading (OBL) – no express release accepted / air waybill (AWB)
- Freight invoice or OBL showing freight charges
- Original valued inventory in English or French, dated, and signed by the owner of the goods
- Invoice for electrical items and appliances
- Copy of Burundi visa to benefit from the exemption
- Certificate of free entry from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomats)
Specific Information
- All documents must be provided to the agent prior to the arrival of the shipment to obtain duty-free clearance.
- If the owner of the goods works for an NGO, Embassy, or international organization a “taxe de voirie” is applicable on all diplomatic shipments at 0.85% of the CIF value.
- All used household goods for non-diplomatic shipments are subject to import duties and taxes of approximately 7.5% 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 owner of the goods will only be liable for statistic tax which is 1.5% of the 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.
- A car older than 8 years is not allowed for importation in Burundi.
- If imported, there will be a fine of $1000 to be paid to Customs.
- The duty rates for 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 the 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.
Cultural and Other Information
CIA World Factbook Entry for Burundi
Wikipedia Entry for Burundi
