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 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 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 purchaseinvoice
• 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 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):

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/burundi.html

https://www.usembassy.gov/burundi/