Customs
Africa
Guinea Bissau Customs Regulations
Import & export rules, duty-free allowances, prohibited items, and traveler health advisory
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Import Regulations
- Reasonable quantity of tobacco
- 2.5 litres of alcoholic beverages – applicable for non Muslims only
- Reasonable number of already opened bottles of perfume
- Local currency up to XOF 2,000,000 or the equal in foreign currency can be imported and • exported out of the country. All foreign currency must be declared upon arrival and sums greater than 2,000,000 will require a bank transfer.
- Illegal drugs
- Guns, explosives and ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Pets and other animals – unless required to do so
- Live flora and flora
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- A veterinarian health certificate will be required in order to import any dogs, cats or other animals into the country. All pets should receive a rabies vaccination prior to beginning their journey.
Export Regulations
- No information available
- Illegal drugs
- Guns, explosives and ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Pets and other animals – unless required to do so
- Live flora and flora
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- No information available
Health & Security
Basic health information for travelers to Guinea Bissau
Travellers visiting the country should be wary of any wild animals whose bites may contain Rabies. If bitten, travellers should immediately clean the wound and seek medical aid to check for any potential signs of infection.
Basic security information for travelers to Guinea Bissau
Illegal drug related crimes are treated harshly by the police forces and local prisons may be extremely unpleasant and harsh.
🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Guinea Bissau
- A yellow fever vaccination is required by all travellers over a year old travelling from or through an infected zone. Travellers visiting the country from non endemic areas are still advised to obtain vaccination for protection prior to starting their journey.
- All tap and other native water sources should be considered highly infectious and avoided where possible. Travellers should stick to bottled water where possible and make sure that all local water is thoroughly boiled before being drunk. Outbreaks of Cholera have been reported throughout the country with hundreds dying of the disease in 2008. Cases of Diphtheria spread by contaminated Milk have been reported inside the country. Any milk based products should be checked to make sure that they have been pasteurized first before being consumed.
- Meat, fish and vegetables should be well cooked and served hot to avoid any chance of contamination. Fruit should be peeled and all pork products best avoided.
- Water based diseases including Bilharzia (schistomiasis), TB, Typhoid and Hepatitis A and C are all present in the country and all travellers to the area should obtain comprehensive protection against all of these diseases before beginning their journey.
- Various insect based diseases including Onchocerciasis (river blindness), Dengue Fever and Malaria are all present in this country. Malaria is a year round disease, cases of which often increase during the countries rainy season between July and October. Travellers are strongly advised to obtain insect repellent and close clothing that exposes little skin for protection and to seek out immediate medical assistance if symptoms develop.
- Hepatitis B and HIV are both endemic in the country are travellers should take all necessary precautions when dealing with bloody needles or when engaging in sexual activity.
- Travellers visiting the country should be wary of any wild animals whose bites may contain Rabies. If bitten, travellers should immediately clean the wound and seek medical aid to check for any potential signs of infection.
- Swimming in pools, lakes or other natural water sources is not advised owing to the higher than average danger of infection. Visitors to the country should stick to chlorinated swimming pools and take great care with any untreated or underprepared food or drink.
- Food and drink served from street vendors should be avoided for safety reasons.
- All travellers visiting the country should buy appropriate levels of bottled water and sunscreen for protection against the often intense heat.
- Medical facilities are extremely limited throughout the whole country and shortages of important medicines and not uncommon. Doctors in the country will often request payment before rendering any assistance and evacuation to another country may be required in the event of serious injury or illness. Full travel and health insurance should be obtained before arranging any visit to this country and an extra medical kit containing emergency supplies is recommended.
🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Guinea Bissau
- Incidents of petty crime including pick pocketing and assault are reported to be on the rise and all travellers should take care to keep their passport and other valuables in a safe location at all times throughout their visit. Travellers are advised to avoid any obvious displays of wealth which could attract unwanted attention and to keep off the streets after dark if visiting alone. All travellers should also keep a minimum two copies of their passport with them at all times in the event of an emergency.
- There is a general danger of random terrorist attacks of foreign visitors to the country. All travellers should take care when in public places or travelling to more remote sections of the country.
- Guinea – Bissau is a country with a recent history of violence and many mines and other lethal ordinance are still present in many sections of the country. Travellers are strongly advised to stick to major roads or areas that have already been cleared of mines and other deadly weapons and to exercise great caution if visiting more remote parts of the country.
- Any travel to the North Western sections of the country is not currently advised owing to the high degree of current military tension in the area. Areas that should especially be avoided include the Casamance region and the border with Senegal which have seen numerous incidents of continued violence between the authorities and local rebel forces and the situation currently remains dangerous. All travellers are strongly advised to avoid this section of the country if possible and to exercise great caution if required to do so.
- The country has a history of violent political instability with two coups and several assassinations of armed forces chiefs. All travellers to the country should avoid any large crowds or demonstrations which could quickly turn violent and dangerous. Travellers are also strongly urged to monitor local news channels for any signs of conflict both whilst inside the country and prior to beginning their visit and to plan their actions accordingly.
- Road conditions are considered very poor throughout the whole country and drivers should avoid driving down potentially dangerous or poorly lit roads at night. Drivers should also keep a copy of their passport with them for identification purposes although money and other valuable items which could make the car a tempting target should be kept out of sight.
- Drivers visiting the country during the rainy season should be wary of the rainy season which runs from June to October and can cause flooding and mudslides which can obstruct the roads and make passage either impossible or dangerous. Travellers driving through the country are advised to stay updated regarding the countries predicted weather conditions and avoid any unnecessary journeys which could result in loss of life or property.
- Photos or recordings taken of important government or military installations is illegal and could lead to an arrest by the security services. Travellers should ask direct permission before taking any photos of native men or women which could potentially cause great offence.
- Illegal drug related crimes are treated harshly by the police forces and local prisons may be extremely unpleasant and harsh.
- Homosexuality is not widely accepted or tolerated throughout the country and any same sex couples are advised to avoid any open displays of affection which could lead to being detained or imprisoned by the countries police services.
Contact Information
For additional information about travel restrictions, security warnings, political updates, and basic travel guidelines, please contact the nearest Guinea Bissau Embassy.