Customs
Americas
Guyana Customs Regulations
Import & export rules, duty-free allowances, prohibited items, and traveler health advisory
200 cigs
Tobacco allowance
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Import Regulations
Other items requiring an import licence to enter the country include the following.
- 200 cigarettes or
- 50 cigars or
- 225 grams of tobacco
- 750 ml of wine
- 750 ml of spirits
- Reasonable quantity of perfume suitable for private use
- Illegal drugs
- Weapon, Explosives and Ammunition – Unless permission has been obtained
- Knives and dangerous weapons
- Pets and animals – unless permission has been obtained
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- There is a GYD 4000 (Guyana dollar) Embarkation tax for any passenger flying out to any foreign destination.
- All cats and dogs being imported into the country will require an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture proving that the animals have been vaccinated against Rabies and are in general good health.
- Other livestock and plant materials being imported into Guyana will also require an import permit from Plant Quarantine Section (plant materials) of the Ministry of Agriculture. Animals imported from a country infected by Rabies will face a 90 day quarantine before being allowed entry into the country.
- Fresh and raw meat will require an import permit and will face an inspection “by qualified veterinary doctors from both the Ministry of Agriculture and the veterinary Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health” upon entry.
- Other items requiring an import licence to enter the country include the following.
- Fresh fruit
- Organic and inorganic fertilizers
- Beauty and makeup preparations
- Weapons and ammunition
Export Regulations
The following items will require an export licence in order to legally exit the country.
- No information available
- Illegal drugs
- Weapon, Explosives and Ammunition – Unless permission has been obtained
- Knives and dangerous weapons
- Pets and animals – unless permission has been obtained
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- The following items will require an export licence in order to legally exit the country.
- Endangered birds – Will need to have been a legal resident of Guyana for more than a year and will require a permit from the Guyanese Ministry of Agriculture
- Poultry feed
- Wheat flour
- Beet sugar and cane sugar in solid form
- Fertilizers
- Hides and skins
- Gold
- Jewellery of precious metal or rolled precious metal
- Weapons and ammunition
Health & Security
Basic health information for travelers to Guyana
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 Guyana
🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Guyana
- 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.
- Water in the main cities is normally chlorinated and relatively safe to drink but could cause minor stomach problems. Travellers visiting the country are advised to initially stick to bottled water and to thoroughly boil water in more isolated sections of the country which could contain disease. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled before drunk and all other dairy products avoided.
- Meat, poultry, fish, fruit and vegetables are considered safe but meat and fish should still be well cooked and served hot for safety reasons.
- Food and drink served by vendors should be treated with considerable caution.
- Various water based diseases are present throughout the country including Hepatitis A and Typhoid and travellers should take care if swimming in any local pools, lakes or other natural water sources.
- Malaria and Dengue Fever are both endemic to the region and occur throughout the year. Dengue Fever in particular is prevalent in the region and travellers should obtain plenty of insect repellent and close clothing for protection against the mosquitoes whose bites contain the disease. If bitten, travellers should immediately seek out medical assistance before symptoms develop. Malaria is currently not believed to be present in Georgetown but may still pose a threat if visiting other sections of the country closer to the Pomeroon River and travellers should exercise all necessary precautions to prevent any chance of infection.
- 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.
- Medical facilities are extremely poor in the main cities and practically nonexistent in remoter sections of the country. Although medical aid is available in Georgetown, the standard of medical care and sanitation is likely to be poor and doctors will demand immediate payment for any services required. Prescription drugs are likely to be hard or expensive to obtain and all travellers should bring any required medicine with them.
- Owing to the countries current condition, all travellers are strongly advised to obtain medical and travel insurance prior to beginning their journey. An emergency evacuation to a neighbouring country may be required in the event of serious illness or accident.
🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Guyana
- Acts of theft and violent crime are a serious danger to any travellers visiting the country and various precautions should be taken. All visitors are strongly advised to keep their passport and other valuables in a safe location at all times throughout their visit and to avoid obvious displays of wealth in public which could attract unwanted attention. Visitors to Georgetown are urged to avoid travelling alone throughout the city after dark and to take extra care of their possessions when in public locations. Many of the violent incidents throughout the country often involve guns and knives and travellers should take great care to avoid getting involved in any dangerous situations. Travellers should also keep a copy of their passport with them for identification by the countries authorities or in the case of an emergency.
- Travel to the interior of the country is not advised owing to the high levels of violent crime reported in the region. Visitors travelling to or through these sections of the country should avoid travelling alone and take care to avoid attracted undue attention. Travellers close to the country’s borders with Venezuela and Suriname should be wary of existing tensions regarding past and present border disputes that could potentially turn violent.
- Travellers navigating the waters in Guyana should be wary of incidents of piracy and violent theft throughout the country and plan their actions accordingly.
- Government elections have previously led to incidents of civil disturbances and violence throughout the county. All travellers to Guyana are advised to closely examine the countries current social and political climate prior to beginning their journey and to avoid any large protests or gatherings which could lead to harm.
- An international driving permit or a one month local driving permit from the Licence and Revenue Office in Georgetown will be required if planning to drive through the country.UK travellers planning to obtain a local permit will need to produce a valid British driving licence and should keep copies of their passport with them at all times. The roads are poorly lit and maintained throughout the country and may be subject to obstructions and flooding. All foreign drivers should avoid driving late at night when the chance of an accident may increase and to check their route for difficulties before beginning their journey.
- The two rainy seasons in Guyana fall between December and January and from May to July. Flash flooding is a serious possibility if visiting the country during these periods and all travellers should stay updated to local weather forecasts both prior to and throughout their visit and take all necessary precautions required to prevent any chance of coming to harm.
- Drug trafficking is a serious problem for Guyana’s authorities and will lead to tough sentences for any travellers caught dealing in or transporting illegal substances. Local prison conditions are very likely to be basic and unhygienic and all travellers should take great care to avoid participation in any illegal activity which could bring them into conflict with the countries police force.
- Travellers taking photos of local scenery and people are advised to ask permission of all locals before taking pictures of them.
- Homosexuality is not illegal in the country but all couples visiting the country are advised to limit any open displays of affection which could attract unwanted attention.
Contact Information
For further assistance please contact the Guyanese Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.
Telephone
+5922276060 / +5922278814
Official Website
Secretariat
357 Lamaha and East Streets