Customs
Africa
Ivory Coast Customs Regulations
Import & export rules, duty-free allowances, prohibited items, and traveler health advisory
200 cigs
Tobacco allowance
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Import Regulations
- 200 cigarettes or
- 25 cigars or
- 100 cigarillos
- 250 grammes of tobacco
- 1 bottle of wine and 1 bottle of spirits
- 250ml of perfume
- 500ml of toilet water
- Reasonable amount of non- prohibited goods
- An unlimited amount of local currency can be imported into the country by locals and visitors alike. Other currencies likewise have an unlimited amount but will need to be declared when entering or leaving the country. Locals will be required to change all foreign currency into local money within eight days of entry.
- Locals leaving the country for another within the French Monetary Zone can export an unlimited amount of local currency but must declare up to XOF 150,000 or the equivalent in other currency if travelling outside this area. Foreign travellers can export up to XOF 10,000 or the equivalent in Euros. Amounts equal to XOF 25,000 in foreign currency can also are exported out of the country.
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Plants and plant materials
- Soil
- Fertilizers
- Food and food products
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- No information availableCats, dogs being imported into the country will require a rabies inoculation certificate and good health certificate from the country of origin before being granted entry. An import licence will be required if importing other pets into the country.
- Video cameras and cassettes can only be imported for personal use and must be declared at the customs department upon entry into the country. A deposit for any video related goods will also have to be paid but can be returned to the traveller upon departure.
- Any books, film or other material contrary to local traditions or religious beliefs may be restricted or even prohibited from entering the country.
Export Regulations
- No information available
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Plants and plant materials
- Soil
- Fertilizers
- Food and food products
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- All travellers leaving the country for a destination outside of Africa will be required to pay an additional XOF 5,000 Embarkation Tax at the airports point of departure.
Health & Security
Basic health information for travelers to Ivory Coast
Basic security information for travelers to Ivory Coast
🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Ivory Coast
- A yellow fever vaccination is required for all travellers planning on visiting this country
- Local water sources are considered unsafe and should be avoided where possible. Upon entering the country, all travellers are strongly advised to stick to bottled water and to only drink tap and other native water after thoroughly boiling it first. Milk which is unpasteurized is unsafe and all milk and dairy products should be avoided. Meat, fish and vegetables should also be well cooked and served boiling hot before being considered safe to consume and fruit should always be peeled first for protection.
- Water based diseases present in the country include Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Cholera in more rural areas. Visitors are urged to avoid swimming in any natural pools, lakes or other natural water sources which have not been chlorinated and should avoid any food or drink served from vendors for safety reasons.
- Malaria is common to the Ivory Coast region and cases of Dengue Fever have also been reported. Travellers to the area are strongly advised to obtain large sums of insect repellent and close fitting clothing for protection and to immediately seek out medical assistance if serious symptoms develop.
- Various bloods related diseases including AIDS and Hepatitis B are also present in the Ivory Coast and travellers should take great care when dealing with bloody needles or if engaging in sexual activity throughout your visit.
- Additional vaccinations against Tetanus and Polio are recommended before entering the country whilst visitors should avoid any wild dogs or bats whose bites might contain Rabies. If bitten, travellers should immediately clean the wound and proceed to seek out the closest medical assistance to check for signs of infection.
- A reasonable level of healthcare is available in Abidjan but the overall level of medical assistance is greatly limited throughout the rest of the country. All foreign travellers to the country are advised to take a health kit with them in the event of an emergency and certain medicines may prove hard or expensive to obtain and doctors will likely demand instant payment for services rendered. Travellers should also obtain complete health and travel insurance prior to beginning their journey and an emergency airlift to a nearby country may be required in the event of serious accident or illness.
🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Ivory Coast
- Owing to the current political situation, all bar non essential travel to this country is not advised. Any foreign visitor to the region should take maximum care at all times and obtain up to date information regarding the countries military and political situation prior to beginning their journey.
- The state of conflict between forces loyal to rival presidential candidates President Gbagbo and President Quattara for control of the country has not yet fully abated and armed engagements between the two forces remain a reality. Latest estimates put the total number of civilians displaced by the fighting at well over one million with several hundred combatants on both sides killed during the fighting. Any foreign visitor to the country should take great care to avoid getting caught up in any fresh engagements between the two factions which could likely end in bloodshed.
- Visitors to the country should avoid travelling to the districts of Treichville, Adjame, Abobo and Yopougon and the countries border with Liberia, all of which remain sites of extreme violence and instability.
- Acts of theft and violent assaults against foreigners is a serious danger in this country and all travellers to the Ivory Coast should keep their passport and other valuables in a safe and secure location at all times throughout their visit and avoid any obvious displays of affluence which could serve to attract unwanted attention. Cases of rape and sexual assaults against women have also been reported to be on the rise throughout the country and female travellers in particular should avoid trying to navigate any of the countries roads alone after dark. Assaults have occurred in broad daylight in many parts of the country and travellers should keep a copy of their passport with them at all times in the event of a serious accident of assault.
- Kidnappings and internet fraud are both common and often involve attempting to fool people from western countries into sending large sums of money over the internet or begging someone to visit the country and provide assistance to a trapped friend/family member. Scams like these can lead to kidnappings, theft and even murder and all travellers to this country should check carefully before beginning their journey.
- Because of the constantly changing security situation inside the country, any demonstrations or rallies could very quickly turn violent. All visitors to the region are strongly advised against participating in any large gatherings which could turn unpredictable in an instant and should check the countries current political and social situation both during and prior to entering the country.
- Travellers planning on driving throughout the country should exercise considerable caution at all times owing to the continual fighting throughout the region. The road conditions are likely to have deteriorated considerably since the fighting began and road barricades can spring up suddenly without warning. Any foreign drivers inside the country should check to make sure that the journey is safe and reliable before beginning their journey. Roads throughout the country will also likely prove to be poorly lit and travel late at night is not advised owing to the greater than average risk of serious accident or illness.
- The countries rainy season, which usually runs from May to August and October to November, often results in landslides and local roads to become flooded and impassable. Travellers driving through the country are urged to avoid any risky journeys throughout this period and to keep a close eye on the predicted weather forecasts throughout the country and to plan their visit accordingly.
- Travellers to the Ivory Coast are strongly advised against any stating of strongly held political views which could serve cause problems and should behaviour in a respectful manner at all times during their visit. Loose, informal clothing should be kept to a minimum and punishments for any drug related offences are likely to be serious.
- Photos taken of important government, military and religious sites are currently prohibited and may be removed and destroyed by the security services. Local prison conditions may be more brutal than most foreign visitors are used to and travellers should avoid any activities which could bring them to the attention of the police or other government forces. Travellers should always remember to ask permission before taking photos of local inhabitants in order to prevent any possible confusion.
- Whilst not strictly illegal, Homosexuality is very much frowned upon in this country. All same sex couples should exercise caution and avoid any obvious displays of affection which could serve to draw unwanted attention.
Contact Information
For further assistance please contact the Ivoirian Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.
Telephone
+22520251500 / +22520251526
Official Website