Distributing a product

Market shares

-

Organizations in the retail sector

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation

International economic cooperation

Member of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

Member of Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)

Member of African Union (AU)

Member of East African Community (EAC)

Non tariff barriers

1 kg of tobacco or 1000 cigarettes or 1 litre of alcohol beverages may be imported without any document. A deposit may be required for cameras, mobile computers, recorders, etc. Pets : dogs and cats require veterinary health certificate issued in the country of origin and import permit. On arrival, the veterinary inspection will take place. The health certificate must mention: the country of origin, names and Christian name and address of the owner, species, sex of the animal, that the animal is free from ticks and has not been exposed to contagious diseases. Furthermore (for dogs and cats) the health certificate must state that they have been vaccinated against rabies since more one month but less than 12 months before departure. This certificate must be issued not more than 15 days before departure. Baggage is cleared at the first airport entry in Burundi.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

18.68%

Customs classification

The majority of imports to Burundi require import licenses. These licences are used for payment and statistical control purposes and are automatically granted. Applications for licenses must be submitted to the Central Bank through an authorised bank. Licenses are valid for four months and are assessed an administrative tax of 1% of the FOB value of the goods. Import Duties: Burundi maintains a two-column tariff schedule based on the Customs Co-operation Council Nomenclature ( CCCN ) system of commodity classification. The two customs duties are the revenue duty and the import duty which; they are both applied on an ad valorem basis. The revenue duty averages between 15 and 35% and the import duty ranges from 2% to 5% on selected items. Duties can be as high as 100% for some luxury goods. In addition, the government levies a 4% ad valorem statistical tax on all imports and a transaction tax of 15 percent on all commercial transactions. Burundi is part of the Lome Convention, and, as such, its goods receive preferential entry into the European Community ( EC ). Imports from the EC and the Franc Zone are not generally exempt from import duties. Documentation : Shipments to Burundi require two copies of the commercial invoice and bill of lading. When requested, two copies of the certificate of origin must be presented.

Import procedures

The majority of imports to Burundi require import licenses. These licences are used for payment and statistical control purposes and are automatically granted. Applications for licenses must be submitted to the Central Bank through an authorised bank. Licenses are valid for four months and are assessed an administrative tax of 1% of the FOB value of the goods. Import Duties: Burundi maintains a two-column tariff schedule based on the Customs Co-operation Council Nomenclature ( CCCN ) system of commodity classification. The two customs duties are the revenue duty and the import duty which; they are both applied on an ad valorem basis. The revenue duty averages between 15 and 35% and the import duty ranges from 2% to 5% on selected items. Duties can be as high as 100% for some luxury goods. In addition, the government levies a 4% ad valorem statistical tax on all imports and a transaction tax of 15 percent on all commercial transactions. Burundi is part of the Lome Convention, and, as such, its goods receive preferential entry into the European Community ( EC ). Imports from the EC and the Franc Zone are not generally exempt from import duties. Documentation : Shipments to Burundi require two copies of the commercial invoice and bill of lading. When requested, two copies of the certificate of origin must be presented.

For further information

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Standards

National standards organizations

Integration in the international standards network

Burundi is a part of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. Patents are valid from the date of contract signature and importation patents are valid for up to 20 years. Patents must be worked within 2 years or face revocation. Trademarks : Registration of trademarks is granted for an unlimited duration. The first public user applying receives the trademark rights. In addition, Burundi is signatory to the World Intellectual Property Organisation ( WIPO ) and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.

Classification of standards

Online consultation of standards

Certification organizations

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products.

Intellectual Property

National organizations

Contact the Ministry of Trade and Industry