Free import
• For travelers aged 18 or older: spirits (including liqueurs) or wine up to 1 L, or wine up to 2 L.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, tobacco and snuff up to 250 g in total.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: perfume and toilet water up to 0.5 L in total, of which no more than 0.25 L may be perfume.
• Clothing and personal effects for the traveler's own use. Visitors staying up to 3 months may bring in non-consumable items for use during the visit that they will take with them when they leave.
• These allowances apply only to goods carried in accompanied baggage and not intended for sale.
Currency
• Cash in foreign currency worth more than USD 10,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) must be declared to customs at the border post on arrival, on the official form.
• Burundian franc (BIF) banknotes above BIF 200,000 and coins above BIF 1,000 must also be declared.
• Undeclared amounts above these limits are seized and deposited with the central bank (BRB). If the funds are proven to be legitimate, they are returned less a 25% deduction.
• Burundi is largely a cash-based economy. Bring US dollar notes printed after 2006 and in good condition: older or torn notes are often refused.
Prohibited
• Narcotic drugs
• Counterfeit money and counterfeit goods of all kinds
• Pornographic and obscene material in any media
• Soaps and cosmetics containing mercury
• Plastic bags and packaging thinner than 30 microns
• Worn underwear
• Hazardous waste
Restricted
• Firearms and ammunition need an import authorization from the Minister of Public Security. Civilians may hold only hunting rifles and repeating rifles, with a permit.
• Endangered species of plants and animals and products made from them (CITES), including ivory, rhino horn and tortoise shell, need permits.
• Psychotropic medicines under international control, unwrought precious metals and precious stones, genetically modified products and historical artefacts are restricted.
• Pets and other live animals: check the current veterinary entry requirements with the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock before you travel.
• Declare all goods above the duty-free allowances and anything that may be prohibited or restricted.