Import regulations by Benin customs

Imports:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco;
one bottle of wine and one bottle of spirits;
500ml of eau de toilette and 250ml of perfume.

Export regulations by Benin customs

Currency
CFA (Communaut Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2000 and 1000. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Benin is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l?Afrique de l?Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l?Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Currency exchange
Currency can be exchanged at banks and in major hotels.

Credit debit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted on a limited basis. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Some banks may advance cash or visa cards.

Traveller's cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions
The import of local currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of local currency is unlimited for EU residents; other nationalities must declare currency that is to be exported (proof of origin might be demanded). The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of CFAfr100,000.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the CFA Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:
Date Aug '04 Nov '04 Feb '05 May '05
1.00= 978.35 936.79 944.60 972.70
$1.00= 531.03 494.69 504.10 520.06

Other Benin customs information

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all travellers over one year of age. Risk occurs in all rural areas, but especially in Atakora and Borgou.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Benin. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Malaria is a risk all year throughout the country. It occurs predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. Resistance to chloroquine is common and resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported. A weekly dose of 250mg of mefloquine is recommended.

Food drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid all dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Hepatitis A and E are widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Hepatitis C occurs. Meningococcal meningitis is a risk, depending on the area and the time of year. Immunisation against hepatitis B, diphtheria and meningococcal A and C is sometimes recommended. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchoceriasis (river blindness) exists and precautions are recommended. TB occurs. Haemorrhagic fevers can be a risk in rural areas; rat-contaminated food should be avoided. The hot, dusty, windy environmental conditions in November and December may exacerbate respiratory problems. HIV/AIDS is prevalent
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical facilities are limited, especially outside the major towns, and not all medicines are available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medical insurance is strongly recommended.

http://www.finance.gov.bw/customs/webpages/iophe/accomp.htm