Importing Personal Effects into Djibouti: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Djibouti Import Guide (PDF)

Household Goods/PE

• Used Personal Effects
• Copy of passport
• Detailed inventory, dated and signed, valued in EUR/USD
• New Personal Effects
• Copy of passport
• Detailed inventory, dated and signed, valued in EUR/USD
• Original invoices less than six months old showing the destination address
• New personal effects form
• Tax-refund request form dated and signed
• Private Individuals
• In addition to the documents requested above, private individuals will have to submit:
• Certificate of change of residence
• Certification concerning prohibited and dangerous objects or items
• Military Personnel
• In addition to the documents requested above, members will be required to submit:
• Transfer letter
• Certification concerning prohibited and dangerous items.
• CTN Form
• Note that CTN form is compulsory for every incoming shipment to Djibouti.
• Any failure for CTN application will result in a customs fine that you will have to pay prior delivery.

• Important: local customs are inspecting imported shipments.
• The inventory must show a destination address.
• For new personal effects, the original invoice cannot be handwritten as it will be rejected by customs.
• Remote-controlled drone:
• Any natural or legal person introducing an aircraft not travelling without a person on board in the national territory must declare at the border to the customs authorities which keep the object until the presentation by the owner of the registration certificate issued by Djibouti National Security.

• Imported goods are liable for taxes and surcharges (23%, calculated on value of goods + 10% VAT). These taxes may apply on new or used goods depending on, among other things, the type of product and if the goods are used in local business. For example, diapers or laundry powder will be taxed.
• Customs officials make the final decision on the application of duties and taxes. This decision will also depend on the client's ability to provide the original purchase invoices. Contact your local agent for more details on this matter.
• Customs do not accept export sales slips, sales receipts, and purchase orders.
• If your move contains both used and new personal effects, submit one inventory for the used items, and one inventory for the new items.

Prohibited items

• Weapons
• Drugs and narcotics
• Harpoons
• Counterfeits
• Drones (excluding appropriate declarations)
• Milk
• Cigarettes
• Ivory
• Ostrich eggs
• Turtle shell
• Coral
• Shells
• Stuffed animals
• Animal skins
• Or any other species taken up by the Washington Convention.

• Airsoft and paintball: these items have recently been considered as dangerous and are now prohibited.
• Household products (washing powder, diapers, soap, etc.) are not considered as used HHGs. Their import can lead to customs hold and extra charges.
• Alcohol import is not prohibited. It is, however, discouraged through prohibitive taxes: 23% customs taxes +175% additional taxes +10% VAT + 1% handicap + 0.2% Africa Union.
• For wine and all other alcohol, you must submit a detailed and separate inventory from personal effects.

Djibouti Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Djibouti Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

Requirements differ by importer category:

• Copy of passport
• Detailed inventory, dated and signed, valued in EUR or USD

• Original invoices less than 6 months old showing the destination address (handwritten invoices are rejected by customs)
• New personal effects form
• Tax-refund request form, dated and signed

• Certificate of change of residence
• Certification concerning prohibited and dangerous objects or items

• Transfer letter
• Certification concerning prohibited and dangerous items

• Passport
• Visa
• Residency permit (if applicable)
• Evidence of yellow fever vaccination
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / sea waybill / air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list
• Letter of transfer / letter of employment
• Letter of change of residence (returning citizens)
• Diplomatic franchise (diplomats)

Specific Information

Customs inspection: Local customs inspect imported shipments. The inventory must show a destination address.

Customs discretion: Customs officials make the final decision on the application of duties and taxes. This decision also depends on the client's ability to provide original purchase invoices.

Invoice requirements: Customs do not accept export sales slips, sales receipts, or purchase orders. Only original invoices are accepted for new items.

Separate inventories for new and used goods: If the move contains both used and new personal effects, submit one inventory for used items and a separate inventory for new items.

Visa note: Visas may be obtained after entering the country, but obtaining one prior to entry is strongly recommended. The time on the Djiboutian visa is the permitted stay duration without a residency permit. Overstaying incurs an exit tax of approximately USD 60.00 (generally added to airline ticket cost). All fees must be paid in cash.

Yellow fever vaccination: Evidence of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry.

Security considerations: Persons traveling to Djibouti are encouraged to research and consider travel warnings regarding safety and security.

Duties & Taxes

Duties and taxes on imported goods: Imported goods are liable for taxes and surcharges of 23% (calculated on the value of goods) plus 10% VAT. These taxes may apply to both new and used goods depending on the type of product and whether the goods are used in local business. For example, household products such as diapers, laundry powder, and soap are not considered used household goods and their import can lead to customs holds and extra charges.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

The prohibited items list includes:

• Weapons and ammunition — strictly prohibited
• Drugs and narcotics — strictly prohibited
• Counterfeits — prohibited
• Drones — prohibited
• Cigarettes within shipments — prohibited (only traveler allowances permitted)
• Airsoft and paintball equipment — recently classified as dangerous; now prohibited
• Pornographic or subversive materials — prohibited
• Ivory — prohibited
• Ostrich eggs — prohibited
• Turtle shell — prohibited
• Coral — prohibited
• Shells — prohibited
• Stuffed animals — prohibited
• Animal skins — prohibited
• Any other species covered by the Washington Convention (CITES) CITES
• Knives and other deadly weapons — prohibited
• Photographic equipment — an older source notes this may lead to confiscation or arrest; confirm current status with destination agent

Per VisaHQ:

• 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 100 cigarillos, or 250g tobacco
• 1 litre of spirits over 22%, or 2 litres of alcoholic beverages up to 22%, or 2 litres of wine
• 50g perfume
• 250ml eau de toilette

Alcohol import is not prohibited but is discouraged through prohibitive taxes: 33%-147% (depending on alcohol strength) plus 10% VAT. For wine and all other alcohol, a detailed and separate inventory from personal effects must be submitted.

• Cigarettes — prohibited within shipments; allowed only within traveler allowances
• Alcohol — not prohibited but subject to prohibitive taxes (33%-147% plus 10% VAT); requires separate detailed inventory
• Household products (washing powder, diapers, soap, etc.) — not considered used household goods; import can lead to customs holds and extra charges
• Medications — for personal use only

Consignment Instructions

Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air/sea shipments.

Customs inspection is standard: All imported shipments are inspected by local customs. Factor in additional time for clearance.

Inventory requirements: Inventories must be detailed, dated, signed, and valued in EUR or USD. The inventory must show a destination address. Separate inventories are required for new vs. used items, and for alcohol vs. personal effects.

Cash payments: All government fees must be paid in cash.

Handwritten invoices rejected: Original invoices for new items cannot be handwritten.

Household products caution: Items like laundry powder, diapers, and soap are not classified as household goods and will attract duties and potential customs holds. Advise customers not to include bulk quantities of consumable household products.

Port of entry: The Port of Djibouti is the country's primary port and one of the busiest in East Africa, serving as a major transit point for landlocked Ethiopia.

Military presence: Djibouti hosts several foreign military bases (U.S., French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian). Military personnel relocations are common and follow specific procedures with transfer letters.