About Us Publications Country-specific requirements – B

Country-specific requirements – B

Countries starting with B

BAHAMAS (Commonwealth of)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 - CN 22; Value over $700 - Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Address	There is now a new four-digit postcode for addresses in Bahamas, preceded by the country code “BS”. The new postcodes will range from 1000 to 9999. Customers are requested to incorporate the appropriate postcode in the last line of the address, to the right of the name of the locality and above the country name.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcels or persons residing with them.
Invoices	All commercial parcels should be accompanied by a copy of the invoice securely attached to the outside of the parcel. Where the consignment for the same addressee consists of several parcels, the invoice should be securely attached to the final parcel.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BAHRAIN (State of)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 - CN 22; Value over $700 - Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Prohibitions¹	Cultured, imitation, artificial and bleached pearl; charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted).
Restrictions¹	A licence or certificate for the importation of alcoholic and intoxicating liquors, including methylated spirits must be obtained by the addressee.
Address	The correct postal address is BAHRAIN. No other geographical description should be added.
PARCEL POST (Air Parcel Only)
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcels or persons residing with them. For other prohibitions see Prohibitions under LETTER POST.
Restrictions¹	Same as for LETTER POST.
Address	See under LETTER POST.
¹Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BALEARIC ISLANDS

LETTER POST (Same as SPAIN)
PARCEL POST (Air Parcel Only)
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Parcel Despatch Note. Spanish or French as well as English. Customs declarations must bear the post office serial number of the parcel.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcels or persons residing with them; playing cards; potatoes; rosaries, relics and similar articles; Spanish bank-notes; tobacco. Charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted).
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of jewels, precious metals and precious stones; pharmaceutical preparations; plants and parts of plants.
Address	The address on the parcel and despatch note must include the name of one of the following places:- Alaro, Alayor, Alcudia, Andraitx, Arta, Binisalem, Bunola, Cala Mayor, Clavia, Campanet, Campos del-Puerto, Capdepera, Cartuja de Valldemosa, Ciudadela, Felanitx Paquera, Ferrerias, Ibiza, Inca, La Puebla, Lloseta, Lluchmayor, Mahon, Manacor, Mercadal, Montuiri, Muro, Palma de-Mallorca, Petra, Pollensa, Porreras, Puerto Andraitx, Puerto de-Pollensa, San Antonio Abad, San Francisco-Javier, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Eulalia del Rio, Santa Margarita, Santa Maria, Santany, Sineu, Soller, Son Servera Villacarlos, Valldemosa
¹Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BANGLADESH (People’s Republic of)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Value up to $700 - CN 22; Value over $700 - Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22. French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Celluloid and articles wholly or partly made of celluloid such as photograph films. Non-inflammable cinematograph films are, however, admitted by letter post provided that the packets bear a label clearly marked in red characters. “This contains non-inflammable films only”. Charged butane gas lighters and refills. Packets of picture postcards are prohibited from importation by printed papers post. Account and manuscript books, advertising matter (with the exception of trade catalogues and circulars), almanacs, cards in general, labels, photographs, picture books, printed forms and works of art are prohibited from importation by printed papers post when sent as merchandise. Bank drafts, banknotes, all coins and currency notes (including foreign), securities of any kind payable to bearer, traveller’s cheques, bearer cheques, credit cards, passports, NOCs, platinum, gold or silver, whether manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of plants and parts of plants.
Address	Registered packets addressed to post-box numbers only, that is, without the actual addresses of the addressees, are inadmissible.
Customs Duty	See under PARCEL POST.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	Insurance, surface only, limit $620.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note. Customs declaration should show clearly the material of which goods are made, for example, silk stockings, cotton material, silver-plated cutlery. If books and photographs are enclosed in a parcel with other articles their value should be shown separately. The net weight of the contents of parcels of tobacco, cigars and cigarettes, and in the case of cigars and cigarettes, particulars of the brands and the number and net weight of the cigars or cigarettes of each brand, should be clearly stated.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; cotton and woollen piece-goods (not made up into garments), such as are ordinarily sold by length or by the piece, imported for trade purposes and not stamped to indicate the length in yards or fractions thereof; military material and appliances for discharging gas, unless imported by or on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh, bronze or copper coins not of the Royal Mint or of a Bangladesh State; bulbs and plants, unless accompanied by a certificate in the form prescribed by the Bangladesh authorities; labels or woven goods bearing designs in imitation of paper money; quinine coloured pink; sulphur; bank drafts, banknotes, all coins and currency notes (including foreign), securities of any kind payable to bearer, traveller's cheques, bearer cheques, credit cards, passports, NOCs, platinum, gold or silver, whether manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of plants and parts of plants.
Licence	A licence, to be obtained by the addressee in advance, is required for importation into Bangladesh by post from this country of almost all goods.
Address	The name of the province in which the place of address is situated should, as far as possible, be included in the address. Parcels addressed to post-box numbers only, that is, without the actual address of the addressee, are inadmissible.
Customs Duty	Customs duty and a sale tax on the duty paid value is levied on all imports into Bangladesh but the duty is not collected on postal items upon which the amount payable would not exceed 2.50 Taka.
Duplicate Documents	Senders of commercial parcels should, in their own interests, forward by airmail, directly to the addressees in Bangladesh, duplicates of all necessary documents, for example, (1) clear customs declaration, (2) certificate of origin and (3) invoice showing, separately, the value of each item enclosed in the parcel. The receipt of these duplicate documents in Bangladesh prior to the arrival of the parcels will enable the addressees to facilitate customs clearance.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BARBADOS

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Value up to $700 - CN 22; Value over $700 - Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22. Portuguese or French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Butane gas lighters and refills.
Address	See under PARCEL POST.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; butane gas lighters and refills; celluloid; and plants and seeds.
Address	All postal items must bear addressee's full name and complete address, including postcode. To facilitate delivery, it is also desirable to include the addressee's fixed and mobile telephone number and e-mail address, if available, on the postal items.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BASUTOLAND - See LESOTHO

BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE - See BOTSWANA

BELARUS (Republic of)
(formerly a state of the Russian Federation)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Printed papers. (2) Small packets. (3) Registration. (4) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 - CN 22; Value over $700 - Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Prohibitions¹	See under PARCEL POST.
Restrictions¹	See under PARCEL POST.
Customs Duty and Taxes	See under PARCEL POST.
Address	All postal items must bear complete addresses and correct postcodes to facilitate delivery. The address format is as shown in the example below: Loutsévitch Ivan Fedorovitch Rue Pobédy 12, bat. 1, app. 10 225860 KOBRIN Province of Brest REPUBLIC OF BELARUS To facilitate clearance, it is desirable to include the addressee’s telephone number on parcels and EMS items.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note.
Prohibitions¹	Alcohol, ethyl alcohol (Alcoholic liquids, including beer, wines and spirits). Any chronometer with a case and wristband of precious metal. Articles of cultural value. Articles of which the importation and circulation are prohibited in the country of destination. Articles which, by their nature or their packing, may expose officials to danger, or soil or damage other parcels or postal equipment. Belarus rubles and instruments in Belarus rubles. Coins, bank notes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer, cheques, including travellers' cheques. Cultural artefacts (addressed to, and intended for the personal use of, private individuals) Fresh or frozen, dried or smoked meat and edible offals of bovines, mammals, poultry, birds, sheep, pigs and other animals. Fresh, frozen, salted or smoked mollusks, fish and crustaceans. Hazardous waste. Knives Letters/parcels may not contain documents having the character of current and personal correspondence exchanged between persons other than the sender and the addressee or persons living with them. Metalized yarn made with or made of gold thread; ornamental trimming or woven fabric made with or made of gold thread. Narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as plants and mushrooms containing narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors, of any kind and in any form, including their fruits, seeds and spores. Medicaments and vitamin preparations containing these substances. Obscene or immoral articles. Old coins made of precious metals sent by private individuals. Pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms. Perishable food products. Photographic and cinematographic films, undeveloped photographic plates, photographic paper. Plants, in any form and condition, and plant seeds. Platinum, gold or silver, whether manufactured or not, gold bullion, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles. Precious metals and their compounds. Products of the printing and related industries containing information that may be harmful to the political and economic interests of Belarus, to state security and to the health and morality of its citizens. Radioactive materials. Silkworm cocoons. Soils and stones. Substances harmful to the ozone layer. The Belarus authorities have instituted a ban on the following articles for the prevention of the importation of the agents of Newcastle disease and African fever: Produced in Switzerland: hatchable eggs, down and feathers, poultry meat and products thereof, all kinds of poultry products; fodder and animal feed additives, including those made from poultry and fish. Produced in the Russian Federation: sperm of boar, swine meat and products thereof, hides and intestinal stock, hunters' trophies, fodder and animal and vegetable feed additives for animals, including those made from fish and poultry, and equipment used for keeping, transporting, slaughtering and dressing swine. Tobacco and tobacco products, including products containing tobacco or nicotine, and those intended for inhalation by heating or other methods (without burning). Smoking mixtures of all kinds. Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones, copters), except aircraft used for entertainment without any recording equipment (including photo and video). Permitted aircraft must have no automatic flight capability, but must be controlled remotely by the operator and monitored by visual observation. Vegetable alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts and simple or complex ethers.
Restrictions¹	Senders to determine conditions of import from the country's authorities before posting: Animal products. Bees, leeches, silkworms, parasites and destroyers of noxious insects intended for research and exchange between officially recognized institutions. Fish and other aquatic animal products. Fodder and fodder supplements. Honey and other apicultural products. Military uniforms, equipment and paraphernalia. Milk and dairy products. Plant and vegetable products, including cereals, fruits and hazelnuts. Raw eggs. Raw materials of animal origin. Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques, stamps.
Special Documentation	All animal products sent through the post must be accompanied by a certificate issued by the veterinary inspection authority of the country of origin. This certificate must satisfy the requirements of the veterinary service of Belarus. An invoice is required for commercial goods.
Customs Duty and Taxes	Goods may be imported duty-free if the total value of goods sent within a calendar month in postal items to the address of one recipient does not exceed an amount equivalent to 200 EUR and if the total weight does not exceed 31 kg. In addition, the value of goods sent in one postal item may not exceed an amount equivalent to 22 EUR and the weight may not exceed 10 kg. For international postal items addressed to individuals, if the value of the goods contained in a single postal item exceeds 22 EUR, or the weight of the postal item is more than 10 kg, customs duties will be charged to the recipient at the time of delivery. Customs duties and taxes will be levied at the rate of 15% of the value of the goods, but not less than 2 EUR per 1 kg of weight.
Address	See under LETTER POST.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BELGIUM

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Insured packages, air only, limit $3,800. (3) Printed papers. (4) Small packets. (5) Registration. (6) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Value up to $700 - CN 22; Value over $700 - Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22. Flemish or French as well as English.
Customs Duty	Printed matter and books are in general liable to customs duty and a Green Customs Label must be attached to such packets. Exceptionally, prospectuses, catalogues, price lists and advertisements, if sent singly or in small quantities, and single books, if sent as samples clearly marked “Service de Oresse”’ do not require a Green Customs Label.
Prohibitions¹	See under PARCEL POST.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	Insurance, air, limit $3,800 and surface, limit $760.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Parcel Despatch Note. Declarations should be prepared in Flemish or French as well as in English.
Prohibitions¹	Letters in parcels, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcels or persons residing with them. Absinthe. Bearer bonds, bank notes. Butane gas lighters and refills. Chain letters. Coins of bronze, copper or nickel not legal tender in Belgium, except obsolete coins for collections. Colouring matter. Contraceptives. Lottery tickets and advertising. Newspapers and publications contrary to Belgian principles. Photographs and films, indecent. Publications, indecent. Tobacco, of any form (e.g. cigars, cigarettes, rolling tobacco, etc.), tobacco alternatives, such as electronic and vapour cigarettes that contain nicotine, by commercial shipments (B2C). However, electronic and vapour cigarettes containing NO NICOTINE may be imported.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of foodstuffs and fresh fruit; plants. The importation of many articles is also subject to the production of a permit which must be obtained by the addressee in advance.
Delivery	All parcels to Belgium must bear the name and full street address of the addressee and the sender. Parcels are delivered in most areas and a delivery fee is charged. Where they are not delivered an advice of arrival is sent to the addressee. If it is intended that a parcel is to be called for it should be addressed “En Gare” and not “Poste Restante”.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BELIZE
(formerly British Honduras)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 - CN 22; Value over $700 - Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Prohibitions¹	Coin, gold, jewellery, platinum, precious stones, and silver. Packets of pictorial postcards by printed papers post.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; coin or bullion unless for purposes of ornament; saccharin and similar substances; tobacco packed with other goods or sweetened with leaves of other plants.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BENIN (Republic of)
(formerly Dahomey)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Printed papers. (2) Small packets. (3) Registration. (4) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22. French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted). Ordinary letters containing articles subject to customs duty.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Parcel Despatch Note. French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; counters resembling coin; spirits; weights and measures not of the decimal system; and in addition all goods bearing indications which suggest they are of French origin or manufacture when they are not. Charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted).
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of books and printed matter in Arabic; mineral waters; preserved plums, sardines and vegetables; saccharin and similar substances; spirits.
Address (Charges for inland conveyance are collected from the addressees except at Contonou).	Parcels are accepted for all places but they must be claimed at the nearest of the following offices of which the name should, if possible, appear in the address:- Abomey, Abomey-Calavi, Allada, Aplahoue, Athieme, Attogon, Bimbereke, Bohicon, Cotonou, Cove, Dassa-Zoume, Djougou, Grand-Popo, Kandi, Natitingou, Nikki, Ouidah, Parakou, Pobe, Porto-Novo R P, Sakete, Savalou, Save
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BERMUDA

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Prohibitions¹	Butane gas lighters and refills.
Address	See under PARCEL POST.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; butane gas lighters and refills.
Address	All postal items must bear addressee’s full name and complete address. To facilitate delivery, it is also desirable to include the addressee’s mobile telephone number and e-mail address, if available, on the postal items.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BHUTAN (Kingdom of)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
General Conditions	Same as INDIA
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	Insurance, air only, limit $180.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Parcel Despatch Note. English.
General Conditions	Same as INDIA.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BOLIVIA (Republic of)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Prohibitions¹	Coin, bank-notes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer, travellers’ cheques, international credit cards, platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels and other valuable articles; cigarettes; flower and vegetable seeds; goods which are dangerous for the environment, including, health, animals, human beings and plant species; agricultural checmicals and products (pesticides and veterinary medicines) which are not registered with SENASAG (Bolivia's National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Service): pharmaceutical products and medicines whose composition is not registered with the Ministry of Health and Sport: second-hand clothing, including accessories, footwear, household linen (bed, bathroom, table and kitchen linen), blankets, mats and rugs: all books and brochures of communist propaganda.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of pharmaceuticals, plants and seeds, spirits.
Customs Duty	Photographs or unexposed films are subject to customs duty.
Delivery	See under PARCEL POST.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note. The customs declaration forms should show the weight of the parcel in grammes.
Prohibitions¹	Letters; cigarettes; cigarette lighters; cigarette papers; coin of nickel or silver; jewels and precious objects; goods which are dangerous for the environment, health, animals, human beings and plant species: agricultural, chemicals and products (pesticides and veterinary medicines) which are not registered with SENASAG (Bolivia's National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Service): pharmaceutical products and medicines whose composition is not registered with the Ministry of Health and Sport: second-hand clothing, including accessories, footwear, household linen (bed, bathroom, table and kitchen linen), mats and rugs. All books and brochures of communist propaganda. However, the prohibition does not apply to seafood treated with chemical heat process.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of pharmaceuticals, plants and seeds, spirits.
Customs Duty	Photographs or unexpected films are subject to customs duty.
Invoices	A commercial invoice, signed by a Bolivian Consul, is required for each parcel or consignment of parcels. It may be sent separately or enclosed in a parcel. If enclosed in a parcel, the customs declaration should be noted “Commercial invoice enclosed”. If the consignment consists of several parcels, they should be numbered by the sender 1, 2, 3 and so on and the invoice enclosed in parcel no. 1, the customs declaration relating to that parcel being noted accordingly, and those relating to other parcels, “Commercial invoices in parcel no. 1”.
Gift Parcels	Gifts are subject to import duties and other charges in the same way as ordinary commercial consignments.
Delivery	An SMS notification of item arrival will be sent to addressees of postal items bearing valid fixed or mobile phone number.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA
(formerly a state of Yugoslavia)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Printed papers. (2) Small packets. (3) Registration. (4) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Prohibitions¹	Coin, bank-notes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer, travellers’ cheques, platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels and other valuable articles.
Restrictions¹	See under PARCEL POST.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note.
Prohibitions¹	Bosnia-Herzegovinan bank notes and bills; essences for the manufacture of artificial wines and brandies; items for the procurement of abortion; military uniforms of other States; wines and brandies containing sulphuric acid; yeast; cashew nuts; cigarette paper; any foreign products bearing Bosnia-Herzegovinan trade marks or false or imitated trade marks; firearms and parts of firearms; whistles; spoons and food containers having a lead content of over 10%.
Restrictions¹	Senders should ascertain import requirements from the Bosnia-Herzegovinan authorities before posting the following: printed publications; drugs and poisons; serums and vaccines; medicines and patent medicines; plants, parts of plants, fruits; meat and poultry products; wireless sets; lithographic copies of plans or maps; jewellery, precious metals and stones; coffee; spare-parts for production machinery; musical instruments; utensils. The following goods may be imported: Postal items addressed to individuals may contain personal travel articles, articles for personal use and for the use of members of family (medicines and medical instruments, teaching material and leisure material) and articles for the use of their household in quantities not intended for resale. Items inherited abroad as well as articles provided for in contracts concluded between States may be freely imported in accordance with such contracts. Items addressed to individuals which do not exceeds US$30 in total, are exempted from customs duty; items the total equivalent value of which exceeds US$30 in total must pay customs duty. Natural persons of Bosnia-Herzegovinan nationality exercising a profession are entitled to import articles for use in that profession (equipment, reproduction material and spare-parts); importation will be subject to special conditions. Senders posting the above items must provide proof of the addressee’s entitlement on the customs form to import such items. If such proof is not available, the addressee will be required to produce such proof before delivery.
Gift Parcels	Gift parcels and the relative accompanying documents should be marked “Gift Parcel” or “Envoi Cadeau”.
Import Licences	Import licences are required for many types of commercial goods. The addressee must obtain the licences before parcels are posted. In order to facilitate customs clearance and the calculation of the various duties, relevant invoices must be inserted in parcels. All parcels are opened and inspected by customs.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BOTSWANA (Republic of)
(formerly Bechuanaland Protectorate)

The following are among the more important places in Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland Protectorate):

Francistown, Gaborone, Ghanzi, Kanye, Kasane, Kazungula, Lobatsi, Machaneng, Mahalapye, Maun, Mochudi, Molepolole, Palapye, Ramoutsa, Tsabong

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Prohibitions¹	Charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted); honey; printed matter relating to football pools; bank notes and other securities. Packets of more than six pictorial postcards are prohibited from importation by printed papers post.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of - Bees, leeches and silkworms, parasites and destroyers of noxious insects intended for the control of these insects and exchanged between officially recognised institutions; cheeses; cigarettes; offensive weapons of every kind and articles bearing a resemblance or capable of conversion to a weapon, including pocket knives and toy pistols; plants and seeds; serums and vaccines; spirits; yeast.
Import Licences	Import licences are required for many classes of goods and senders are advised to confirm before posting a packet that the necessary licence has been obtained by the addressees.
Customs Duty	Advertising matter is subject to customs duty.
Address	Correspondence should include a P.O. Box number in the address as there is no street/house delivery.
PARCEL POST (Air Parcel Only)
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note. Declarations must show the current value of the finished articles in the open market at the time of despatch.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; articles produced by prison labour; bullion; charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted); coin; honey and old bee-keeping appliances; oilskins and similar oiled goods; precious stones.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of – articles bearing a resemblance or capable of conversion to a weapon, including pocket knives and toy pistols; bees, leeches and silkworms, parasites and destroyers of noxious insects intended for the control of these insects and exchanged between officially recognised institutions; cheeses; cigarettes and unmanufactured leaf tobacco; military uniforms and equipment; plants and seeds; serum; vaccine and similar preparations; spirits; worn clothing; yeast.
Invoices	The addressee must produce a certified invoice in respect of any commercial parcel. The sender should forward the invoice separately from the parcel.
Packing and Marking	In addition to the general packing and marking regulations for celluloid and cinematograph and photograph films, all parcels for Kasane and Kazugula containing articles made wholly or partly of celluloid must bear a label clearly marked CELLULOID.
Import Licences	Import licences are required for many classes of goods and senders are advised to confirm before posting a parcel that the necessary licence has been obtained by the addressees. Licences are not required in respect of bona-fide gift parcels not exceeding $20 in value, nor 5 kg in weight.
Wharfage Dues	Wharfage dues may be levied on the parcels at the time of delivery.
Delivery	Parcels should include a P.O. Box number in the address. Such parcels are not delivered, but the addressees are notified of their arrival and are required to arrange for their collection.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BRAZIL (Federative Republic of)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Printed papers. (2) Small packets. (3) Registration. (4) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22. Portuguese, Spanish or French, as well as English.
Customs Clearance Fees	See under PARCEL POST.
Prohibitions¹	Alcoholic beverages, coin, bank-notes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer, travellers' cheques, platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not, bronze, nickel, or other valuable metals, precious stones, jewels and other valuable articles; primary educational books not written in Portuguese; postage stamps except in registered letters. Canes, umbrellas or other items containing concealed swords. Pharmaceutical products, handcuffs and ferules, and stationery items. Butane gas lighters. Publications (newspaper, books, periodicals, pamphlets, engravings etc) which are immoral, subversive or attack national security as well as correspondence bearing signs or drawings of that nature. Ordinary and registered letters containing articles subject to customs duty. Radioactive material. Electronic smoking devices (known as electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-ciggies and the like), including all their accessories and refills.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of medicines, plants including bulbs and seeds. Any postal items containing medicaments must bear the detailed information about the composition on the outside of the packing, so that such items can be handled appropriately by postal staff and health authorities. Importation of used consumer goods are prohibited, except under the following circumstances : Articles intended for charitable organisations recognised by the Brazilian Government as entities serving the public interest; Unaccompanied baggage for personal use, provided that the owner has it cleared through customs upon his arrival in Brazil. The import of seeds and agricultural items requires approval from the Brazilian Agriculture Department – Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) – www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br. The link to request permission to import and export agricultural items is: www.gov.br/pt-br/categorias/agricultura-e-pecuaria/licenciamento-e-habilitacao/exportacao-e-importacao. Importation into Brazil of cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, pipes and any other smoking product, whether or not derived from tobacco is prohibited. This prohibition applies to any commercial transaction involving transmission of such products by post, and the sending of any type of sample or promotional gift containing the aforementioned products. Only items classed as gifts are authorised. In this connection, it should be noted that items of this kind sent by a company do not fall within the category of gifts.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	Insurance, air only, limit $700.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Parcel Despatch Note. Portuguese, Spanish or French, as well as English.
Customs Clearance Fees	This fee is called "Fee for Postal Dispatch". A fee of 15 Brazilian reals (BRL) is to be paid by the addressee of the postal item that is taxed by the Brazilian Customs. A customs document called a Simplified Taxation Note (STN) is used to collect this import tax.
Prohibitions¹	Letters; alcoholic beverages; cotton seed and unginned cotton; raw cotton and cotton waste unless accompanied by a certificate of disinfection from a competent authority; postage stamps; precious stones; primary educational books not written in Portuguese. Butane gas lighters; coins, jewellery; salted or smoked meat, bones and other foodstuffs of animal origin. Canes, umbrellas or other items containing concealed swords. Pharmaceutical products, handcuffs and ferules, and stationery items. Gold, platinum, silver, bronze, nickel and other valuable metals or valuable articles. Publications (newspaper, books, periodicals, pamphlets, engravings etc) which are immoral, subversive or attack national security as well as correspondence bearing signs or drawings of that nature. Radioactive material. Electronic smoking devices (known as electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-ciggies and the like), including all their accessories and refills.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of bees; chemicals and medicines; foodstuffs; plants, including bulbs and seeds; saccharin and similar substances. Import permits are required for all classes of goods. A fine equal to 100 percent of the c.i.f. value of the goods is imposed on parcels for which no import licences are received. (See also invoice.) The import of seeds and agricultural items requires approval from the Brazilian Agriculture Department – Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) – www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br. The link to request permission to import and export agricultural items is: www.gov.br/pt-br/categorias/agricultura-e-pecuaria/licenciamento-e-habilitacao/exportacao-e-importacao. Importation into Brazil of cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, pipes and any other smoking product, whether or not derived from tobacco is prohibited. This prohibition applies to any commercial transaction involving transmission of such products by post, and the sending of any type of sample or promotional gift containing the aforementioned products. Only items classed as gifts are authorised. In this connection, it should be noted that items of this kind sent by a company do not fall within the category of gifts.
Address	"Poste Restante" may not be used as an address. Every parcel addressed to a bank or other agent of the person for whom it is intended must bear both on the parcel and on the despatch papers the full name and address of the ultimate consignee as well as the Agent's name and address.
Invoices	Five copies of the commercial invoice are required for every commercial parcel or consignment of parcels posted at the same time to one addressee. Before being sent to Brazil these copies either accompanied by a certificate of origin, or certified by a Chamber of Commerce, together with the import licence (or exchange cover certificate) and the parcel post receipt, must be presented to the Brazilian Consulate for consular visa to be affixed on the invoices.
Gift Parcels	No duty is charged and no import licence required for parcels valued at less than 5 US dollars. Above this value full duty and other charges are payable. An import licence or certificate of exchange cover must be obtained by the addressee and a copy of the document enclosed in the parcel.
Sealing	Parcels should be sealed with a distinctive device.
Delivery	Parcels are not delivered to the place of address. Addressees are notified of the arrival of parcels and are advised to collect them from the post office of destination. Any customs dues or any charges for handling and warehousing which may be payable are collected from the addressees when the parcels are handed over.
Parcels Containing Medicaments	Postal articles containing medicaments will not be cleared by Customs unless accompanied by a prescription from the attendant Brazilian doctor. This prescription should be on a chemist's form, bearing the name, private address or office of the doctor, his registration number with the National Medical Council and a Portuguese translation of the instructions, as necessary. Since Brazilian taxation law does not permit the partial customs clearance of an item, postal parcels containing medicaments and not satisfying the conditions will be returned to the senders, if abandoned, treated as undelivered items. Such parcels must also bear the detailed information about the composition of medicaments on the outside of the packing, to facilitate processing of the parcels by postal staff and health authorities.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BRITISH ANTARCTIC (Grahamland, South Orkneys, South Shetlands) - Same as FALKLAND ISLANDS and FALKLAND ISLANDS DEPENDENCIES

BRITISH HONDURAS - See BELIZE

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Insured packages, air only, limit $3,800. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – 2 copies of Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22.
Prohibitions¹	Charged butane gas lighters and refills.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of plants and seeds. Agricultural and veterinary products, drugs, insecticides, medicines, etc whether consigned to commercial firms or private individuals are delivered only against the production of an import permit. Plants and parts of plants, seeds, etc are subject to a permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, Brunei Darussalam which must be obtained before they are imported. Brunei dollar notes and currency notes of India and Indonesia may be sent to a bank in Brunei Darussalam authorised to receive them.
Address	See under PARCEL POST.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	Insurance, air and surface, limit $3,800
Customs Declarations	Parcel Despatch Note.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; charged butane gas lighters and refills.
Restrictions¹	Same as for LETTER POST.
Invoices	A certified invoice is required for all parcels other than those sent to private individuals, and a parcel should be marked on the address side "Invoice enclosed". Exceptionally, where a number of parcels are posted in one batch by the same sender to the same addressee, the parcels should be numbered 1, 2, 3, etc and the invoice should be enclosed in parcel No. 1. The remaining parcels should be endorsed "Invoice enclosed in parcel No. 1".
SMS Notification of Arrival	An SMS notification of item arrival will be sent to addressees of small packets, parcels and EMS items bearing valid mobile phone number.
Address	The following key information should be included on all postal items: Full name of the addressee; Fixed and mobile telephone numbers and e-mail address of the addressee, if available; Street name, house/apartment number, and any other relevant information; City name and postcode; Destination country.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BULGARIA (People's Republic of)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Printed papers. (2) Small packets. (3) Registration. (4) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22. French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	No documents, printed matter, photographs, films, recording of music may be sent by post, if they contain matter contrary to Bulgarian laws and customs. Musical cards, items containing used linen, clothing, footwear, bed coverings and linen. Ordinary and registered letters containing articles subject to customs duty. Coins, bank notes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer, travellers' cheques, platinum, gold or silver, whether manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles. In compliance with Bulgarian postal legislation, it is prohibited to insert the following articles in international postal items: Narcotics, psychotropic substances, anesthetics, toxic materials; Arms and ammunition, explosive, flammable or other hazardous materials; Obscene or immoral articles; Articles which, by their nature or their packing, may endanger the life or health of postal officials or other persons, or soil or damage other items or postal equipment; Religious materials connected with prohibited or unregistered sects or organisations; Movable cultural monuments without a permit or a certificate; Coins, banknotes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer, travellers’ cheques, platinum, gold or silver, whether manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles in uninsured postal items
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Parcel Despatch Note. In the case of a gift parcel each declaration as well as the parcel itself, must be conspicuously marked "Gift Parcel". French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted and should be declared as such on the Customs Declaration forms); saccharin. See also under LETTER POST.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of cigarette papers; dyes; medicines; plants and parts of plants; postage stamps; white paper; linen and used clothing are admitted only if accompanied by a certificate of disinfection issued by a medical authority. The importation of articles in hermetically sealed boxes is admitted only if the contents are visible.
Invoices	An invoice or a copy must be enclosed in the parcel.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BURKINA FASO
(formerly Republic of Upper Volta)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Printed papers. (2) Small packets. (3) Registration. (4) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22. French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Coin; articles of gold, platinum or silver, jewellery; precious stones; currency notes; charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted). Ordinary letters containing articles subject to customs duty.
Packing	Cinematograph films must be packed in airtight tin boxes.
Delivery	See under PARCEL POST.
PARCEL POST
Supplementary Services Available	Insurance, surface only, limit $620 (See note below).
Customs Declarations and Languages	Parcel Despatch Note. French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; counters resembling coin; weight and measures not of the decimal system; and, in addition, all goods bearing indications which suggest they are of French origin or manufacture when they are not; charged butane gas lighters and refills (uncharged lighters are admitted).
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of - Books and printed matter in Arabic; mineral waters; preserved plums; sardines and vegetables; saccharin and similar substances; spirits.
Address	Parcels are accepted for all places, but they must be claimed at the nearest of the following offices of which the name should, if possible, appear in the address: Banfora, Batie, Bobo-Dioulasso, Boromo, Dedougou, Diebougou, Dori, Fada N'Gourma, Gaoua, Kaya, Koudougou, Leo, Nouna, Ouagadougou R.P., Ouahigouya, PO, Tenkodogo, *Tougan
Delivery	All postal items must bear complete addresses to facilitate delivery. It is also desirable to include the addressee's mobile telephone number and e-mail address on parcels and registered items.
Insurance	Parcels are accepted for insurance only for those places mentioned above which are marked with an asterisk (*).
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.

BURUNDI (Republic of)

LETTER POST
Supplementary Services Available	(1) Dutiable goods admitted in the letter post. (2) Printed papers. (3) Small packets. (4) Registration. (5) Blind literature.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Value up to $700 – CN 22; Value over $700 – Parcel Despatch Note in addition to upper part of CN 22. Flemish or French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Gold jewellery, platinum, precious stones, silver, coins and currency notes in registered items; bearer securities over 50 francs in value in unregistered postal items.
PARCEL POST (Air Parcel Only)
Supplementary Services Available	None.
Customs Declarations and Languages	Parcel Despatch Note. Flemish or French as well as English.
Prohibitions¹	Letters, except those exchanged between the sender and the addressee of the parcel or persons residing with them; bearer securities over 50 francs in value; newspapers, publications or works forbidden by the Government; alcoholic beverages with absinthe as a base.
Restrictions¹	Restrictions apply to the importation of saccharin, and similar products. Import licences may be required for some classes of goods.
Invoices	An invoice may be required for each commercial parcel or consignment of commercial parcels for the same address; and senders are recommended to satisfy themselves as to the need for fulfilling this requirement before parcels are posted.
¹ Senders should determine import restrictions/prohibitions of destination country before posting.