Chad customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Chad's real customs risk is not the duty-free allowance but the cash declaration: officers at N'Djamena airport and at land borders actively check, and undeclared excess is seized on the spot. Overland arrivals from Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Sudan or CAR face multiple checkpoints where 'informal fees' are common — keep your stamped declaration receipt visible and your documents in one folder.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2 litres of wine or beer. Must be 18+. Anything above is subject to customs duty plus 18% VAT.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$1,700

Declare cash or negotiable instruments of 1,000,000 XAF (about US$1,700) or more. Use the declaration card handed out on the aircraft or the form at the red channel; keep the stamped copy — you will be asked for it on departure.

Goods duty-free

$500

Personal effects and gifts up to 300,000 XAF (about US$500) are duty-free. Above that, expect customs duty (typically 5–30% depending on the item) plus 18% VAT and a 0.4% OHADA levy.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and psychotropic drugs (including tramadol, codeine and khat)
Counterfeit currency and counterfeit branded goods
Pornographic material and any material deemed offensive to Islam or the state
Firearms, ammunition and military equipment without a defence ministry permit
Raw ivory, rhinoceros horn and other protected wildlife products
Unpasteurised dairy products and fresh meat from disease-affected regions

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Satellite phones and GPS tracking devices — require a licence from the Ministry of Communications
Drones — must be declared and approved by the civil aviation authority before arrival
Live animals and pets — need a veterinary health certificate and import permit
Plants and seeds — require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
Prescription medicines — allowed only with a valid prescription and a customs permit for controlled substances

Arriving: red vs green channel

At N'Djamena International Airport you walk through a single customs hall; there is no automated red/green channel. Fill in the arrival declaration card handed out on the plane and hand it to the officer. If you have nothing to declare, join the shorter queue on the right — but be ready to open bags, as random searches are common. If you are carrying cash over 1,000,000 XAF or restricted goods, go to the office on the left and ask for the red-channel officer.

Bringing medication

Bring personal medication in its original pharmacy packaging with a copy of your prescription. Chad classifies many common Western drugs — including tramadol, codeine, diazepam and some ADHD stimulants — as controlled or prohibited; without a valid prescription and a customs permit you risk arrest. Carry no more than a 30-day personal supply.

Food, plants & animal products

All fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants, soil and unpasteurised dairy are banned. Meat and poultry products from countries with avian influenza or foot-and-mouth outbreaks are confiscated. Declare any packaged food; unlabelled or homemade items are destroyed on the spot.

Rules worth knowing

Cash declaration is enforced, not optional

The 1,000,000 XAF threshold is low by regional standards and officers at N'Djamena airport and land borders actively check. Undeclared excess is seized and you can be fined up to the amount involved. Declare first, argue later.

Land borders have multiple checkpoints

If you enter overland from Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Sudan or CAR, you will pass customs, police, gendarmerie and sometimes military checkpoints. Keep your passport, visa and customs declaration receipt in one folder and expect to show them repeatedly.

Currency rules are strict

The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is pegged to the euro. You may import or export up to 1,000,000 XAF in local currency; anything above needs prior authorisation from the BEAC central bank. Foreign currency is unlimited but must be declared if over the threshold.

Photography and satellite gear

Professional cameras, satellite phones and drones are treated as sensitive equipment. Declare them on arrival and be ready to explain their purpose; undeclared satellite phones are confiscated and can lead to detention.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Chad requires a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travellers over 9 months old arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country. Without it, you may be vaccinated at the airport for a fee or refused entry.

Not without prior written authorisation. Satellite phones need a licence from the Ministry of Communications, and drones require approval from the civil aviation authority. Declare them on arrival; undeclared devices are confiscated and you may be fined.

You can export up to 1,000,000 XAF (about US$1,700) without authorisation. Anything above requires prior approval from the BEAC. Foreign currency export is limited to the amount you declared on arrival.

No. N'Djamena International Airport has no arrival duty-free shop. Duty-free purchases must be made before boarding your flight to Chad, and they count toward your allowance.

Customs will seize the undeclared amount and issue a fine that can equal the sum involved. In serious cases you may be detained. Always declare at the red channel and keep the stamped receipt.

Yes, within the duty-free limits: 1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV or 2 litres of wine/beer, and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. You must be 18 or older. Anything above is subject to duty and VAT.

No. Chad does not operate a tourist VAT refund scheme. VAT paid on purchases in Chad is not refundable at the airport.

Official source

Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (Chad Customs)