Guinea customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Guinea's customs service operates with wide officer discretion and a reputation for informal payments, so the single biggest risk for a visitor is an undeclared item — currency, commercial goods, or a second laptop — being spotted during a bag search. Keep receipts, declare anything questionable, and never pay a 'facilitation fee' without asking for a receipt and a supervisor.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, or 2 litres of wine or beer. Travellers must be 18 or older. Anything above this is subject to duty at the officer's assessment, typically 20–50% of value plus 18% VAT.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,000

Declare if you carry 50,000,000 GNF (about USD 5,800) or more in cash or negotiable instruments. Use the currency declaration form available at the red channel or from the customs desk before baggage claim. Undeclared excess can be seized and a fine of up to 25% of the amount imposed.

Goods duty-free

$800

Personal effects and gifts up to 5,000,000 GNF (about USD 580) are duty-free. Above that, a flat 20% duty applies to the excess value for most consumer goods, plus 18% VAT on the duty-inclusive amount. Keep purchase receipts for electronics, phones and jewellery.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and psychotropic substances (cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine) — penalties include long prison sentences
Counterfeit currency and counterfeit branded goods
Pornographic material and any material deemed offensive to Islam or public morals
Firearms, ammunition and explosives without a prior permit from the Ministry of Interior
Raw meat, poultry and unpasteurised dairy products from countries with avian or foot-and-mouth disease
Live animals and birds without a veterinary import permit and health certificate

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Satellite phones and encrypted radio equipment — require a licence from the telecommunications regulator (ARPT)
Drone cameras and professional camera equipment — must be declared and may need a filming permit
Prescription medicines containing controlled substances — need a doctor's letter and may require Ministry of Health approval
Plants, seeds and soil — require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
Gold and precious metals in commercial quantities — must be declared and are subject to export/import controls

Arriving: red vs green channel

At Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport, follow the red channel if you have anything to declare — cash over the threshold, commercial goods, or restricted items. If you have nothing to declare, use the green channel, but be ready for a bag search; officers routinely pull aside first-time visitors. There is no universal arrival card, but you must complete a customs declaration form if you are carrying currency above the threshold or goods above the duty-free limit.

Bringing medication

Bring personal medication in its original pharmacy packaging with a copy of your prescription. Guinea classifies many common Western drugs — including certain strong painkillers (tramadol, codeine in some forms), benzodiazepines, and amphetamine-based ADHD medicines — as controlled substances. Without a valid prescription and a doctor's letter, they can be confiscated and you can be detained. Carry no more than a 30-day personal supply; anything larger needs prior authorisation from the Ministry of Health.

Food, plants & animal products

All meat, poultry, dairy, fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, soil and live plants are prohibited or require a phytosanitary certificate. Processed and sealed foods (canned goods, packaged biscuits, tea, coffee) are generally allowed in small quantities for personal use. Declare any food or plant item at the red channel; undeclared agricultural products are confiscated and destroyed, and you may be fined.

Rules worth knowing

Cash declaration is enforced

Guinea's customs actively checks cash at the airport and land borders. If you carry 50,000,000 GNF (about USD 5,800) or more, you must declare it on the currency form. Undeclared cash is seized and a fine of up to 25% is levied. Keep your bank withdrawal receipts to prove the source.

Electronics and phones are scrutinised

Bringing in more than one laptop or two mobile phones per person often triggers a demand for duty, even if they are for personal use. Officers may ask for the purchase receipt and charge 20% duty on the value. If you carry expensive camera gear, declare it on arrival to avoid trouble on departure.

Bribes are illegal but common

Customs officers may ask for a 'tip' or 'facilitation fee' to clear your bags. This is illegal. Politely ask for a receipt and the officer's name, or request to speak to a supervisor. Paying a bribe can lead to further demands and legal trouble.

Departure tax is included in your ticket

There is no separate cash departure tax at Conakry airport — it is built into your airline ticket. Ignore anyone asking for an extra 'airport tax' in cash at the gate.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for all travellers over 9 months old arriving from or transiting through a country with yellow fever transmission. You must present the original WHO yellow card at the health desk before customs. Without it, you may be vaccinated on arrival at your own cost (around USD 50) or denied entry.

No, not without prior permission. Satellite phones require a licence from ARPT (the telecom regulator), and drones need a permit from the Ministry of Defence. Arriving with either undeclared will result in confiscation and a fine. Apply weeks in advance through a local sponsor.

You will be sent to the red channel and charged duty. For alcohol, expect to pay roughly 20–50% of the value plus 18% VAT. For cigarettes, the duty is about 30% of the value. The officer may also simply confiscate the excess. It is cheaper to buy extra at the airport duty-free on arrival if available.

No. Guinea does not operate a tourist VAT refund scheme. You cannot claim back the 18% VAT on purchases when you leave. Factor this into your shopping budget.

Personal gold jewellery for your own use is allowed duty-free if it is reasonable in quantity and declared. Gold bars or commercial quantities require a licence from the Central Bank of Guinea and must be declared. Undeclared gold is seized and can lead to prosecution.

Sealed, processed foods like biscuits, tea, coffee and canned goods are fine in small amounts. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy and seeds are banned without a phytosanitary or veterinary certificate. Declare any food at the red channel; undeclared items are confiscated.

The threshold is 50,000,000 GNF (about USD 5,800) in any currency. If you carry that amount or more, you must fill out a currency declaration form. There is no limit on how much you can bring, but undeclared amounts over the threshold are subject to seizure and a fine of up to 25%.

Official source

Direction Générale des Douanes Guinéennes (Guinean Customs Directorate)