Senegal customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Senegal's customs service is known for strict enforcement at Blaise Diagne International Airport, especially on cash and electronics that look commercial. Officers can count your money and inspect your bags on the spot, and the red channel is the safer choice if you are unsure about anything.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, or 2 litres of wine, beer or other alcohol under 22% ABV. You must be 18 or older. Anything above that is subject to duty at the customs officer's discretion.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$1,600
Declare if you carry 1,000,000 CFA francs or more (about $1,600). This includes foreign currency converted to CFA. Use the customs declaration form available on the plane or at the red channel; there is no online system. Undeclared amounts can be confiscated and fined.
Goods duty-free
$800
Personal effects and gifts up to 500,000 CFA francs (about $800) are duty-free. Above that, customs applies a flat duty that varies by item — typically 20% to 30% for electronics and 50% for luxury goods. Keep receipts for anything valuable.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances (cannabis, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines)
  • Counterfeit currency and counterfeit branded goods
  • Pornographic materials and materials offensive to Islam
  • Live animals and birds without a veterinary certificate
  • Fresh meat and unpasteurised dairy from countries with foot-and-mouth or avian flu outbreaks
  • Walkie-talkies and unlicensed radio transmitters

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Firearms and ammunition — require a permit from the Ministry of Interior
  • Drone cameras — need prior authorisation from the civil aviation authority
  • Satellite phones — require a licence from the telecommunications regulator
  • Prescription medicines containing controlled substances — need a doctor's letter and Ministry of Health approval
  • Plants and seeds — require a phytosanitary certificate
  • Gold and precious stones over 500,000 CFA in value — must be declared

Arriving: red vs green channel

At Blaise Diagne International Airport you walk through a red or green channel after baggage claim. Green means nothing to declare — no cash over 1,000,000 CFA, no commercial goods, nothing on the restricted list. If you have anything to declare, or you are unsure, take the red channel and speak to an officer; they will assess duty on the spot. There is no separate arrival card for customs, but you must fill in the cash declaration form if you meet the threshold.

Bringing medication

Bring personal medication in its original packaging with a copy of your prescription. Senegal allows up to three months' supply for personal use. Controlled substances — including tramadol, codeine, and certain benzodiazepines — require a letter from your doctor and prior approval from the Ministry of Health; without it they can be seized. Narcotics such as cannabis, cocaine, and heroin carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment.

Food, plants & animal products

Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, and plants are banned unless you have a phytosanitary certificate. Meat, dairy, and animal products from countries with recent disease outbreaks are prohibited. Packaged, shelf-stable food for personal consumption is generally allowed but must be declared if it exceeds 5 kg. You can bring up to 2 kg of fish or seafood for personal use.

Rules worth knowing

Cash declaration is enforced

Senegal aggressively enforces the 1,000,000 CFA (about $1,600) cash declaration rule. Officers at Blaise Diagne International Airport routinely count cash and have authority to seize undeclared amounts. Declare even if you are just transiting.

Green channel means nothing

If you have a laptop, a second bottle of alcohol, or any item that might be considered commercial, use the red channel. Walking through green with undeclared goods can lead to a fine of up to 100% of the item's value plus confiscation.

Currency import limits

You can bring in unlimited foreign currency, but if it exceeds 1,000,000 CFA equivalent you must declare it. Exporting CFA francs is capped at 500,000 CFA per person.

Temporary import of electronics

Laptops, cameras, and phones for personal use are allowed duty-free, but if you are carrying more than one of the same item, customs may treat it as commercial and demand duty. Keep receipts.

Frequently asked questions

No, personal electronics for your own use are duty-free and do not need to be declared. But if you are carrying two laptops or three phones, customs may consider them commercial goods and charge duty.
Yes, up to three months' supply with a prescription. For controlled drugs like tramadol or codeine, you need a doctor's letter and prior approval from Senegal's Ministry of Health. Without it, they can be confiscated.
Customs can seize the entire undeclared amount and fine you up to 25% of the sum. There is no warning — the penalty is applied on the spot.
Yes, there is a small duty-free shop after baggage claim, but it is only for arriving passengers and stocks are limited. You cannot buy alcohol or tobacco there before clearing customs.
No. Meat and dairy products are prohibited unless they are shelf-stable and commercially packaged. Fresh cheese, ham, and sausages will be confiscated at customs.
1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, or 2 litres of wine or beer. Anything above that is subject to duty, which is typically 50% of the value.
Yes, if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission. The certificate must be presented at immigration, not customs, but without it you may be denied entry or vaccinated on arrival.

Official source

Direction Générale des Douanes du Sénégal

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Direction Générale des Douanes du Sénégal before travelling.