BurundiTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
AfricaLast checked 20 Jul 2026Low confidence: check with the embassyHow we rate a record
We could not find a published rule for these medications in Burundi, and we would rather say so than infer one.
Serious penalties: Under Burundi's Penal Code, illicit possession or consumption of a substance classified as a narcotic is a criminal offence (Art. 510), and so is illegal import, manufacture or export (Art. 508); separately, under the Customs Code, unauthorised or undeclared import, export, transit or possession of narcotics or psychotropic substances is a further criminal offence (Art. 307(g)). None of these instruments states a personal-medical-travel exemption, and the ministerial ordinance that Penal Code Art. 505-506 and pharmacy-law Art. 57 both point to as the source of any lawful exception was not found published.
We could not find strong recent official guidance for this country. Contact the embassy or consulate directly before you travel.
By medication
Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything Burundi records specifically for that medication.
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Unclear
We could not confirm whether Burundi's law names lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse): the list is left to a Health Minister's ordinance that we could not find. No rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Unclear
Burundi's controlled-substances framework is asymmetric between the two classes. The Penal Code's 'Des stupéfiants' chapter and the pharmacy law's narcotics chapter never use the word 'psychotrope,' so neither instrument's authorisation-or-prohibition regime can be confirmed to extend to ADHD stimulant medication. The Customs Code is the one instrument that names psychotropic substances explicitly, making unauthorised or undeclared import/export/transit/possession a criminal offence under the Customs Code, with the same red/green channel system applying. No source states what 'authorisation' for a psychotropic substance consists of or who issues it. No ABREMA, MSPLS or OBR page addresses ADHD medication specifically, and no personal-use quantity or traveller form is published. Art. 281(1)(b) separately makes 'la détention sans justification' of narcotics and psychotropic substances a first-category offence, so possession with a prescription and a declaration is arguably outside it, but no source states what Burundian customs accepts as justification. A traveller carrying methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts or lisdexamfetamine should expect to
- Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Unclear
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Unclear
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled, but Burundi has not published a rule for travellers carrying their own prescription medicine. Burundi's pharmacy law says no one may import medicines for use in Burundi without authorisation from the Minister of Public Health (Loi 1/11 of 8 May 2020, art 24, pages 18 to 19). That rule is written for importers and pharmacies and does not mention travellers, so it is not clear how it applies to medicine in your luggage. We suggest carrying your prescription and a letter from your doctor, keeping the medicine in its original packaging, and asking Burundi's medicines regulator (ABREMA) before you travel.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Unclear
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
- Intuniv (guanfacine)Unclear
The same rule as Strattera above.
- Qelbree (viloxazine)Unclear
The same rule as Strattera above.
Rules by drug class
Narcotic (opioids)
Unclear- Quantity
- No traveller personal-use quantity is published by any Burundian authority. The Customs Code confirms an indicative baggage-allowance list exists in the Bulletin Officiel des Douanes but it was not located online.
- Permit
- Not published. No traveller application form, portal, lead time or fee is published. ABREMA's ASYCUDA-based import authorisation is a commercial importer's process, not a traveller route.
- In force
- Since 29 December 2017.
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Unclear- Quantity
- No traveller personal-use quantity is published by any Burundian authority.
- Permit
- Not published. No traveller application form, portal, lead time or fee is published.
Not internationally controlled
Unclear- Permit
- Required. Burundi's pharmacy law requires the Minister's authorisation to import medicines for use in Burundi (Loi 1/11 of 8 May 2020, art 24). The published procedure is written for importers and pharmacies, and no route for a traveller is published.
Leaving Burundi
Burundi publishes a different rule for taking these medicines out than for bringing them in. Only the differences are below. Anything not listed here is the same as the rule above.
Narcotic (opioids)
Penal Code Art. 508 punishes illegal export with the same 10-15 year penalty as illegal import, and Customs Code Art. 307(g) names export symmetrically with import and transit in the same offence; no separate outbound-only process for travellers is published.
Responsible authority
Agence Burundaise de Régulation des Médicaments (ABREMA); Ministry of Public Health (MSPLS)
ABREMA: abrema.bi@outlook.com
Sources
The sources behind everything above, so you can check it yourself rather than take our word for it. Always confirm the current rule with the source before you travel.
- ABREMA: Fonction RéglementaireGovernment
- ABREMA: Demande d'une autorisation d'importationGovernment
- ABREMA: Note d'instruction du 22/06/2021 (dossier de demande d'autorisation d'importation)Government
- ABREMA: Inspection des colisGovernment
- ABREMA: Formulaire de demande d'inspection des colisGovernment
- Portail d'Informations Commerciales (PIC) du Burundi: procédures d'importation de médicamentsGovernment
- OBR: Opérations douanièresGovernment
- OBR: Lois et règlementsGovernment
- MSPLS: Décrets et OrdonnancesGovernment
- Loi n°1/11 du 8 mai 2020 sur la pharmacie et le médicament: no one may import medicines without ministerial authorisation, art 24, pages 18 to 19; importing or holding narcotics needs ministerial authorisation, art 55, page 24; written prescription, art 117, page 42; no substance listGovernment, 2020-05-08
- Code pénal du Burundi (Loi n°1/27 de 2017): narcotics are those listed by health ministry ordinance, arts 505 to 506, BOB page 2099; illegal import 10 to 15 years, art 508, page 2100; no substance listGovernment, 2017-12-29
- ABREMA: page d'accueilGovernment
- Loi n°1/11 du 8 mai 2020 sur la pharmacie et le médicament (signed text, WHO copy): ministerial authorisation to import or hold narcotics, art 55, page 24; written prescription, art 117, page 42Secondary, 2020-05-08
- Code des douanes du Burundi (Loi n°1/02 de 2007, VERTIC copy): unauthorised or undeclared import, transit or holding of narcotics and psychotropics, art 281, page 102; penalties, art 307(g), page 112Secondary, 2007-01-11
- INCB: Country Regulations for Travellers (index)Treaty body
Your trip pack
Burundi needs a permit before you fly. The pack works out your apply-by date from your travel date.
We have not found an application form or portal for travellers here, so the pack gives you Agence Burundaise de Régulation des Médicaments (ABREMA); Ministry of Public Health (MSPLS) to contact, what to put in the request, and how long to allow. Plus a doctor's letter pre-filled with your medications and every stop, and a checklist in travel order.
Build your trip packThis page organises publicly available government information and links. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules change and enforcement varies, so always confirm with the official sources above or the Burundi embassy or consulate before travelling.