Import regulations by Iraq customs

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520


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This information is current as of today, Mon Aug 27 11:09:01 2007.

IRAQ
July 23, 2007

This Travel Warning updates the current security situation and reiterates the dangers of the use of civilian aircraft and road travel within Iraq. This supersedes the Travel Warning of August 28, 2006.

The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq, which remains very dangerous. Remnants of the former Ba?ath regime, transnational terrorists, criminal elements and numerous insurgent groups remain active. Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue, including in the International (or ?Green?) Zone. Targets include convoys en-route to venues, hotels, restaurants, police stations, checkpoints, foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations and other locations with expatriate personnel. These attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries of American citizens, including those doing humanitarian work. In addition, there have been planned and random killings, as well as extortions and kidnappings. Several U.S. citizens subsequently were murdered by terrorists. U.S. citizens and other foreigners are targeted by insurgent groups and criminals for kidnapping and murder. Military operations continue. There are daily attacks against Multinational Forces - Iraq (MNF-I) and Iraqi Security Forces throughout the country.

There is credible information that terrorists are targeting civil aviation. Civilian and military aircraft arriving at and departing from Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) for other major cities in Iraq have been subjected to small arms and missiles. Civilian aircraft generally lack defense systems capable of defeating man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). As a result of a security incident at the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), the U.S. Embassy has prohibited all U.S. government employees from departing BIAP on commercial airlines until further notice.

All vehicular travel in Iraq is extremely dangerous. There have been numerous attacks on civilian vehicles, as well as military convoys. Attacks occur throughout the day, but travel at night is exceptionally dangerous. Travel in or through Ramadi and Fallujah; in and between al-Hillah, al-Basrah, Kirkuk, Baqubah (Diyala Province), and Baghdad; between the International Zone and Baghdad International Airport; and from Baghdad to Mosul is particularly dangerous.

Occasionally, U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from traveling to certain areas depending on prevailing security conditions. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs), and mines often are placed on roads, concealed in plastic bags, boxes, soda cans, dead animals, and in other ways to blend with the road. Grenades and explosives have been thrown into vehicles from overpasses, particularly in crowded areas. Overland travel should be undertaken only when absolutely necessary and with the appropriate security.

The U.S. Embassy is located in the International Zone. The Embassy can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Government personnel assigned to Iraq sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security restrictions. At present, travel to and from the International Zone is extremely limited. Unofficial travel to Iraq by U.S. Government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State. The U.S. Embassy does not provide visa services to the general public. American citizens who choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this Travel Warning are urged to pay close attention to their personal security, avoid crowds, especially rallies or demonstrations, and to inform the U.S. Embassy of their presence in Iraq. All Americans in Baghdad are strongly encouraged to register with the Embassy at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp.

American citizens may obtain the latest security information or other information about Iraq by contacting the U.S. Embassy, located in the International Zone, via landline at: 1-240-553-0584, via Iraqna cellular phones at 07901-191-0058/57/56/54/53/52/49/48, via e-mail to usconsulbaghdad@state.gov, or by accessing the U.S. Embassy's website at http://iraq.usembassy.gov. The after-hours number in case of extreme emergency is 1-914-822-5493 or Iraqna 07901-732-134.

Updated information on travel and security in Iraq may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Iraq, as well as the current Worldwide Caution and the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcements, all of which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.



Imports:
Tobacco:200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
Alcohol:1 litre
Perfume:500ml

Export regulations by Iraq customs

Exporrs:
Prohibited:

electronic equipment
vaccines, viruses
drugs,chemicals
live animals
obscene literature
weapon
fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and milk products

Other Iraq customs information

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.

Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Malaria risk is almost entirely in the benign vivax form and exists from May to November principally in areas in the north below 1500m (4920ft) Basrah, Duhok, Erbil, Ninawa, Sulaimaniya and Ta?min Province. The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine.

Food drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Note: (a) All travellers entering Iraq are required to take an AIDS test. A fee will be charged for this. (b) Travellers suffering from AIDS, tuberculosis, syphilis or leprosy will be deported.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, dysentery and typhoid fever are common. Hepatitis B is endemic and hepatitis A is widespread. Visceral leishmaniasis is common in central Iraq. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is reported. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever has been reported. Tick-borne relapsing fever may occur.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Health insurance including emergency repatriation cover is essential. Basic modern medical care and medicines may not be available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_921.html