Angola

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Angola, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2.

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Angola, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120.

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The United States does not have a tax treaty with Angola. For more information about double taxation issues, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance.

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Angola at 19 out of 100 (165th out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e. very  corrupt).

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.  

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations.

Articles

The US State Department's page on ANGOLA may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES IN ANGOLA HAVE EXTENDED THE SANITARY CORDON THROUGH AT LEAST NOVEMBER 22 IN CONTINUED EFFORTS TO CURB THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19). SEVERAL RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: LIMITED INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL IS PERMITTED; HOWEVER, AUTHORIZATION FROM AUTHORITIES TO ENTER AND LEAVE ANGOLA IS NO LONGER REQUIRED PROVIDED A PCR COVID-19 TEST IS TAKEN NO MORE THAN 72 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE OR ARRIVAL AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TRAVELER. TRAVELERS ENTERING LUANDA NO LONGER NEED PERMITS BUT ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST. IT IS MANDATORY TO WEAR FACEMASKS WHILE COMMUTING WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC SPACES. THOSE CAUGHT IN BREACH OF COVID-19 MEASURES AND RESTRICTIONS WILL BE SUBJECT TO FINES.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail).

If you are traveling to Angola on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here(link is external). For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic(link is external)

The international airport in Luanda is served by African and European airlines and is the main entry point into Angola. One domestic airline and some charter companies provide flights within the country. 

Roads among major urban centers are in relatively good condition, but traveling outside Luanda without a guide is not advised. Traffic flows on the right. Road travel can be particularly dangerous during Angola's rainy season (October - March). Rain may cause damage in the form of large potholes or erosion. In rural areas, landmines continue to be an issue. Areas where landmines are suspected are typically marked with warning signs.

The phone system is largely unreliable because there are many more phones than connection lines. The Luanda-Benguela link is the only regularly reliable domestic connection. All modes of communication may be monitored. Use discretion when discussing proprietary information.

Angola is a cash-only economy. Credit cards are accepted by major hotels but not by many other businesses. Traveler's checks are not widely accepted, and large fees are charged to exchange them. Foreign currencies are far more widely accepted and easier to exchange than traveler's checks. ATMs are generally only available to those who hold accounts at local banks.

Official Languages
The official language is Portuguese, with various African languages spoken. English is understood, especially in Luanda.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. You may be taken in for questioning by the police if unable to produce an acceptable form of identification or passport. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs result in long prison sentences and heavy fines. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law.  our 

Photography: It is illegal to take pictures or use binoculars, maps, or GPS near government buildings, military installations, and key infrastructure. You could be fined, have your photographic equipment confiscated, and risk detention and arrest. Do not take photos of people without their permission.

Libel Laws/Slander: Disrespecting government officials is illegal and can lead to expulsion from the country. Angolan authorities confiscated the U.S. passports of a family for several weeks after they complained to immigration officials about the time it took to process their visas and passports at the airport.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. 

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Angola, although it is not socially acceptable. Same-sex couples have been harassed.