Chad

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Chad, 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 Chad, 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 Chad. 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 Chad at 19 out of 100 (165th out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e. 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 CHAD may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES HAVE REVISED AND EXTENDED THE EXISTING NIGHTLY CURFEW IN CERTAIN REGIONS THROUGH AT LEAST NOVEMBER 3 AS PART OF GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO SLOW THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19). DURING CURFEW HOURS, PEOPLE OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES MAY BE SUBJECT TO QUESTIONING AND ARREST BY POLICE OR MILITARY PERSONNEL.  ONLY THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROVISION OF CRITICAL SERVICES MAY LEAVE THEIR HOMES DURING THE CURFEW HOURS. OTHER RESTRICTIONS AND MEASURES REMAIN NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS ON TRAVEL INTO AND OUT OF N'DJAMENA AND ALL REGIONAL CAPITALS. TRAVELERS TO CHAD MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF HAVING TESTED NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19 USING A TEST TAKEN UP TO SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL IN CHAD. TRAVELERS PLANNING TO STAY IN THE COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A MANDATORY SEVEN-DAY QUARANTINE AND WILL NEED TO SURRENDER THEIR PASSPORTS. TRAVELERS STAYING IN CHAD FOR LESS THAN SVEN DAYS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE.

RECONSIDER TRAVEL TO CHAD DUE TO CRIME, TERRORISM AND MINEFIELDS.

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 Chad on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. 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. 

The threat of civil unrest in Chad is high.  Protests occur often and sometimes devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to economic conditions or political developments, such as election campaigns. In addition, opposition and labor unions occasionally call for general strikes and protests to press for economic or democratic reforms. Protests are most common in N'Djamena and the eastern parts of Chad, and occasionally cause significant transportation delays.

Crime generally poses a high threat and criminal activity is prevalent in both urban and rural locations, particularly in N'Djamena along the riverside area between the Novotel La Tchadienne, the French Embassy, the footpath near the Presidential Palace, in the city of Abeche, in Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti and in Lac regions, and in border areas. 

Nonviolent crime poses a high threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff and is widespread. Thieves typically target purses, bags, wallets, smartphones, and other electronic devices. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially at crowded market places, on buses, in taxis or cars, in restaurants or bars, and outside of ATMs/banks. Criminals typically target foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff due to their perceived wealth.

Crimes against foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff are more likely to escalate late at night or if the victim attempts to resist. Criminals often act alone or in groups. 

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination poses a high threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff in Chad. Women may be harassed for clothing deemed immodest. 

Anti-LGBT violence may occur. Although there are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations, local social norms favor discretion in sexual relations and are not uniformly accepting of same-sex relationships. Same-sex couples that publicly express affection may face harassment from locals.

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 must always carry an acceptable form of identification; you may be taken in for questioning by the police if you are unable to produce identification on demand. Convictions for possessing, using, and/or trafficking in illegal drugs result in long prison sentences and heavy fines.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.  Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. 

Photography: All photography requires a permit issued by the Ministry of Public Security and Immigration. It is illegal to take pictures of military sites, official buildings, airports, and public monuments. Such sites are not always clearly marked.

LGBTI Travelers: Strong social and cultural strictures against homosexuality exist, and no known LGBTI organizations operate in the country. The law prohibits but does not define “unnatural acts,” and could be used against LGBTI persons.