Djibouti

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Djibouti, 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 Djibouti, 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 Djibouti. 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 Djibouti at 31 out of 100 (124th 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 DJIBOUTI  may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES IN DJIBOUTIE HAVE MAINTAINED SOME MEASURES LINKED TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) AS OF OCTOBER 28. THE PRIMARY AIR ENTRY POINT, DJIBOUTI-AMBOULI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (JIB) REOPENED JULY 17. ALL PASSENGERS ENTERING OR TRANSITING DJIBOUTI WILL BE TESTED UPON ARRIVAL FOR COVID-19; THOSE WHO TEST POSITIVE WILL ENTER GOVERNMENT ISOLATION CENTERS OR BE DEPORTED.  THE WEARING OF PROTECTIVE FACEMASKS IN PUBLIC IS MANDATORY. OFFICIAL MAY IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS OR HEALTH SECURITY MEASURES WITH LITTLE NOTICE.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.

If you are traveling to Djibouti 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 Djibouti is high.  Protests occur sporadically in Djibouti and sometimes devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to religious issues, or political developments, such as elections. Protests are most common in the Balbala District, west of Djibouti city, and occasionally cause significant transportation delays.

Crime generally poses a low threat in Djibouti. Criminal activity is most prevalent in rural locations, particularly in Dorale and Khor Ambado beaches and other areas outside Djibouti city. 

Nonviolent crime poses a moderate threat to foreign nationals and is concentrated in congested areas within Djibouti. Thieves typically target purses, bags, wallets, smartphones, and other electronic devices. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially in markets, ports, hotels, while in taxis or cars, and in restaurants or bars. Foreign nationals are not typically targeted by criminals.  Crimes against foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff are more likely to escalate late at night. Criminals often act alone or in groups of children. 

Scams pose a low threat to foreign nationals in Djibouti. This may include advance fee scams and sale of counterfeit products. 

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Djibouti is low; foreign nationals are rarely targeted by criminals. Violent crime, including burglary and assault poses the greatest threat in rural areas. Criminals in Djibouti may use force if a victim resists; do not resist.  

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination poses a moderate threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, local staff in Djibouti. Anti-LGBT violence may occur in Djibouti.The law criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual conduct, but there are no reported incidents of violence against same-sex couples or discrimination. However, local social norms favor discretion in sexual relations; thus, 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. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs result in long prison sentences and heavy fines. Although the narcotic khat is legal in Djibouti, it is illegal in many countries, including the United States. Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. 

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.  Djiboutian law enforcement officials occasionally prevent foreigners from contacting anyone while in detention. Because of this, the U.S. Embassy may not receive notification of an arrest or may not be allowed access to you if you are detained.

Photography:  It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations or personnel, and other infrastructure such as air and sea ports, bridges, and public buildings, as well as of religious sites, such as mosques. You could be fined, have your photographic equipment confiscated, and risk detention and/or expulsion. Do not take photos of Djiboutians without their permission.

LGBTI Travelers:  While there are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events, societal norms do not allow for the public discussion of homosexuality and there are no known LGBTI organizations. Authorities may prosecute public display of same-sex sexual conduct under laws prohibiting attacks on “good morals.” No antidiscrimination law exists to protect LGBTI individuals.