Guinea-Bissau

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Guinea-Bissau, 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 Guinea-Bissau, 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 Guinea-Bissau. 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 Guinea-Bissau at 16 out of 100 (172nd 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 GUINEA-BISSAU may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AS OF OCTOBER 30, AUTHORITIES IN GUINEA-BISSAU HAVE MAINTAINED THE COUNTRY'S STATE OF CALAMITY AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19). THE STATE OF CALAMITY WILL BE IN PLACE THROUGH AT LEAST DECEMBER 8. THE EDICT FOLLOWS REPEATED EXTENSIONS OF THE COUNTRY'S STATE OF EMERGENCY AND THE GRADUAL LIFTING OF SOME OF THE ASSOCIATED RESTRICTIVE MEASURES. INTERNATONAL PASSENGER FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO RESUME IN RECENT MONTHS. ALL TRAVELERS INTENDING ON ENTERING THE COUNTRY WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED ENTRY ON THE PROVISION OF A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST TAKEN UP TO 72 HOURS BEFORE TRAVEL. TRAVELERS WITHOUT A TEST CERTIFICATE WILL BE QUARANTINED FOR 14 DAYS. TRAVELERS WHO DISPLAY SYMPTOMS, OR HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER TRAVELERS WHO DISPLAY SYMPTOMS, ALSO RISK ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE MEASURES. ALL RESTRICTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT, AND RELAXED MEASURES COULD BE REIMPOSED AT SHORT NOTICE.

RECONSIDER TRAVEL TO GUINEA-BISSAU DUE TO CRIME AND CIVIL UNREST.      

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 Guinea-Bissau on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program 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. 

Threats to security in Guinea-Bissau are generally high. Crime generally poses a high threat in Guinea-Bissau. Petty crime is an ever-present threat globally, but in Guinea-Bissau, other criminal threats include home invasion, carjacking, mugging, burglary, armed robbery, and sexual assault. Criminal activity is most prevalent in urban, rural, and tourist locations, Bissau. 

The trustworthiness, capabilities, and responsiveness of security services in Guinea-Bissau are generally poor. In Guinea-Bissau, foreign nationals should not rely on security forces and instead liaise with their diplomatic mission, if possible. Some police officers are typically able to speak Portuguese, although no foreign languages.

The prevalence of violent demonstrations in Guinea-Bissau is moderate. Potentially dangerous protests or endemic civil strife are most common in Bissau, and usually cause significant transportation delays. 

The threat of terrorism is low in Guinea-Bissau. No specific threats exist, and Guinea-Bissau must not currently be considered a potential target; however, authorities remain vigilant due to the growing threats of terrorism in West Africa. No known indigenous or international terrorist groups operate in Guinea-Bissau. 

For most foreign nationals, the threat of kidnapping in Guinea-Bissau is generally low; kidnappers are more likely to target locals. Victims are usually released unharmed but may also face the threat of injury or death during confinement.

Protests occur often in Guinea-Bissau and sometimes devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to labor, economic conditions, social issues, or political developments, such as election campaigns and coups. Protests are most common in Bissau and often take place in the downtown area, typically causing significant transportation delays. Demonstrations frequently turn violent and degenerate into confrontations between rival protesters, or with security forces.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Guinea-Bissau are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Drug trafficking is endemic in Guinea-Bissau.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. 

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