The guarantee can be given by a public establishment, a bank 
or a Belgian civilian or commercial Company, or also by a travel 
agency approved by the Ministry of Colonies or by the Governor 
General if the said travel agency is established in the Congo. 
E. — Currency. 
1 ) Imporf : Travellers may import into the Belgian Congo and 
Ruanda-Urundi money, banknotes and means of payment (cheques, 
letters of credit) of Belgian, Congolese or foreign origin, with no 
restrictions. 
Exchange : Money, banknotes and means of payment imported 
into the Colony may also be freely negotiated. 
Re-export ; insofar as they were imported and declared upon 
entry into the Belgian Congo or Ruanda-Urundi, travellers usually 
residing in Belgium, in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg or abroad " 
may re-export the banknotes and coins in their possession. L 
They may, furthermore, unrestrictedly re-export the means ot ' 
payment (cheques, letters of credit) held by them. f 
2) Travellers usually residing in Belgium or in the Grand Duchy | 
of Luxemburg may carry up to 25,000 Bfrs. in Belgian, Congolese ^ 
or foreign coins and banknotes, together with means of payment 
(cheques or letters of credit) for amounts within the limits autho- 
rised by the Central Bank of the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi 
or by the Belgo-Luxemburg Exchange Office (at the present time 
50,000 Bfrs. in a general way; higher sums are subject to prior 
authorisation by the above-mentioned organisations) . 
CUSTOMS FORMALITIES — REGISTRATION OF TRAVELERS 
REGULATIONS FOR THE ENTRY OF MOTOR-CARS 
A. — Customs. 
Luggage belonging to travelers entering the Belgian Congo Is 
not subject to any licence provided that it corresponds to the actual 
needs of travelers, to their social standing, and to the length of 
the visit they intend to make in the Colony. 
By travelers' luggage is meant : clothes, underclothing and 
toilet articles, even if they are new, and the following articles 
insofar as they show some marks of previous use ; cameras with 
a maximum of 12 frames or 6 roll films for each camera, motion 
picture cameras of a reduced type, sport articles and instruments, 
portable musical instruments, magnifying glasses, portable type- 
writing machines, small camping accessories, portable phonographs 
with a maximum of 20 records which have already been used, 
prams, and, for travelers who are more than 1 6 years old, a quantity 
of tobacco, cigars and cigarettes that does not exceed a total of 
1 kg. 
Are temporarily duty-free at entrance (i.e. with refund of the 
money deposited), for a maximum delay of 6 monts ; samples for 
commercial travelers, unexposed films for motion-picture cameras, 
unused records for recording, goods and articles brought by artists 
for the need of their profession, new clothing and other articles 
imported by people who come to stay temporarily in the Colony. 
The period of validity mentioned above may be extended on 
authorization given by the Customs Director or his deputy, after 
a written application has been made and in fully justified cases. 
Arms and Ammunition. 
Arms which tourists do not want to use should be carefully 
packed. The parcels are to be sealed by the Customs and a special 
notice that this formality has been done is mentioned on the 
transit document. As for arms brought by tourists for hunting, they 
must be duly declared for transit; the money deposited as a gua- 
rantee represents 5/4th of the duties value plus a statistical tax 
of 0,50 fr. per thousand. Customs duties on arms and amm.uni- 
tion come to 30 % ad valorem. 
For licences, see § about Hunting. 
N. B. — Luggage and articles brought by the tourist coming 
into the Belgian Congo with his own car and holding a « triptyque » 
or « carnet de passage en douane », are admitted at entrance 
without any formality or duty, as long as they are mentioned on 
the back of the slips of those documents reserved respectively for 
entrance and exit; the tourist can mention them himself and it is 
not necessary to ask the club that issued the document to do so; 
customs duties will eventually be levied at exit on missing articles. 
The same facility aplies to the owner of a vehicle admitted at 
entrance under cover of a declaration for transit, an entry card or 
a laissez-passer, provided that they are mentioned on the docu- 
ment. 
Clearance. — It takes place ; 
a) by sea route : 
1 ) if the traveller takes ship from Antwerp, at the Colonial 
Customs Office, Antwerp (Dock n^ 212). Hand and cabin luggage 
will be inspected again at the Customs Office in the Congo port of 
entry. 
2) if the traveller takes ship from another port, at the Customs 
Office in the Congo port of entry. 
b) for those using air lines, in the first airfield they land on in 
the Belgian Congo. 
c) As for travelers using other means of transportation, they must 
Clear their luggage through the customs at the customs statior. 
where they enter the Colony. 
B. — Registration. 
Within six days of arrival on the territory of the Belgian Congo 
or of the Ruanda-Urundi, travelers are required to register. Regis- 
tration takes place at the border. The registration card issued upon 
entry must be returned to the registration office of the border 
when leaving the Colony. 
Three passport size and full face photographs are required. 
C. — Motor-cars. 
Automobiles, motor-coaches, motor-cycles and aircraft not being 
used for commercial purposes are not subject to customs duty if 
temporarily brought in v/ith a triptyque or a « carnet de passage 
en douane » issued by a duly approved Tourist Association in the 
country of origin. There are no personal taxes on vehicles circu- 
lating in the Congo for tourists from abroad. 
The vehicles not covered by a triptyque or a carnet de passage 
en douane may enter the Belgian Congo on condition that they 
are declared for transit (document valid for 6 months), with 
deposit of a bond claimable in case of definite importation, in- 
creased with a lump sum for. possible fines, calculater a'^ 25 % 
of the duties. ✓Cu. /!/. •f 
The inhabitants of the colonies on the border of the Belgian 
Congo who wish to visit the Congolese localities can obtain from 
the chief of the local customs office either entrance cards (which 
cost 10 C.fr. ) valid for a fortnight's journey, or a permit (which 
costs 50 C.Frs. and which must be applied for in writing to the 
Receiver at the Customs office in the port of entry. These entry 
cards are valid for a year only and for any number of journeys 
lasting not longer than 1 5 days each. 
The people concerned who have those documents are exempt 
from the deposit of a bond and from all the formalities about 
transit. 
Driving permit. — In accordance with the International Conven- 
tion of Paris of April 24, 1926, an international permit issued in 
Belgium or in any other country, is valid in the Belgian Congo and 
no local permit is needed. 
Except for foreigners holding a transit visa, tourists are required 
to have their registration plate and the distinctive sign of their 
country of origin registred by the Territorial administrator. 
Price of petrol : from 5 to 9 francs a liter, according to the 
area. As a rule, the sale of petrol is unrestricted in the Colony and 
it may be found in all settlements of any importance. 
TRANSPORTATION ENTERPRISES PROVIDING CONNECTIONS WITH THE CONGO 
General notice. 
(1) In view of frequent changes of schedules, travelers, espe- 
cially those using air transportation are advised to inquire in 
advance from some qualified Travel Agency. 
(2) Rates and schedules mentioned are for guidance only, since 
they are subject to fluctuations. For confirmation and more accu- 
rate particulars, apply to the Bureau or to travel agencies. 
The rates listed are those valid on the 1st January 1954. 
(3) In addition to direct lines to the Congo, we have reported 
the services which connect with a harbour or an airport situated 
in a neighbouring colony and provide for a regular connection with 
the Congo. The connection has been indicated. 
MARITIME CONNECTIONS 
N. B. — As a rule, all the ships transport cars of people who 
travel by the same ship; rates are established according to the 
volume. — Make inquiries at the agencies. 
COMPAGNIE MARITIME BELGE, S.A. (C.M.B.) — Managing 
Agents : Agence Maritime Internationale S.A. (A.M.I.), 1, Place 
de Meir, Antwerp (tel. 32.18.90 - 32.19.10 - 33.88.90) 
Agency in Brussels, 41, Cantersteen (tel. 11.72.80) — and 
their agencies in the Belgian Congo (1). 
Antwerp-Congo Line : departure every Tuesday. Length of the 
trip : Antwerp-Lobito, 14 days and Antwerp-Matadi, 15 days — 
departure from Matadi every Sunday. 
A. — Antwerp-Lobito-Matadi service and return, assured by the 
s/s « Leopoldville », « Albertville », « Elisabethville », « Beau- 
douinville » and « Charlesville ». 
Minimum price ; 16.000 Belg.fr. 
B. — Antwerp-Matadi service and return, assured by the s/s 
« Copacabana » and « Mar del Plata ». 
Minimum price : 13.000 Belg.fr. 
Antwerp-Mombasa-Dar es Salaam-Beira Line and return. 
Monthly service by cargo-boats disposing of a limited number of 
passenger accommodation. 
Minimum price Antwerp-Mombasa, according to the category of 
the ship : 8.000 to 1 1 .500 Belg.fr. 
The Compagnie Maritime Beige operates also, jointly with the 
Compagnie Maritime Congolaise, a service between the Belgian 
Congo and the Indies, combined with the Congo-New York, 
New York-Antwerp and Antwerp- Indies Services. 
Detailed information on request from A.M.I. 
COMPAGNIE MARITIME CONGOLAISE S.C.R.L. — COMPAGNIE 
MARITIME BELGE, S.A. — Combined service known under the 
name of « Belgian African Line )>. 
Managing Agents : Agence Maritime Internationale S.A. (A.M.I.) , 
1, Meir, Antwerp (tel. 32.19.10 - 32.18.90 - 33.88.90) — 
Agency in Brussels, 41, Cantersteen (tel. 11.72.80) and their 
agencies in the Belgian Congo ( 1 ) . 
General Agents in U.S.A. ; Atlantic Overseas Corp., 63, Broad 
Street, New York 4, N.Y. 
Congo-Angola-New York service and return — Bi-montly di- 
rect service by cargo-boats arranged for accommodation of a 
limited number of passengers. — Length of the journey ; 1 5 
days. 
Minimum price : $ U.S.A. 425. 
BELGIAN FRUIT LINE. 
Passengers service : Agence Maritime Internationale — 1, Meir, 
Antwerp (tel. 32.18.90 - 32.19.10 - 33.88.90) and 41, Can- 
tersteen, Brussels (tel. 11.72.80). 
Antwerp-Boma or Antwerp-Matadi regular service assured by 
banana-ships. Maximum 8 passengers. 
Minimum Price ; Fes. 12.000. 
BARBER WEST AFRICAN LINE. — General Representative for 
Belgium : Black Diamond Lines S.A., 38 Frankrijklei, Antwerp, 
(tel. 33.88.70). 
Regular service between New York and the ports of Matadi 
and Lobito and return. 
Price for the journey to Matadi ; U.S.A. $ 425 per person and 
to Lobito : $ 450. 
FARRELL LINES Inc. — New York. 
Agent for Belgium : Phs. Van Ommeren S.A., 42, rue St-'Paul, 
Antwerp (tel. 32.79.70 - 33.86.29). 
Service between New York and the ports of the western coast of 
Africa, among which Matadi and Lobito, by cargo-boats with 
accommodation for a limited number of passengers. 
Price for the passage to Matadi or Lobito ; $ U.S.A. 525. 
delta line (Mississippi Shipping C“ Inc.) — New Orleans. 
Agent for Belgium ; MM. P. Van Doosselaere & Cy, 4, Quai Van 
Meteren, Antwerp (tel. 33.87.05). 
Regular service every 3 weeks between New Orleans and the ports 
of the western coast of Africa, among which Boma, Matadi 
Lobito and Pointe-Noire, by cargoboats with accommodation for 
a limited number of passengers. Price to Matadi, per person : 
U.S.A. & 425. 
COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES — Paris ; 12, Bou- 
levard de la Madeleine (9®) — Marseilles : 3, Place Sadi Carnot. 
General agent in Brussels : Office Beige des Compagnies fran- 
caises de Navigation, 29, Boulevard Adolphe Max (tel. 17.21.63 
and 1 8.37.62) . r • i u 
Marseilles-Mombasa-Dar-es-Salaam : Service every fortnight by 
the steamers « Ferdinand de Lesseps », « La Bourdonnais », 
« Pierre Loti », << Jean Laborde )) and Leconte de Lisle )). 
1 ) See « Travel Agencies ». 
The fare Marseilles-Mombasa (or Dar-es-Salaam ) is ; 1st class 
£ 124 minimum; tourist class £ 83 — Harbour taxes in addition. 
HOLLAND-AFRIKA LIJN — Representatives : in Brussels, the 
Agence Maritime Neerlandaise, 45 Cantersteen (tel. 12.14.93 
and 12.53.48); in Antwerp, Phs. Van Ommeren, S.A., 42, rue 
St-Paul (tel. 32.79.70 - 33.86.29) . 
Amsterdam (Southampton ) -Cape Town — Monthly service via 
the West Coast of Africa. Prices according to the class, the 
steamer and the season : £ 59 to £ 153. 
Amsterdam (Southampton) -Mombasa-Dar-es-Salaam via Marseil- 
les, Genoa and Suez — quarterly service, first class only. 
Price from Amsterdam to Mombasa : from £ 91 to £ 173; to 
Dar-es-Salaam from £ 93 to £ 175. 
HOLLAND-WEST AFRIKA LIJN — Representatives : in Brussels, 
the Agence Maritime Neerlandaise, 45, Cantersteen (tel. 
12.14.93 and 12.53.48); in Antwerp, Phs. Van Ommeren S.A., 
42, rue St-Paul (tel. 32.79.70 - 33.86.29). 
Amsterdam- Antwerp- Bordeaux and the harbours of the western 
coast of Africa including Pointe-Noire and Lobito. 
Fare according to class and ship : 
Antwerp-Pointe-Noire from £ 90 to £ 105. 
Antwerp-Lobito from £ 1 00 to £ 115. 
UNION-CASTLE LINE • — 3, Fenchurch Street, London E.C.3 • — 
General Agents for Belgium : John P. Best & (2®, Antwerp 34/35, 
Place Verte. 
Southampton-Cape Town via Madeira and Las Palmas ; weekly 
service. 
London-Cape Town via Las Palmas, Asencion and St. Helena — 
monthly service. 
Prices according to the line, the class and the steamer (except 
staterooms) from £ 56 to £ 144. 
London-Mombasa-Dar-es-Salaam-Beira via Gibraltar, Marseilles, 
Genoa and the Suez-Canal. 
Prices according to the class and the steamer ; 
London-Mombasa from £ 70 to £ 150; London-Dar-es-Salaam 
from £ 72 to £ 153; London-Beira from £ 81 to £ 170. 
LLOYD TRIESTINO. 
General Agent : Compagnia Italiana Turismo — (C.l.T. Belgi- 
que), 2a, rue du Progres, Brussels (tel. 17.67.99). 
Agents for passengers : Agence Maritime Internationale (A.M.I.) , 
1, Meir, Antwerp (tel. 32.18.90 - 32.19.10 - 33.88.90); 41, 
Cantersteen, Brussels (tel. 11.72.80) and their agencies in the 
Belgian Congo; the Travel Agency Joseph Dumoulin, 77, Bou- 
levard Adolphe Max, Brussels (tel. 17.17.85) and their agencies 
in the Belgian Congo ( 1 ) . 
Venice (Trieste) -Mombasa-Dar-es-Salaam-Beira and return. — 
Monthly service by the M/S « Africa » and « Europa » 
Putting in at Port Said, Aden and Mogadiscio. 
Venice-Mombasa : 1st class £ 130 to 198; tourist class £ 73 
to 95. 
Venice-Dar-es-Salaam ; 1st cl. £ 133 to 201; tourist class £ 73 
to 95. 
Venice-Beira : 1st cl. £ 142 to 213; tourist class £ 78 to 101. 
During the « off season » (March, April and May) : reduced 
first-class fares. 
Naples-Mombasa — Monthly service by the steamers « Diana » 
and « Tripolitania » — Calling at Port Said, Massawa, Djibouti, 
Aden and Mogadiscio. 
Price Naples-Mombasa ; cabin class £ 107. 
COMPANHIA COLONIAL DE NAVEGACAO — Lisbon. 
Representative i Societe Generale de Commerce «Geralco)> S.A., 
45, rue des Tanneurs, Antwerp (tel. 33.86.92 - 93). 
Lisbon-Luanda-Lobito — Departure from Lisbon every five 
weeks, on Tuesdays, under supervision of the Portugese Govern- 
ment. Rates Lisbon-Lobito, ( Portuguese tax included) : 1st. cl. spe- 
cial, 9.570 escudos — Lisbon-Luanda : 8.750 escudos. — As 
much as 50 % reduction for children from 3 to 1 1 years of age. 
COMPANHIA NACIONAL DE NAVEGACAO — Lisbon. 
Representative : MM. Eiffe & C°, 43, Longue rue Neuve, Ant- 
werp (tel. 33.99.60). 
Lisbon-Cabinda-Luanda-Lobito — Departure every five weeks 
under supervision of the Portuguese Government. 
Rates-Lisbon-Lobito ; Ist.cl. from 8.1 15 to 1 1.425 escudos; 2nd. 
cl. 6.225 escudos (tax included) . 
DEUTSCHE AFRIKA LINIEN (Woermann-Linie) — 53-55, Pal- 
maille - Hamburg-Altona, Germany. 
Agents in Antwerp ; Wm H. Muller & Co. S.A. 21, Borze- 
straat, Antwerp, (tel. 33.89.20). 
Monthly service between Hamburg, Antwerp, Le Havre and the 
harbours of the western coast of Africa, including Pointe-Noire 
