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Sub Saharan Africa
Madagascar |
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| Still current at: 25 November 2009
Updated: 11 September 2009 |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and the Political Situation section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
Local laws and customs
In some parts of Madagascar aspects of daily life are regulated by taboos, known as fady. These vary from one region to another. Fady can range from forbidden foods to restrictions in clothing. Some areas subject to fady may be forbidden to foreigners, but these are mainly in remote parts of the country. If you intend to visit remote areas, you should seek prior advice either locally or from your tour operator and respect local fady wherever possible to avoid causing offence.
Drug smuggling is a serious offence. Punishments can be severe.
Homosexuality is not illegal.
The Malagasy Authorities have recently introduced laws against consorting with female prostitutes. The campaign against sexual abuse of under age children (18 years) is strictly enforced with particular regard to foreign tourists.
You should carry some form of identification with you at all time. The police can and do stop vehicles and pedestrians to check papers, particularly late at night.
The import and export of foodstuffs (including fruit), protected plants and animals is illegal.
Non-residents may take up to 1 kilogram of precious and semi-precious stones out of the country provided proper receipts are produced; residents are restricted to taking 250 grams out of Madagascar.
You may only take out 100 grams of vanilla.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.
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Contacts
Address:
British High Commission
Les Cascades Building
Edith Cavell Street
Port Louis
PO Box 1063
Telephone:
(230) 202 9400
(230) 252 8006 Duty Officer (in case of genuine emergency out of office hours)
Fax:
(230) 202 9408
(230) 202 9407 Consular/Visa
Email: bhc@intnet.mu
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0345-1145
Fri: 0345-0930
Local Time : GMT + 4 (Mauritius is normally 1 hour ahead of Comoros, but since the introduction of daylight saving time in Mauritius, there is 2 hours of a difference from November to March).
Out of hours, the Mauritius High Commission will give contact number.
Website: http://ukinmauritius.fco.gov.uk/en
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