Sub Saharan Africa

Drug smuggling is a serious offence. Punishments can be severe.  Trafficking carries life sentences (i.e. up to 45 years).  Prosecutions take a year or more to come to court, with detention the norm up until the trial.  Bail is not usually granted for drug-related crimes, regardless of the type of drug.  For example, the importation of 15 grams of cannabis could attract a one-year custodial sentence and a fine of 100,000 Mauritian rupees.  It is also illegal to possess or import cigarette papers.

You may carry common medicinal drugs for your own personal use but you must carry copies of valid medical prescriptions and the drugs must have been obtained legally from a pharmacy.  Scheduled drugs, such as psychotropic preparations (e.g. tranquillisers, hypnotics), narcotics (e.g. morphine) and other strong pain killers require, by law, authorisation before import.  Failure to obtain prior authorisation may result in arrest.  

If in any doubt, you should seek advice from the Mauritius High Commission in London.  Requests for special authorisation and import permits are usually processed in 24-48 hours if all supportive documents are submitted with the application. The basic information required is the name and address of the applicant, photocopy of the personal details page of the applicant’s passport, flight details, address in Mauritius, length of stay, description and quantities of drugs to be carried.

Requests to carry medicines used for drug rehabilitation treatment (e.g. methadone) should be submitted well in advance as they may require security clearance.  In all cases the quantities of drugs carried must be compatible with the duration of stay.

The police sometimes ask foreigners to show identification.  You should carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and driving licence and leave the original in a safe place.

Homosexuality is illegal in Mauritius.

For more genral advice for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.