Can I take plastic bags to Africa?
Kenya joins over 40 countries to have made plastic bags (including duty-free bags) illegal, with a ban imposed in 2017. Africa has been leading the global war on plastics, and to date many of southern and eastern African countries have banned plastic bags.
Can I take plastic bags to Kenya?
No. The law bans the use, manufacture and importation of all single-use plastic bags into the country. Travellers coming into Kenya with duty-free plastic shop bags will be required to leave them at the airport although the government has confirmed that re-usable ziplock bags continue to be allowed.
Can I take single use plastics to Kenya’s National Parks?
No. With effect from 5th June 2020, the use of single use plastics in all of Kenya’s protected areas will be banned. Visitors to National Parks, conservation areas, forests and beaches will be prohibited from using disposable plates, cups, cutlery, straws and plastic plates. #PlasticFreeParks
Litter can harm wildlife, please don’t take single use plastics into National Parks credit @kenyawildlifeservice
Can I use plastic bags for in shopping Kenya?
No. If you go to a Kenyan shop you need to take your own fabric bag or receive your goods in a paper bag. Fabric bags can be bought inexpensively at Kenyan supermarkets for around 10 Kenyan shillings (10 US cents or 7 UK pence).
Can I take plastic bags to Tanzania?
No. From 1 June 2019, Tanzania will enforce a ban on plastic bags (this applies to all plastic bags including anything purchased in airport or duty free bags).
“Plastics carrier items known as “ziploc bags” that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed in the country” – January Makamba, Minister responsible for the Environment and the Union of Tanzania.
Can I take plastic bags to Botswana?
While the government confirmed that re-usable zip lock bags continue to be allowed, the use of other plastic bags was banned in November 2018. Signs at Maun International Airport warn visitors that plastic bags will be confiscated. Any duty-free bags will be taken away and replaced with either a paper or canvas bag.
Can I take plastic bags to Uganda?
Uganda banned the use of plastic bags in 2018 and visitors may not bring plastic bags into the country. This includes airport duty free bags, which you will be asked to dispose of at the airport on arrival. Any duty-free bags will be taken away and replaced with either a paper or canvas bag.
Can I take plastic bags to Rwanda?
Rwanda banned non-biodegradable polythene bags in 2008. This includes plastic zip lock bags and duty-free bags. Signs at Kigali International Airport warn visitors that plastic bags will be confiscated. Any duty-free bags will be taken away and replaced with either a paper or canvas bag
Can I take plastic bags to Namibia?
Namibia, whilst not having put a complete ban on plastic bags, has banned all plastic bags from entering national parks and reserves.
Can I take plastic bags to the Seychelles?
The Seychelles banned single use plastics in 2017.
Has banning plastic bags made a difference to Africa?
Rwanda is noticeably cleaner and Kigali has been declared by UN Habitat as Africa’s cleanest city. The lack of plastic bags littering the streets is visible not just in Kigali’s city streets but in the countryside too. Rwanda is looking to ban other types of plastic and is even hinting at the possibility of becoming the world’s first plastic free nation. Its constitution recognises that “every citizen is entitled to a healthy and satisfying environment.”
Packing tips for a plastic free safari
Use an electric or stainless-steel razor instead of a disposable razor. Switch to paper or bamboo ear buds. Remove any plastic packaging from new items. This will save on weight and reduce the amount of bulk. Opt for no straw or paper straws in your cocktails and juices. Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying water in plastic bottles. Many camps bottle their own fresh water and give guests a refillable water bottle rather than shipping in water.
Refillable guest water bottles, Elewana Collection
You can empty it and take it through airport security to refill on the other side. Carry a backpack or large bag for buying souvenirs. Take an eco-friendly, biodegradable toothbrush.
Packing tips for travelling with children without plastics
Make sure sweets don’t have wrappers that will end up as litter somewhere. Dried fruit takes up less space than fresh, with less peel and cores to dispose of. Nuts take up much less space than crisps and therefore less packaging. Use rechargeable batteries or at least take them home with you for recycling.
Are you sure about ziploc bags still being allowed in Kenya? My mom and I are going to Kenya in a month with travel to dive the Red Sea beforehand and it would make travelling so much easier. Is there anybody in the government that I can email to confirm this?
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your query, the aim of Kenya’s plastic bag ban was to rid the country of the scourge of single use plastic bags. Ziploc bags aren’t single use and weren’t the sort of bags that ended up blowing round the streets or creating the infamous plastic bag trees. You will have no problem using them. Best Regards Richard Smith
Can we take zip lock plastic bags for personal toiletries in our luggage to Uganda in September, 2019?
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for your query, the aim of Uganda’s plastic bag ban was to rid the country of the scourge of single use plastic bags. Ziploc bags aren’t single use and weren’t the sort of bags that ended up blowing round the streets or creating the infamous plastic bag trees. You will have no problem using them. Best Regards Richard Smith
Can I use zip loc bags in Botswana October 2020? Has anyone crossed the border, via air or car/bus and had a problem? I’ve been told you can be heavily fined, but can’t find info on whether this includes zip locs. Thanks.
Dear Carol, the government confirmed that re-usable zip loc bags continue to be allowed, Best regards Renate
Re Kenya plastic bag ban, what about the bags that UK airports insist on for carrying 100ml liquids or less inside the aircraft cabin?
Dear Diane,
It’s a supermarket carrier bags they are really looking to avoid, as Kenya had a huge litter problem and much of this was plastic supermarket bags. The clear plastic bags for toiletries are fine to take as they are not the single use bags the Kenyans are aiming their legislation at. Best regards Richard Smith
Hi, I was wondering if
biodegradable (composteble) bags are allowed to be taken into Kenya please?
Hi Linda, I think if you choose to take them in your luggage you’ll have little problem getting them into the country. The aim of the policy is to prevent littering on a large scale and not to completely prevent the use of plastics.
Hi- I am leaving for Rwanda in a few days. I like to use vacuum seal storage bags for packing so that I can pack more and take-up less space. Will I be able to bring vacuum seal storage bags into Rwanda or will they get confiscated?
Thanks for the question. The ban in some countries is to try and prevent the use and abuse of single use plastic bags. The type of bag you’re describing is very unlikely to be a problem
Question: Are plastic sleeves in a 3 ring binder ok? We’re organizing all our travel documents this way.
Thanks for your question. I cannot be sure, but I would expect so. The idea of the ban was to reduce the amount of single use plastic thrown away. As the items you’re planning to take are for long term use, they don’t fall under the reason for the ban. Enjoy your trip
Hello, Are reusable ziplock style bags allowed in Zambia? We’re transporting school supplies and many are in reusable bags at the moment. Thanks.
Thanks for your question. I cannot be sure, but I would expect so. The idea of the ban was to reduce the amount of single use plastic thrown away. As the items you’re planning to take are for long term use, they don’t fall under the reason for the ban. Enjoy your trip
I know you keep sating “single use” bags but since I’ve read about the stiff fines and jail time, are PEVA bags okay in Kenya and Tanzania? Thank you
Lisa, thanks for the question. I’m afraid I cannot be certain since I didn’t write the laws for either country. However, I’ve seen them in action for our clients travelling to Kenya and Tanzania and noone has had an issue with things like using zip-lock bags for medicines or make up or plastic file holders for their travel paperwork. In the worst cases bags containing duty free drinks have been confiscated – the bags, not the drinks.
Are nutrician bars protein bars snacks allowed in Kenya if the travel takes the wrapper home?
Hi Rose, thanks for your question. The aim of the policy is to stop lots of single use plastic bags being used. It won’t prevent you taking protein bars to Kenya. Enjoy your trip.
Can we take Chips and chocolates as they also have plastic wrappers.
Hi Vansh, thanks for your question. The aim of the policy is to stop lots of single use plastic bags being used. It won’t prevent you taking snacks to Kenya. Enjoy your trip.