African countries have some surprisingly specific laws governing what people can import, sell, use or carry. Some restrictions target environmental damage, while others deal with public health, counterfeit goods, biosecurity or customs control.
For this list, “banned” refers to items that are expressly prohibited by a country's law, regulation or official customs rules. The rules are not necessarily identical across the continent, and some apply specifically to imports rather than ordinary possession or use.
Here are 30 examples documented by government authorities as of 2026.
1. Plastic carrier bags in Kenya
Kenya prohibits the use, manufacture and importation of plastic carrier bags for household and commercial packaging. The ban took effect in 2017 and remains enforced by the National Environment Management Authority.
2. Thin plastic packaging in Kenya
Plastic articles below 30 microns used for conveying or packaging goods are listed among Kenya's prohibited imports under customs rules.
3. Worn underwear imported into Kenya
Kenya's customs authorities specifically list worn underwear garments of any type among prohibited imports.
4. Shisha and shisha flavours in Kenya
Kenya Customs lists shisha and shisha flavours among prohibited imports.
5. Skin-lightening creams in Kenya
Certain skin-lightening or skin-whitening creams are included on Kenya's prohibited-import list maintained by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
6. Toy guns imported into Kenya
Toy guns appear on Kenya's official list of prohibited imports.
7. Used tyres for certain vehicles in Kenya
Used tyres for light commercial vehicles are prohibited imports under Kenya's customs rules.
8. Counterfeit goods in Kenya
Kenya prohibits the importation of counterfeit goods of all kinds under the customs rules cited by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
9. Plastic carry bags in Rwanda
Rwanda prohibits the manufacture, importation, use and sale of plastic carry bags under its environmental legislation.
10. Plastic straws in Rwanda
Rwanda's single-use plastics law covers plastic straws as prohibited single-use plastic items.
11. Single-use plastic cups in Rwanda
Single-use plastic cups are among the items covered by Rwanda's prohibition on single-use plastics.
12. Single-use plastic plates in Rwanda
The same Rwandan rules include single-use plastic plates among prohibited plastic items.
13. Plastic forks, spoons and knives in Rwanda
Disposable plastic cutlery, including forks, spoons and knives, is specifically identified in Rwanda's single-use plastic restrictions.
14. Plastic balloons in Rwanda
Plastic balloons are also listed among the single-use plastic products prohibited under Rwanda's environmental rules.
15. Plastic food wrappers in Rwanda
Plastic food wrappers and certain single-use containers are covered by Rwanda's prohibition on single-use plastics.
16. Plastic carrier bags in Mainland Tanzania
Since June 2019, Tanzania has prohibited the importation, exportation, manufacture, sale, storage, supply and use of plastic carrier bags in Mainland Tanzania, subject to specified exemptions.
17. Plastic bottle-cap seals in Tanzania
Tanzania's environmental regulations prohibit the import, manufacture, sale and distribution of beverages with plastic bottle-cap seals.
18. Certain plastic-wrapped commodities in Tanzania
Tanzanian regulations prohibit the sale of beverages or commodities wrapped in plastic where the nature of the commodity does not require plastic wrapping.
19. Thin plastic bags and sheets in Malawi
Malawi prohibits the importation, manufacture, trade and commercial distribution of plastic bags and sheets made from plastic film thinner than 60 micrometres, subject to listed exemptions.
20. Very thin non-biodegradable plastic bags in Ethiopia
Ethiopian environmental rules prohibit permits for manufacturing or importing non-biodegradable plastic bags with a wall thickness of 0.03 millimetres or less, with specified exceptions.
21. Used tyres imported for disposal in Ethiopia
Ethiopian environmental regulations prohibit the importation of used tyres into the country for disposal.
22. Soil imported into Mauritius
Mauritius classifies soil as a prohibited article for import because of the country's plant-health and biosecurity controls.
23. Manure and compost imported into Mauritius
Manure and compost are also listed among prohibited agricultural articles in Mauritius.
24. Grass and wheat seeds in Mauritius
Grass seeds and wheat seeds are included on Mauritius' list of agricultural articles that are not authorized for import.
25. Bananas imported into Mauritius
Banana species, including fresh fruit and planting material, are listed as prohibited articles by Mauritius' National Plant Protection Office.
26. Fresh ginger rhizomes in Mauritius
Fresh ginger rhizomes are another agricultural product specifically prohibited from importation into Mauritius.
27. Root vegetables imported into Mauritius
Root vegetables appear on Mauritius' official list of prohibited plant-related imports.
28. Raw coffee brought overland into Ghana
Ghana's customs authority lists raw coffee imported overland or by inland waterways among its absolute import prohibitions.
29. Diseased animals and carcasses in Ghana
Ghana prohibits the importation of animals or animal carcasses infected with diseases covered by its animal-health legislation.
30. Second-hand clothing imported into Nigeria
Nigeria's current customs tariff schedules list second-hand clothing among goods whose importation is absolutely prohibited.
Why These Bans Exist
The reasons behind these restrictions vary considerably. Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi and Ethiopia have several rules aimed at controlling plastic pollution. Mauritius uses strict plant-quarantine controls to prevent pests and diseases from entering its agricultural system. Ghana and Nigeria have customs rules governing particular categories of imports, while Kenya also uses prohibited-import rules covering counterfeit products and specific consumer goods.
The important point is that a product being ordinary or legal in one African country does not automatically mean it can be imported into another. Several of these restrictions are also narrower than a simple nationwide ban, applying specifically to imports, particular types of packaging or certain circumstances.
As laws and regulations can change, the relevant country's customs, environment or agricultural authority remains the authoritative source for the current position.
