diff --git a/examples/python/CMakeLists.txt b/examples/python/CMakeLists.txt
index 9585d5169..1ac352207 100644
--- a/examples/python/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/examples/python/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ endforeach()
 #################################################
 list( APPEND tests_basic
    grib_set_pv
+   bufr_read_sample
 )
 list( APPEND tests_extra
    grib_clone
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ list( APPEND tests_extra
    bufr_read_header
    bufr_read_scatterometer
    bufr_read_tropical_cyclone
-   bufr_read_synop 
+   bufr_read_synop
    bufr_read_temp
    bufr_set_keys
    bufr_subset
diff --git a/examples/python/bufr_read_sample.py b/examples/python/bufr_read_sample.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f754254e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/python/bufr_read_sample.py
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+# Copyright 2005-2018 ECMWF.
+#
+# This software is licensed under the terms of the Apache Licence Version 2.0
+# which can be obtained at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.
+#
+# In applying this licence, ECMWF does not waive the privileges and immunities
+# granted to it by virtue of its status as an intergovernmental organisation
+# nor does it submit to any jurisdiction.
+
+#
+# Python implementation: bufr_read_sample
+#
+# Description: how to read data values from a BUFR sample message.
+#
+
+from __future__ import print_function
+import traceback
+import sys
+
+from eccodes import *
+
+VERBOSE = 1  # verbose error reporting
+
+
+def example(INPUT):
+    # open bufr file
+    f = open(INPUT)
+
+    # These keys should be in the sample files
+    keys = [
+        'blockNumber',
+        'stationNumber',
+        'latitude',
+        'longitude',
+        '24HourPressureChange',
+        'horizontalVisibility',
+        '#1#cloudAmount',  # cloud amount (low and mid level)
+        '#1#heightOfBaseOfCloud',
+        '#1#cloudType',  # cloud type (low clouds)
+        '#2#cloudType',  # cloud type (middle clouds)
+        '#3#cloudType'  # cloud type (highclouds)
+    ]
+
+    cnt = 0
+
+    # Loop for the messages in the file
+    while 1:
+        bufr = codes_bufr_new_from_file(f)
+        if bufr is None:
+            break
+
+        print("message: %s" % cnt)
+
+        codes_set(bufr, 'unpack', 1)
+
+        for key in keys:
+            print('  %s: %s' % (key, codes_get(bufr, key)))
+
+        cnt += 1
+
+        codes_release(bufr)
+
+    f.close()
+
+
+def main():
+    try:
+        example(sys.argv[1])
+    except CodesInternalError as err:
+        if VERBOSE:
+            traceback.print_exc(file=sys.stderr)
+        else:
+            sys.stderr.write(err.msg + '\n')
+
+        return 1
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(main())
diff --git a/examples/python/bufr_read_sample.sh b/examples/python/bufr_read_sample.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..706c60df1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/python/bufr_read_sample.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# Copyright 2005-2018 ECMWF.
+#
+# This software is licensed under the terms of the Apache Licence Version 2.0
+# which can be obtained at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.
+# 
+# In applying this licence, ECMWF does not waive the privileges and immunities granted to it by
+# virtue of its status as an intergovernmental organisation nor does it submit to any jurisdiction.
+#
+
+. ./include.sh
+
+
+# Define a common label for all the tmp files
+label="bufr_read_sample_test_p"
+
+# Define tmp file
+fTmp=${label}".tmp.txt"
+
+REDIRECT=/dev/null
+
+$PYTHON $examples_src/bufr_read_sample.py ${ECCODES_SAMPLES_PATH}/BUFR3.tmpl 2> $REDIRECT
+$PYTHON $examples_src/bufr_read_sample.py ${ECCODES_SAMPLES_PATH}/BUFR4.tmpl 2> $REDIRECT
+
+# Clean up
+rm -f $fTmp