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FAQ

1. What does importation into Cameroon mean?

Simply put, it means bringing goods into Cameroon from any country outside of the CEMAC Sub-Region (Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo) for personal or commercial reasons.

Forgoods worthoverone millionCFA francs (including those subject to pre-shipmentinspection), the importer must apply foran import declarationwith thepre-shipment company known as SociétéGénérale de Surveillance (SGS). This application must beaccompanied by a copyofthe pro forma invoice, purchase order, telex confirmationorany equivalentdocument containingtheFOBvalue of the goods. The original andfourcopiesof the importstatement issuedby SGSarereleased to the importerorfreight forwarder,andinspection ordersare given bySGSregardingthe goods in question.After the inspection,an internalreport is sent tothe SGSliaisonofficein Cameroon for the issuance ofanImportVerification Certificate, better known as “Avis de Vérificationàl’Importation”(AVI). Imports ofless than 1millionor those that are exempt fromPSI (Pre-shipment inspection)aretreated directlyaccording to normalcustomsclearance procedures.


2. Where can imported goods to Cameroon be conveyedto?

Goods may be imported or landed only at a place approved by Cameroon Customs and in the presence, or with the authority, of the proper Customs Officer. Goods landed contrary to this are liable to penalty. All goods, which arrive at an approved place, must be presented to Cameroon Customs within 24 hours (Sundays and Public Holidays excluded).

3. What is an approved place?

The following places are approved in Cameroon:

– for goods imported by sea, an approved wharf – in practice, any of the ports with a Customs House;

– for goods imported by air, an approved Customs airport. The only approved Customs airports in Cameroon are Douala, Yaoundé,Garoua;

– and for goods that areimported by land frontier, an approved premises such as the transit shed of a Customs Brigade.


4. Are there any goods that are Prohibited or Restricted?

Certain goods such as drugs, indecent or obscene material, arms, ammunitions and counterfeit goods are prohibited from being brought into the country under any circumstances. Their attempted importation will result in confiscation. Certain other goods may only be imported with a license issued by the appropriate authorities e.g. meat or meat products require a permit from the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheriesand Animal Industries

5. How do I declare my goods to Customs?

Goods imported into the Cameroon must be declared to the Customs electronically through the SYDONIA facility. This system allows importers or their agents to clear consignments at import by electronic data transfer of their customs declarations to Customs, without the necessity to lodge a subsequent paper declaration. The other accompanying papers (invoice, bill of lading, etc.) are submitted manually.

6. How is the Cameroon Customs Tariff organized?

TheCameroon Customs Tariffis based onthe nomenclatureof the Harmonized SystemofDesignation andCodificationofGoods, known simply as the Harmonized System (HS). Itiscompulsorilyapplicablein all the CEMAC MemberStates,for the establishment ofcustoms import andexport tariffsandfor the preparation andpublication of trade statistics.

All the CEMAC countries have a tariff structure with a common external import duty rate, according to the following four categories:

–          Cat I : 5% applicable to essential goods;

–          Cat II : 10% applicable to raw materials andcapital goods;

–          Cat III : 20% applicable to intermediate goods; and

–          Cat IV: 30% onconsumer goods.

A 0% import duty rate isapplicablemainly to certainpharmaceutical goods, books and brochures,and aviation-relatedproducts.

The Cameroon Customs Tariff contains 6121 positions in which an import/export item can be classified in one of these categories.


7. Can you appeal a decision taken against you by Cameroon Customs?

Yes you can.Importers may appeal decisions of the Customs Administration. Two types of remedies are available: ordinary appeals that are addressed to the Director General of Customs; and appeals in relation to disputes over the type, origin, value, quantity, or weight of import/export goods, to the Chairman of the Appeal Committee in the Customs Headquarters. To enter the Appeals Committee you must first have exhausted all avenues at the levels of hierarchy where your customs declaration was treated. To this end, each Head of Unit seized has three days to express its opinion. All Appeals to this Committee must be made by the relevant Customs Clearing Agent or its representative (the importer/exporter) who is required to personally attend the hearing during which the case is reviewed. Committee meetings are held at least once amonth.

8. Are there items that can be imported duty-free

Yes, the following items are exempted from import duty, if they are:

–          GiftstoStates, Heads ofStates/Governments

–          Imports destined for Diplomatic Missions, ConsularPosts and International Organizations, Members of thestaff of embassies andconsulates and Staffof international organizations.

–          Household goodsimported becauseof changeof residence.

–          Inherited used items.

–          Students’ items andwedding gifts.

–          Shipmentsdestinedfornational solidarity work.

–          Products anditemsforthe celebrationof worship.

–          Materials andproductsused in international airnavigation.


9. What are personal effects and can they be imported duty-free ?

Day-to-day items and articles of personal use belonging either to
foreigners who are establishing a home in a State of the CEMAC region or to CEMAC nationals returning home for good, can be imported free of duties and taxes.
This exemption applies to all items in use (belongings, linen, dishes, furniture, etc.), provided that these objects:
1. Reflect the social position of owner
2. Are theirs since the last six months
3. Are intended for their personal use


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