🇨🇲 Import Customs & Duties: Cameroon
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$0
Duty applies from $0
VAT / Sales Tax
19.25%
CIF value + duty. Includes 19.25% VAT (base 17.5% + additional communal centimes). CEMAC community integration tax of 1% also applies.
Clearance Time
5-10 days express, 14-30 postal days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 5-30% (CEMAC bands: phones 10%, TVs 30%) | 85 |
| Clothing | 30% (CEMAC Category 4) | 61-62 |
| Footwear | 30% | 64 |
| Food products | 5-30% (rice 5%, processed food 30%) | 01-24 |
| Machinery | 5-10% (capital goods 5%) | 84 |
| Cosmetics | 30% (CEMAC Category 4) | 33 |
| Books | 5% | 49 |
| Toys | 20-30% | 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Import Duty Calculator
Customs Clearance Process
Direction Generale des Douanes manages customs. CEMAC common external tariff with 4 bands: 5% (basic necessities), 10% (raw materials/capital goods), 20% (intermediate goods), 30% (consumer goods). ASYCUDA++ system for electronic declarations. Douala is the main port, serving landlocked neighbors (Chad, CAR). Customs broker mandatory. Bilingual documentation (French/English) accepted.
What to Actually Expect
Douala port is the main entry point for Central Africa, also transit hub for Chad and CAR. Congestion and delays frequent. CEMAC 4-band tariff (5/10/20/30%) applies. SGS pre-shipment inspection required. Corruption widely reported, informal payments common at Douala port. Anglophone crisis in Northwest/Southwest regions affects some logistics. Express couriers (DHL, FedEx) available in Douala and Yaounde but expensive.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
Attestation de Verification a l'Importation (AVI) required for goods over XAF 2 million. ANOR (national standards agency) conformity certificates for regulated products. Pharmaceuticals need health ministry authorization. Pre-shipment inspection by SGS mandatory.
Certificate of Origin
CEMAC certificate for regional trade. Chambre de Commerce, d'Industrie, des Mines et de l'Artisanat du Cameroun (CCIMA) issues certificates. EU-Cameroon EPA provides preferential access for EU goods.
Learn more →Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Duty & Tax Estimate
Estimated import charges when shipping goods to Cameroon:
| Goods Value | Duty | VAT/Tax | Total Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $10 | $12 | $22 |
| $100 | $20 | $23 | $43 |
| $200 | $40 | $46 | $86 |
| $500 | $100 | $116 | $216 |
| $1000 | $200 | $231 | $431 |
Estimates only. Actual duties depend on product category and HS code.
Popular routes to Cameroon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Cameroon?
Cameroon has no duty-free threshold. All imported goods are subject to duties regardless of their value.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Cameroon?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Cameroon is 19.25%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. Includes 19.25% VAT (base 17.5% + additional communal centimes). CEMAC community integration tax of 1% also applies.
How long does customs clearance take in Cameroon?
Typical customs clearance in Cameroon takes 5-10 days express, 14-30 postal days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Cameroon?
To import into Cameroon, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Cameroon?
Cameroon prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.