Country Guide: Cameroon
Due to the current coronavirus/COVID-19 situation and restrictions in various countries, the below information may not be accurate. This pandemic is a fluid situation. Check with authorities for local laws and restrictions concerning movements.
Updated: May 23, 2017
Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Packing list
- Original bill of lading (OBL) – no express release/air waybill (AWB)
- Original valued inventory in French, dated, and signed by the owner of the goods
- Purchase invoice for all electrical items less than 6 months old
- Certificate of change of residence
- Bordereau Electronique de Suivi de Cargaison (BESC) / Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN)
- Exemption of duty and taxes (diplomats)
Specific Information
- All documents must be provided to the destination agent 4 weeks before the arrival of the shipment to obtain duty free clearance.
- If Bordereau Electronique de Suivi de Cargaison (BESC) / Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) is not completed prior to departure, a fine of 200 Euro will apply.
- Customs clearance for a full container load (FCL) is approximately 7-11 days.
- All items less than 6 months are dutiable at 64-71% CIF.
- There is a statistics levy by Customs of 11% for all non-diplomatic shipments.
- There is a statistics levy by Customs of 0.7% on all diplomatic shipments.
- Customs inspections fees:
- Approximately 210 Euro / 20’ container
- Approximately 320 Euro / 40’ container
- Mandatory local insurance (1% of the value of the goods).
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Original registration card
- Original purchase invoice
- OBL / AWB
Specific Information
- The vehicle must be identified on the packing list.
- The taxes on vehicles will depend on age, power, etc. at approximately 60% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF).
- The Customs administration will assess the value in most cases.
- The OBL must show the VIN number, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, brand, and model of the vehicle.
- Customs clearance takes approximately 2 weeks and may take longer if the vehicle is shipped with household goods.
Pets
Documents Required
- Vaccination record
- Veterinary health certificate
Specific Information
- Documentation must be received by the destination agent prior to import.
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- New items
- Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco
- Perfume
- Currency
- Engines
- Cars, planes, boats, motorcycles
- Televisions containing cathode ray tubes (only flat-screen televisions are permitted)
- Food items, including wines and oils
Prohibited Items
- Drugs
- Firearms and ammunition (authorization from the territorial administration required)
- Counterfeit goods
- Pornographic content or materials
- Ivory, ostrich egg, turtle shell, corals, shell, stuffed animal, animal skin
IAM Note: Taxes, fines, or additional port and demurrage charges may be incurred for violations.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air/sea shipments.
Cultural and Other Information
CIA World Factbook Entry for Cameroon
Wikipedia Entry for Cameroon
