Moving to Cameroon

Country Guide

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