Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo are the countries that border the Central African Republic, which is a country in Central Africa. Cameroon has a population of 24 million people and a $34 billion GDP.
China and France are Cameroon’s top import and export partners. Both a timber industry and a petroleum reserve exist in Cameroon. Additionally, the nation specializes in the production of cocoa beans and other cocoa-related goods. It brings in a variety of goods.
Following the 2013 visit of Cameroonian President Paul Biya to Turkey, the bilateral trade and diplomatic ties between Cameroon and Turkey grew. Since then, numerous agreements for cooperation have been inked, and efforts have been made to forge a stronger alliance.
Turkish exports to Cameroon rose sharply from $32 million to $97 million over the past ten years.
Customs duties
Customs duties are assessed based on the customs value and can range from 5% to 30%, depending on the type of imported products. Electronically purchased goods that are imported into Cameroon must adhere to the regulations of customs charges and taxes. Regardless of the method of entry into Cameroon, software, royalties, use rights, licenses, and updates are subject to customs clearance under the terms and conditions prescribed by law. On some goods, like rice and cement, the Common External Tariff (CET) tariff has been reinstated.
As a result, several types of cement now have higher CET rates, and the import of rice, which previously benefited from the suspension of duties and taxes, is now subject to the CET at a rate of 5%. On January 1st, 2018, Cameroon implemented the Preferential Tariff (PT) of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). As of this date, Cameroonian products exported to nations inside the ECCAS are duty-free. Products from such nations are exempt from customs duty at all levels.
Customs and other import duties (current LCU) in Cameroon were reported as 369464997539 LCU in 2018, according to the World Bank’s collection of development indicators, which is derived from officially recognized sources. Actual values, historical data, forecasts, and estimates for Cameroon’s customs and other import charges (current LCU) were obtained from the World Bank in September 2022.
Customs and other import levies are all taxes taken on imports of goods or from nonresidents who provide services to citizens. They consist of levies set up on an ad valorem or specified basis for income or protection as long as they are limited to imported products or services.
Requirements
Before the manifest is validated, the importer or his/her representative must request an Attestation of Verification to Import (AVI) from SGS, the Swiss corporation in charge of inspection at the ports. The following papers and data are attached to this demand:
- A copy of the Interpretative Document.
- A bill of lading or airway bill.
- A packing list, a freight invoice.
- A local insurance certificate.
- A customs clearance number, a voucher, or other proof of a potential exemption.
- A phytosanitary certificate, or other necessary technical service documents.
The importer is then given a final AVI by SGS, consisting of an original and two copies, within a maximum time frame of 8 hours. Without first delivering a provisional AVI, the distribution of the final AVI takes place straight. A grey, blue, and yellow copy of the declaration is given to the user by the inspector upon verification. Without any tax or other declared element disputes, these verifications are completed in a maximum of 6 hours.
The importer submits these documents to SGS, which secures the blue copy by adding a security sticker and a dry stamp and sending it to the bank for deposit. SGS must at least send the documents mentioned above to all of the relevant banks.
Rates of customs tax
Rates of customs tax are applied based on the kind of imported good:
- Category I, 0% of primary necessities.
- Goods made of raw materials and equipment: category II, 10%.
- Intermediary and other products: category III, 20%.
- Quickly depreciating consumer goods: category IV, 30%.
