Since 1994, Cameroon has been working under the Central African Customs Union's regional program. This program includes a customs code and an amendment to the investment code. The customs code removes the majority of quantitative limitations on international trade and simplifies customs procedures.
Licensing of Imported Goods
Cameroon's import licensing procedures were simplified. Currently, importer is only required to have an "agreement" that serves as a two-year, renewable license for importation and covers any imported product. Specific import permits are granted to individuals, who import products, intended for personal use. Such licenses help to identify the importers of certain items. Suppliers that import equipment and supplies, related to public contracts, can get a duty exemption from the Ministry of Finance and Budget. CEMAC didn't create a regional licensing system.
Prohibited Imports: a number of sanitary goods, chemicals, toxic waste, certain cosmetics, and some food products.
Documentation: commercial invoice (3 copies are necessary for surface shipments and 4 copies are necessary for air shipments), bill of lading, "agreement" and (or) exemption, if appropriate. Documentation of bank transactions is required if the value of the imported products transcends CFA francs 2,000,000 (about $3,600). This is also actual for pre-shipment inspection certificates that require a "clean report of findings" from SGS.
For some import goods, such as secondhand, certificates of non-infestation are also required. Authorities have also introduced a new service fee for import of old automobiles.
A one-stop shop for customs procedures opened in December 2000. All necessary documents have to be submitted in 48 hours of a shipment's arrival. This introduction has diminished import formalities from 26 days to 15 days.
Import Duties
The rates of import duties differ in the categories of products: essential goods are imposed by 5 % duty, raw materials and capital products – by 10% and intermediary and miscellaneous products – 20 %, and current consumption goods are imposed with 30 % duty.
These rates are calculated proceeding from prices in the country of origin, plus costs and fees incurred until they arrive in port.
The general rate for the VAT is 19.25% with additional tax. The zero rate applies to operations carried out by free zones and free industrial bodies.
Labeling
Labels must be written both in French and English, and have to contain the country of origin and the name and address of the producer. Additionally, the product name, weight, and all components have to be indicated on the label. The country of origin and shelf life should be in either French or English. For canned products, it is required that the production and the expiration dates be engraved or stamped on top of the package in indelible ink. Cigarettes imported to Cameroon have to be pre-labeled with health hazard warnings (required by the Cameroonian Health and Commerce Ministries). SGS can check the quality of any items shipped into the country. Ifthere are no specified domestic norm or standard, international norms and standards apply. | 
