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 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 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 at 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.

Helpful Website(s):

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/cameroon.html

https://www.usembassy.gov/cameroon/