Central African Republic

Central African Republic Customs Contacts

Website: http://www.bureauveritas.com/ 

Address: Government Services & International Trade/ Rue Mobutu (Angle de la rue de la Résistance) Boîte Postale 2553 Bangui 

Tel: + (236) 216 13921

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country situated in Central Africa. The country shares borders with Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and Cameroon. The CAR is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the World Trade Organization. 

Tariffs

Customs tariffs are ad valorem, based on the CEMAC common external tariff. The CEMAC common external tariff is applied on the c.i.f. value of the imported goods. The total sum of the tax is based on customs value plus customs duty (and excise duty where applicable).  

The Central African Republic applies a 19% value added tax. The importer will also have to pay: 

-  1% CEMAC common external tariff (for imports originating outside the CEMAC members)

-  0.4 % Community integration contribution of the ECCAS (for imports originating outside the ECCAS members)

- 0.05 % Organization for the Harmonization of Commercial Law in Africa levy.

Product certification, labelling and packaging

Imported products are subject to the pre-shipment inspection. All full container load (FCL) containers are inspected regardless their value. However, products such as precious stones, precious metals, objects of art, live animals and medicines are exempted fro pre-shipment inspection.

Imports of sugar are subject to quotas and imports of printed fabrics are restricted.

There are no specific labelling requirements. However, the expiry date, the number or the batch and integrity of the packing are required for paints, insecticides, chemical treatments and complex chemicals.

Documents for import/export

• Bill of lading
• Certificate of origin
• Commercial invoice
• Export Declaration
• Export license
• Insurance
• Packing list
• Transit document

Sources:

https://www.cma-cgm.com/static/eCommerce/Attachments/CAR%20111115.pdf

http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/OverSeasNew.nsf/alldata/Central%20African%20Republic