🇨🇲 How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Cameroon?
Combined import taxes in Cameroon run about 57%–63% of a vehicle's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $5,700–$6,300 in duties and taxes — before ocean freight and local clearance. Below is the full 2026 breakdown, then a free calculator for your exact car.
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Key import facts for Cameroon
- Combined import taxes (petrol/diesel): ~57%–63% of CIF
- Electric vehicles: ~57%–63% of CIF
- Maximum vehicle age: no hard limit, but escalating over-age penalties
- Used-car imports: allowed (within the age rule)
- Driving side: left-hand drive (LHD)
- Local currency: XAF
Ocean freight to Cameroon
| Destination port | RoRo (1 car ≈ 12.5 CBM) | 40HQ container (2–3 cars) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douala | $1,500–$1,750 | $3,500–$3,950 | 38–45 days |
RoRo cost shown for a midsize car (~12.5 CBM). A 40-foot high-cube container is shared across multiple cars. Figures marked * are estimates — confirm live rates with your forwarder.
Before you buy: entry rules for Cameroon
These decide whether a vehicle can enter at all. Getting them wrong costs a container, not a margin.
- Age limit: no hard cap — counted from the year of manufacture
- Pre-shipment inspection: PECAE (ANOR) — Pre-Shipment Evaluation of Conformity against Cameroonian standards.
Worked example: a $10,000 car, step by step
Every figure below is derived, not asserted — this is the same arithmetic our calculator runs. Base: $10,000 CIF (vehicle + freight + insurance at the destination port), a mid-size petrol car, new.
| Line | Rate | Charged on | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 30% | CIF | $3,000 |
| VAT | 19.3% | CIF + duty + excise | $2,503 |
| Para-fiscal levies | 5% | CIF — statistical, community and shipper-council levies | $498 |
| Duties and taxes | 60% | of CIF | $6,000 |
| Terminal charges | — | per 40HQ | $800 |
| Customs broker | — | per entry | $400 |
| Landed cost | — | CIF + taxes + port + clearance | $17,200 |
Excludes inland delivery, registration and any age-penalty tax. An older vehicle pays the age penalty on top — see the age table above. Change the vehicle, engine size or year in the calculator to re-derive this for your own unit.
Port charges and clearance in Cameroon
On top of duties and taxes you pay the terminal and your broker. These are not part of the tax figures above.
| Charge | Typical range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal / carrier charges (THC, DO, security) | $650–$950 | per 40HQ |
| Customs broker / clearance fee | $300–$500 | per entry |
| Combined | $1,200 typical | per container |
Paperwork you must have
- BESC / BIETC cargo tracking note
Important: BESC/BIETC must be issued before shipment. Douala demurrage is among the steepest on the route — negotiate free time at booking.
Ask your carrier for 14–21 days of destination free time (demurrage/detention) at booking — congested ports and high inspection rates make this the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much are import duties and taxes on a car in Cameroon?
Combined import taxes (duty, excise and VAT) run about 57%–63% of the car's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $5,700–$6,300 in duties and taxes, before ocean freight and local port/clearance fees.
Is there an age limit for importing a car into Cameroon?
Cameroon has no hard age cut-off, but older cars carry an escalating over-age penalty on top of normal duties (12–20 yrs: +12.5%; 20–99 yrs: +25%).
How long does it take to ship a car to Douala, Cameroon?
Ocean transit to Douala is typically 38–45 days, depending on the origin port and sailing schedule.
Can I import a used car into Cameroon?
Yes. Used vehicles can be imported into Cameroon subject to the age rule and standard duties and taxes above.
Does Cameroon require left-hand or right-hand drive vehicles?
Cameroon drives on the right, so left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles are the standard.
Compare with nearby markets
Duty, VAT and age rules change sharply across a border — the same car can land 20 points cheaper one country over.
- Gabon — combined import tax 55%–76% of CIF
- Central African Rep. — combined import tax 48%–78% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
- DR Congo — combined import tax 52%–65% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
- Equatorial Guinea — combined import tax 55%–85% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
- Republic of Congo — combined import tax 56%–68% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
Related guides
- Used-car age limits by country
- How import taxes are calculated (CIF, duty, VAT, excise)
- RoRo vs container: which is cheaper for cars
- Cheapest African countries to import into
Estimate your exact cost
Tax rates, car age and engine size all change the final number. Use the free AutoLanded calculator to get a line-by-line landed cost for your specific vehicle and destination port.