Cameroon has launched a new system to tighten customs collection on mobile phones, tablets, and other digital devices, aiming to boost annual revenue to CFA25 billion, up from about CFA1.3 billion currently collected.
The reform, introduced on March 16 by the customs administration under the Finance Ministry, requires all importers—whether commercial or individual—to declare and pay duties directly on imported devices.
Under the new framework, professional importers must register all device IMEI numbers in the customs database through the Camcis system. Occasional importers, including travelers, can use a simplified customs declaration process at airports or land borders. A mobile application will also allow remote clearance and payment of duties via Mobile Money or Orange Money.
Network Access Tied to Customs Compliance
Only devices that have been properly cleared through customs will be allowed to connect to licensed telecom networks in Cameroon. Phones not registered in the customs database will be blocked.
Authorities have also introduced free SMS and web-based tools that allow consumers to verify a device’s customs status before purchase by entering its IMEI number.
However, devices already in use before the rollout of the system will benefit from a tax amnesty. Any phone that has previously connected to a local network—even once—will be exempt from the new requirements.
The exemption also applies to tourists and roaming users, whose devices will not be subject to customs duties during their stay.
A Second Attempt After a Failed Reform
Customs officials stress that the reform does not introduce new taxes but changes how duties are collected. They note that the declared value of devices has been reduced and further discounted by 50%, in line with provisions of the 2023 finance law.
The move follows the failure of a similar reform in 2020, which sought to collect duties through mobile operators by deducting charges directly from users’ airtime. That system faced strong opposition from telecom companies and the public over technical, legal, and privacy concerns, as well as fears of revenue losses and forced disconnections.
Facing backlash, the government suspended the plan.
Customs data shows that around 4 million phones are imported into Cameroon each year. However, rising smuggling has sharply reduced revenue from these imports, with collections now below CFA100 million per month, compared with about CFA2 billion monthly in the 2000s.
Brice R. Mbodiam
