Behind the scenes: how Cameroon’s customs reform quietly reshaped phone imports

Between April and early September 2026, Cameroon’s customs authority quietly collected 1.8 billion FCFA (approximately 2.7 million euros) in duties and taxes on imported phones, tablets, and digital devices—a figure that contrasts sharply with the mere 100 million FCFA collected monthly under the previous system. This transformation was not the result of a sudden tax hike, but rather a behind-the-scenes overhaul of declaration and clearance processes. While the customs authority frames this as a win for fiscal policy, security, and economic transparency, the shift has sent ripples through the market, leaving some importers in disarray.