Since 1 April 2026, Cameroon has applied a new digital mechanism to collect duties and taxes on mobile phones, tablets and other digital terminals.
MINFI specifies that this reform does not create a new tax: it digitises the collection of existing duties and links the terminal's customs status to its identification on telecommunications networks. For the general framework of duties and taxes and the CAMCIS declaration, the principle stays the same: a declared and liquidated device is not treated as an « off-circuit » devic
e.How does IMEI control wor
? The IMEI is the terminal's unique identifier. Importers must enter device identification data in their declarations, including brand, type and IMEI number. These data then make it possible to check whether the terminal has been correctly declared and cleare
. When a phone connects to the network, the mechanism can compare its IMEI with the recorded information. Cameroon Customs therefore recommends checking the phone's status before purchase via the official MPIE/CAMCIS platfor
m.How much does it cost to clear a phon
? On 4 June 2026, Cameroon Customs published an official grid with eight phone categories. Reference values range from XAF 5,000 for the most basic models to XAF 400,000 for high-end smartphone
. The official communication applies a rate of 33.33% to these reference values to determine duties and taxe
| s.Examp | leReference val | ueIndicative duti |
|---|---|---|
| esLow catego | ryXAF 5,0 | 00≈ XAF 1,6 |
| 70High catego | ryXAF 400,0 | 00≈ XAF 133,000–135,0 |
0 Remember: these amounts rest on fiscal reference values, not necessarily on the price actually paid to the selle
r.Which devices are concerne
- ? mobile phone
- ; certain landline phones covered by the schem
- ; tablet
- ; modem
- ; other assimilated digital terminal
. For professional importers, reliable identification of devices before the customs declaration becomes essentia
l.Which phones benefit from the amnest
? The most recent official communications take 1 April 2026 as the reference date. Terminals that had already connected to the Cameroonian network before that date benefit from the tax amnesty announced in the schem
. Phones used in roaming and those belonging to tourists on a short stay are not targeted by the blocking under the conditions announced by Custom
s.Can an uncleared phone be blocke
? Yes. The scheme provides that unlisted terminals may be denied access to the local network. Implementation has been the subject of several 2026 communications, including announcements of stronger blocking of unregularised terminal
. For the user, the best strategy is therefore to check the real IMEI status before the terminal hits a network-access proble
m.How to check if a phone is cleare
? Customs asks consumers to use the official MPIE/CAMCIS platform and enter the terminal's IMEI to know its customs statu
. Practical tip: before buying a new or used smartphone in Cameroon, check the IMEI and keep the sales document
s.What if the phone is not cleare
? Unregularised devices can go through a regularisation procedure with the competent services. Customs has in particular indicated that small quantities of fewer than 10 uncleared devices could be covered by simplified declarations, while sellers and distributors must regularise the stocks concerne
. For a professional importer, it is better to anticipate before arriva
- : supplier invoic
- ; list of models and quantitie
- ; device IMEIs when availabl
- ; transport document
- ; customs declaration and conformity document
. See also importing into Cameroon in 2026 for the rest of the file (DI, RVC, BESC, PECAE
).Can the tax be paid twic
? The mechanism is designed to avoid double taxation. When a device has already been correctly cleared at the point of entry and the information is recorded, the system should recognise its status when it connects to the networ
k.Frequently asked questions (FA
Q)How do I know if my phone is cleare
? Check its IMEI on the MPIE/CAMCIS platfor
m.Will a phone connected before April 2026 be blocke
? Official communications indicate an amnesty for terminals already connected before 1 April 202
6.Is the phone tax ne
? No. MINFI specifies that it is the collection mechanism that has been modernise
d.Are tourists concerne
? Phones in roaming and those of tourists on a short stay are excluded from the announced blockin
g.Official and regulatory sourc
s Procedures, thresholds and tax measures can change. Check the rules applicable on the actual date of the operatio
. Smartphone and tablet importers: ALC Transit checks formalities, documentation and declaration preparation upstream to avoid regularisation after arriva