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18.06.2020

COVID-19 [Cameroon]

Bulletin n° 5 - CIQP : 18 June 2020 (Bulletin on Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Procedures)

IMPORTATION AND CUSTOMS / IMPORTATION ET DOUANES

Customs, land, sea

All commercial borders are open to cargo movements. Land and sea freight are operating as normal.
Foreign trade is continuing, in particular with the landlocked neighbors for which Cameroon serves
as a transit country, without prejudice to conducting health checks on drivers.
(Information updated 18 June: UNECE)

Border status with neighboring countries:
- Central African Republic: Difficulties at the Cameroon’s borders, activity is slowed down due
to systematic testing of all crews/ drivers
- Equatorial Guinea: All commercial borders are still open to cargo
movements.
- Nigeria: Road cargo only open for humanitarian or essential items.
Significative delays for cargo movements.
- Republic of the Congo: Borders remain open to freight.

(Information updated 18 June: Agility, Bollore Logistics and UNECE)

Customs importation procedure

• Regarding the Customs treatment of supplies, materials and equipment normally used to combat COVID-19, the HS classification reference list suggested by the WCO Secretariat has been widely circulated within the Customs Administration, and attention has been drawn to the Customs facilities applicable at import. The Administration is planning to propose full exemption for all these goods, for the duration of this health crisis.
• Humanitarian assistance consignments are eligible for the following procedures: (i) immediate collection subject to lodging of a provisional declaration and security, (ii) pre-arrival completion of Customs formalities, with inspection on quayside/runway followed by immediate removal of the goods, and (iii) pre-arrival declaration procedure. Such consignments may benefit from duty and tax-free admission.
• The following short-term measures are also envisaged:
  - Full deployment, across the entire national territory, of CAMCIS (Cameroon’s new Customs Information System modelled on UNI-PASS, to replace ASYCUDA ++), which consolidates the automation of procedures and developments to establish a paperless system as is required for social distancing;
  - Relaxation of the requirement to provide certain commercial documents;
  - Suspension of the collection of interest on the late payment of Customs duties and taxes;
  - Identification of concerted actions to be taken with the national supply chain to ensure continuity of service if the Government implements lockdown measures.
• It is recommended that the exchange of administrative correspondence take place electronically, using the e-mail address : cab.douanes.cameroun (at) gmail.com.
• Regarding the admissibility of Customs declarations and eligibility for “removal of goods” operations, the requirement to provide certain commercial documents and accomplish certain procedures has been relaxed as follows:
  - Acceptance of documentation transmitted electronically (copies) in place of the originals, subject to regularization, where necessary;
  - Waiver of RVC (Value and Tariff Classification Report), subject to regularization, in cases where the relevant documentation cannot be made available to SGS by the supplier;
  - Acceptance of electronic invoices;
  - Acceptance of copies of the EUR1 Movement Certificate for the application of tariff preferences under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Cameroon and the European Union;
  - Acceptance of the release slip issued by the system instead of the original signed by the Collector, subject to regularization;
  - Suspension of the collection of interest on the late payment of Customs duties and taxes.
  (Information dated 24 March: Directorate General of Customs)

24.03.2020

To limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure the continuity and smooth flow of
trade, the Customs Administration of Cameroon has taken, or disseminated, the following
measures:

 In relation to the movement of goods and people, with effect from Wednesday 18 March
the Government of the Republic of Cameroon has ordered the closure of road, air and
maritime borders, with the exception of cargo flights, ships carrying consumer staples,
and essential goods and equipment (including relief consignments).

 Foreign trade is continuing, in particular with the landlocked neighbours (Chad, Central
African Republic) for which Cameroon serves as a transit country, without prejudice to
conducting health checks on drivers.

 Within the Customs Administration of Cameroon, the following measures are in force :

• Implementation of social distancing measures (no gatherings of fifty or more
  people, cancellation of any meetings that might be attended by more than ten
  people);
• Temporary ban on international travel assignments;
• Awareness-raising regarding cross-infection precautions and hygiene measures;
• Installation of disinfection stations in public buildings operated by Customs, for
  washing and sanitising the hands.

 Regarding the Customs treatment of supplies, materials and equipment normally used
to combat COVID-19, the list suggested by the WCO Secretariat has been widely
circulated within the Customs Administration, and attention has been drawn to the
Customs facilities applicable at import. The Administration is planning to propose full
exemption for all these goods, for the duration of this health crisis.

 Humanitarian assistance consignments are eligible for the following procedures:
(i) immediate collection subject to lodging of a provisional declaration and security,
(ii) pre-arrival completion of Customs formalities, with inspection on quayside/runway
followed by immediate removal of the goods, and (iii) pre-arrival declaration procedure.
Such consignments may benefit from duty- and tax-free admission.

 The following short-term measures are also envisaged :

• Full deployment, across the entire national territory, of CAMCIS (Cameroon’s new
  Customs Information System modelled on UNI-PASS, to replace ASYCUDA ++),
  which consolidates the automation of procedures and developments to establish
  a paperless system as is required for social distancing;
• Relaxation of the requirement to provide certain commercial documents;
• Suspension of the collection of interest on the late payment of Customs duties and
  taxes;
• Identification of concerted actions to be taken with the national supply chain to
  ensure continuity of service if the Government implements lockdown measures.

On 26 March 2020, the General Directorate of Customs of Cameroon released to the general
public the following Official Notice, introducing further measures aimed at facilitating
procedures and reducing human contact.