HOW TO OBTAIN AN IMPORT LICENSE IN CAMEROON

IMPORT LICENSE IN CAMEROON

An import license in Cameroon is an approved document by the government of Cameroon authorizing the holder to import goods as provided/listed by the holder from another country into Cameroon.

With the advantages and profits which international trade has brought, businessmen can only seize such opportunity when they obtain an import license in Cameroon. Nevertheless, the question of how to obtain an import license in Cameroon and the right procedure to engage in order to get an import license in Cameroon is usually asked by businessmen.

In order to obtain an import license in Cameroon, law No. 2010/044 of 18^th April 2016 governing international trade, and decree No. 2017/6523/PM of 7^th June 2017 has to be respected by importers and exporters in Cameroon.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN IMPORTERS LICENSE IN CAMEROON

The statutory requirements on how to obtain an import license in Cameroon must be respected by an aspiring importer desirous to import goods in commercial quantities into Cameroon. These requirements to obtain an import license in Cameroon are as follows:

1. The aspiring importer must first have a company registered in Cameroon which will entail the issuance of a certificate of incorporation, a certificate of registration in the trade and personal property credit register, an attestation of business creation, a location plan of the company.
2. The second step is for the company to be registered under the tax department of Cameroon and obtain a tax payers registration number and a business license.
3. The aspiring importer will then get registered under the chamber of commerce in Cameroon in order to obtain an import license in Cameroon.
4. The importer will then get registered into the national shipper’s council.

HOW TO OBTAIN A LICENSE/AUTHORIZATION TO IMPORT INTO CAMEROON

The question of how to get a special import license in Cameroon will bring our attention to some of the sectors where the import license is not an ordinary import license; they are as follows

Veterinary Sector:

To import veterinary products or medication, the importer must do the following;

• Apply through the Chief veterinary officer of the veterinary department.
• Notify the agency of the date of arrival of products
• On arrival of the importer is to make a declaration of animal products for consignment inspection and certification.
• If the consignment complies with the standards, the agency will request the payment of the prescribed fee by the importer.

Medication Sector:

To import medication into Cameroon, the importer must do the following:

• Apply through the Ministry of Health.
• Submit a list of medication to be imported for approval.
• Show proof of the acceptable storage system for the medication.
• On arrival, the importer is to make a declaration of the medication for inspection and certification.
• Officials will inspect the storage site for approval.

Fertilizer  

To import fertilizer into Cameroon, the importer must do the following:

• Provide an application for declaration of activity.
• A commitment to comply with the laws and regulations governing the sector.
• A promoter’s structure information sheet.
• Provide legalized copies of the diploma or certificate of the technician (s) responsible for the technical aspects, issued by an approved agriculture training institution.
• A curriculum vitae of the technical staff etc.

CATEGORIZATION OF GOODS FOR IMPORT IN CAMEROON

In this regard, there are four categories as follows:

– Goods with an FOB value of < 1 million CFA francs do not require an import declaration and are not subject to the inspection procedure;

– Goods with an FOB/DI value equal to or greater than 1 million CFA francs, but less than 2 million CFA francs require the lifting of a DI, but are not subject to an inspection procedure verification procedure;

– Goods with an FOB/DI value in excess of 2 million CFA francs; require the lifting of a DI and fall within the scope of the pre-shipment (or pre-shipment) inspection procedure,

– Goods exempt from the inspection procedure, whatever their FOB/DI value. The list of these goods is available from the Guichet Unique (One Stop Shop).

DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN AN IMPORT LICENSE IN CAMEROON

The summary of the following documents are required for an import license in Cameroon;

1. Duly stamped application on the company letterhead which states the articles to be imported,
2. Certificate of incorporation of the company
3. Certified copy of tax payer’s card of the company
4. Business license of the company (Certificate of Non-Indebtedness)
5. Company Articles of Association
6. Clearance certificate from the National Social Insurance Fund
7. Attestation of localization of the company
8. Certified copies of Identity Cards or passport of the shareholders
9. Proof of payment of registration fees.

LICENSING COST TO IMPORT IN CAMEROON

The import licensing cost in Cameroon will vary based on a number of factors. Some of these factors include;

• Type of company
• Nature of goods or articles to import
• Nationality of company manager etc.

N/B In conclusion, no generic import license exists. Import licenses are issued based on the nature of articles or goods to be imported into Cameroon.

Applicants should be aware of the type of goods which cannot be imported into Cameroon.