Cameroon Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in cameroon, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Import Requirements and Documentation
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The process for importing goods into Cameroon begins when the importer or their representative submits a request for an Attestation of Verification (AVI) to SGS, the Swiss inspection company responsible for port inspections.  This request must be submitted by the time the cargo manifest is validated. Along with the AVI request, the importer must provide an interpretative document, bill of lading or airway bill, final invoice, packing list, local insurance certificate, customs clearance number, cargo manifest number, proof of any exemptions with a provisional customs certificate, and a phytosanitary certificate or other required technical service documents.
SGS issues the final AVI, including the original document and two copies, to the importer within eight hours. SGS does not issue a provisional AVI.  

Once the verification process is complete, the inspector provides three copies of the declaration: a grey, a blue, and a yellow copy. This verification process is completed within a maximum of six hours, provided there are no disputes regarding taxes or shipment details.

For imports subject to pre-shipment inspection, SGS manages the verification and payment flow. The importer submits documents to SGS, which stamps and approves them. The importer then pays SGS via an international bank account. Once payment is confirmed, copies are returned to the importer and SGS, and the inspector verifies the goods before release. This system ensures compliance with Cameroonian standards while providing a transparent, trackable payment and clearance process.

See flow diagram:
Importer → SGS (documents submitted & verified)  → SGS’s Bank (payment processed)  → SGS (payment confirmed & copies returned)  → Inspector (end-use verified)  → Goods Released

U.S. exporters to Cameroon must ensure they meet several documentation requirements, including obtaining an AVI from SGS, submitting a proforma invoice, bill of lading, packing list, freight invoice, insurance certificate, and customs clearance number.  Additionally, an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), known as Bordereau Électronique de Suivi de Cargaison (BESC), is required and must be obtained from the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNSC).  For certain goods, a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from ANOR may also be necessary, along with phytosanitary certificates and other technical service documents depending on the product type.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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