Cameroon Customs Identify CFAF 5bn in Evaded Duties and Penalties in One Month

Cameroon’s customs administration has reported more than CFAF 5 billion in compromised duties and penalties from customs disputes handled over a one-month period.

The figures were disclosed during the 218th session of the Customs Disputes Approval Commission (CADC), chaired by Director General of Customs Fongod Edwin Nuvaga on June 16, 2026, at the Customs Directorate General headquarters. The commission reviewed the outcome of dispute cases received and processed between May 15 and June 15, 2026.

According to the Technical Secretariat, 656 customs dispute files were processed during the period under review. Their examination revealed compromised or evaded customs duties amounting to CFAF 2.07 billion and fines totaling CFAF 2.97 billion. Combined, the cases generated more than CFAF 5.04 billion in recoverable claims linked to customs offenses.

Customs said the results marked a significant increase compared with the previous session. The value of compromised or evaded duties rose by CFAF 976.24 million, representing growth of 85.6 percent. Fines increased by CFAF 774.66 million, equivalent to a 37.4 percent rise.

The Customs Directorate’s central services recorded the highest amount of compromised or evaded duties at CFAF 1.57 billion. They were followed by the Littoral I Customs Sector with CFAF 327.57 million and the South II Customs Sector with CFAF 128.45 million.

The same ranking was observed for fines. Central services accounted for CFAF 2.48 billion in penalties, while Littoral I generated CFAF 252.87 million and South II registered CFAF 145.55 million.

In terms of the number of cases handled, Littoral I led with 220 files, followed by Littoral II with 112 cases and South II with 93 cases. Eleven customs sectors contributed to dispute activities during the reporting period, including Littoral I, Littoral II, South II, Far North, Centre, Adamawa, East, North-West, West, South I and North sectors.

Customs said analysis of the case files showed that the most frequently committed offenses were failure to fulfill subscribed commitments, with 136 cases, followed by false declaration of value with 119 cases and importation without declaration with 87 cases.

However, the offenses generating the largest amounts of compromised or evaded duties differed from those most frequently recorded. Importation without declaration involving heavily taxed goods generated CFAF 1 billion in compromised duties. This was followed by other cases of importation without declaration valued at CFAF 323.89 million and the non-presentation of goods placed under warehouse arrangements, which accounted for CFAF 310.77 million.

Importation without declaration was also said to have generated the highest amount in fines at CFAF 750 million. Failure to fulfill subscribed commitments followed with CFAF 697.8 million, while under-assessment of customs duties and taxes generated CFAF 500 million in penalties.

At the close of the session, Fongod Edwin Nuvaga called on customs services at both central and regional levels to optimize dispute-related operations through stronger customs risk profiling, intensified action against fraud and smuggling, and closer collaboration between operational units and special missions. The measures are intended to strengthen enforcement efforts and improve the protection of public revenue derived from international trade.

Mercy Fosoh