Cameroon Extends Customs Crackdown on Illegal Trade

Cameroon’s Directorate General of Customs has extended its campaign against fraud and smuggling to Kribi and Campo, targeting illegal supply chains that deprive the state of customs revenue and expose registered businesses to unfair competition. The latest phase of the campaign was held on September 4, 2026, at the MIOD Tower in Kribi. It brought together officials from the South II Customs Sector and economic operators from Kribi and Campo.

According to information published by the Directorate General of Customs, the session focused on fraud and the smuggling of drinks and frozen products. It examined the effects of illegal trade on local businesses, public revenue and consumer health.

The meeting was chaired by Commander Félix Ekolle, head of the national awareness campaign. Armelle Assengue, head of the South II Customs Sector, received participants and outlined plans to strengthen cooperation between customs officials and businesses operating through legal distribution channels.

Customs officials said the campaign had become necessary because of the expansion of clandestine supply networks. Such channels allow goods to enter the market without the payment of applicable duties and taxes or compliance with importation, storage and product-control requirements. The administration also raised concerns over drinks carrying no required fiscal stamps, adulterated beverages and frozen food imported or stored outside established standards.

Traders commit to legal supply chains

Representatives of traders, freight forwarders and importers used the Kribi meeting to present the logistical and economic difficulties affecting their activities. Franco Dzali, president of traders in Campo, welcomed the decision to sensitise businesses before enforcement operations begin. He said some traders lacked adequate information about official distribution channels and the fiscal-stamp requirements applied to drinks.

“We recognize the dangers that smuggling poses to the economy and public health. Campo traders are committed to progressively complying with legal standards to avoid customs seizures and ensure the continuity of their businesses,” Dzali said.

On her part, Christelle Ntsam, president of the Association of Freight Forwarders and Shippers of Kribi, said fraud and smuggling weakened importers and logistics professionals that complied with customs procedures. She added that industry operators were working to develop business activities linked to the Port of Kribi and would align their operations with regulatory and procedural requirements.

Participants agreed to clean up their supply networks and establish a system for sharing information on suspected smuggling operations. Customs and private-sector representatives also resolved to reinforce cooperation aimed at protecting legal businesses and improving competition in the local market.

Campaign targets border supply routes

The South Region operation began on August 31, 2026, in Ebolowa, where the campaign team met officials of the South I Customs Sector. The delegation was received by sector head Francis Pierre Bilounga and other senior customs officials. The Directorate General of Customs said the national campaign seeks to mobilise customs personnel, administrative authorities and economic operators against organized fraud and smuggling networks.

During the Ebolowa stage, South Regional Governor Félix Nguele Nguele said drinks were being transported across borders to supply markets in the region and other parts of Cameroon. Discussions covered customs revenue mobilisation, employment, economic activity and the need to maintain social stability during enforcement operations.

The campaign also moved to Kyé-Ossi, a trading town located at Cameroon’s borders with Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Its position makes it an important crossing point for goods entering and leaving the South Region. Customs said blocking illegal supply routes would support the collection of duties and taxes, protect legal importers from underpriced illicit goods and reduce the circulation of counterfeit, toxic or expired products.

Commander Ekolle said sustained cooperation between customs officials and economic operators would form the basis of the campaign against fraud and smuggling in Kribi, Campo and other border localities.

Mercy Fosoh