The import procedure could seem like a completely different universe if you’re used to working with domestic vendors. Your supply chain will undoubtedly get considerably more complex as a result, along with special advantages. Even though a national boundary divides you, you should feel comfortable working with a potential supplier. You can learn everything you need to know about the CEMAC importation procedure from our brief guide.

What to Know if you want to instead Import to Cameroon

What to Know if you want to Import in Cameroon

Cameroon developed a “Single Window for Foreign Trade Operations” (GUCE) for customs procedures in the Port Authority of Douala in December 2000, though implementation remains spotty.  The GUCE brings together services of banks, the Douala Port Authority, SGS, Customs, the Treasury, exchange offices, the National Office of Cocoa and Coffee, and the phytosanitary services to reduce the length of import procedures to seven days and export procedures to two days.

Douala and the Kribi Deep Sea Port are regional ports.  Goods in transit to the Republic of Congo and the landlocked countries of Chad and the Central African Republic are stored in freight forwarders’ bonded warehouses, with an amount equal to the value of assessed import tax held by Cameroonian Customs as a guarantee of re-export.  The guarantee is released when the goods exit Cameroon.  With the introduction of the GPS tracking system, Cameroonian Customs and SGS track goods destined for neighboring countries.  Cameroon requires Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI), which should be carried out for all imports into the country.  This exercise is undertaken in the port of exporting country for the purpose of Customs clearance of the goods.  In addition, shippers must obtain a “Bordereau Electronique de Suivi des Cargaisons“(BESC) from the Cameroon Shippers Council office in Douala prior to loading cargo, and attach it to export customs documents.  Should they fail to do so, they can still obtain the document within five days following a vessel’s sailing date with a penalty, which may rise to 50 percent of the cost of the original BESC.  Any cargo loaded in or bound for Cameroon ports, except for cargo in transit and/or in trans-shipment, must be covered by an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) duly validated by the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNSC) or it’s representative.

Benefits of Importing Goods for Your Business

As your business decides whether to import goods, it’s usually helpful to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of importing.

Benefits of Importing Products to Your Country

• Better quality: Certain products have a reputation for excellence when they come from a specific region. In some cases, locally grown foods taste better because of the soil conditions or climate. There’s also a high demand for foreign cars from countries renowned for their automotive manufacturing.
• Higher profit margins: Many countries can produce cheaper goods thanks to an abundance of resources or less expensive labor. For many businesses, importing goods is more affordable, even after duties and tariffs, because of cheaper manufacturing.
• New products: When innovative products enter a foreign market, being the first to bring them to your own has many advantages. You can gain customers and market share by being the only source of a niche product early on.

Drawbacks of Importing Products to Your Country.

While importing imposes some disadvantages on businesses, you can avoid many of the impacts of these issues. Here are some of the cons of importing goods and how your business can limit the risks:

• Customs delays: One reason many companies shy away from importing is because of the customs process. If you’re not used to all the import regulations of your Country, you can find yourself facing a delay at the border. For many businesses following a just-in-time approach, delays at customs can snowball into a major issue. The good news is that you can avoid delays by working with RANDY LOGISTICS experts and following best practices when importing your goods.
• Duties and fees: All government places tariffs on foreign goods to encourage domestic production, protect customers from dangerous products, and for national security and political reasons. In some cases, the extra costs make it more affordable to buy from local producers. You can usually calculate whether it will be cheaper to buy locally or abroad, although it’s not foolproof. Governments can sometimes change tariffs suddenly, disrupting your supply chain.
• Less quality control: Although this is a bigger problem in some parts of the world than others, importing gives you less oversight over your suppliers. You can find yourself importing pirated goods or lower-quality products. Whenever you import, be sure to vet your suppliers thoroughly.

Factors to Consider for Importing

A few factors that may influence your decision to import products are the cultural and economic impacts. These influences can work to your benefit or disadvantage, depending on the circumstances.

• Foreign exchange rates: When shipping international products to your Country., consider the ever-changing exchange rates.
• Tariff fluctuations: Tariff rates can change for many reasons. If the government suddenly imposes a steep duty on goods from a particular market, you can pay more for your products than expected.
• Political considerations: Political tensions can result in higher trade tariffs between countries. Further, some people hesitate to buy items originating from certain countries for political reasons. For example, when countries are known for their poor labor practices, some customers do not want to purchase goods manufactured there.
• Differences in international culture: Cultural differences can affect your supplier relations. Some cultures have negative associations with hard deadlines, which can make planning trickier. It can also influence your supplier’s negotiation styles. Many countries prefer to build strong personal relationships with business associates. In that case, taking the time to get to know and trust your supplier can help you in business deals.
• 

Simplify the Importation Process With RANDY LOGISTICS

As your business prepares to take import from any angle of the world, make things even easier with RANDY LOGISTICS, We’ll handle the entire shipping process on your behalf. It starts with our expert logistics services and coordinating shipment consolidations and carrier transportation.

When your imports reach the border, you can rest assured, knowing our customs brokers have handled all the documentation and prepared the shipment for smooth passage into the arrival territory. You can track via our website your shipment before and after it crosses the border.

COMMONLY IMPORTED PRODUCTS BY SEA, MANAGED BY RANDY LOGISTICS

• Vehicles of all sizes, new and old
• Industrial equipment and machines
• Personal effects (personal belongings)
• Building materials (tiles, toiletries, etc.)
• Home and office furniture
• Electrical and electronic products (TV, Computers, phone, cameras, fridges, ovens, air conditioners, printers, photocopiers, generators, etc.)
• Books (text books, exercise books) magazines, paper
• Spare parts of vehicles and machines
• Earth movers of different type and sizes (caterpillars)
• Chemicals and paints
• Fertilizers and agricultural products
• Clothes, shoes and bags
• Timber/wood
• Cocoa/coffee
• Automobiles (Roll on/ Roll off)
• 20 and 40 foot containers.

Start importing from abroad today with RANDY LOGISTICS. Contact us to be your single point of contact for the entire international shipping process.