Authorities in Garoua, the regional capital of northern Cameroon, dismantled a mobile phone smuggling network through coordinated action by customs, prosecutors, and the gendarmerie.

According to the customs administration’s communications unit, a suspected smuggler stored 10,000 basic mobile phones and 4,000 accessories in a residence in the Marouare neighborhood, expecting to evade a new digital customs clearance system. However, customs officers intercepted the stock before any commercialization attempt.

Takem Tabi Enaw, head of Halcomi III Zone 3 operations covering the Adamawa, North, and Far North customs sectors, led the operation.

Since March 16, the Directorate General of Customs has introduced a mechanism requiring importers to pay customs duties on phones, tablets, and other digital devices. The system will officially enter into force on April 1, according to a March 26 statement from the Ministry of Finance.

Authorities expect the reform to generate CFA25 billion annually, compared with 1.3 billion currently collected.

The system places direct responsibility on importers, whether professional or occasional. Users will process customs clearance through the CAMCIS platform and complete payments electronically via Mobile Money or Orange Money.

The Ministry of Finance stated that the mechanism does not introduce a new tax or increase existing duties. Instead, it modernizes revenue collection and aims to reduce fraud and revenue leakage.

“Fiscal Amnesty” Measures

Authorities will grant a “fiscal amnesty” to phones already in use in Cameroon before the system’s entry into force, as well as to devices used by tourists and roaming users.

Only devices cleared under the new system or covered by the amnesty will be able to access networks operated by licensed telecom providers, said Louis Paul Motaze. Sellers and distributors must ensure the customs compliance of their inventories or face legal liability.

Phone smuggling has significantly reduced customs revenue in Cameroon. Customs data show that around 4 million devices enter the country each year. However, monthly revenue has fallen to less than CFA100 million over the past two decades, compared with about CFA2 billion in the 2000s.

A similar reform attempt in 2020 failed due to technical limitations and resistance from operators and consumers.

Customs authorities said the Garoua seizure underscores the urgency of the new system. They added that large-scale stockpiling to bypass electronic clearance is now ineffective and that authorities are ready to intercept fraudulent goods before they reach the market.

The Ministry of Finance advised buyers to verify the customs status of devices via SMS or an online platform before purchase. Sellers must also ensure compliance across their inventories.

The system, based on Article 6 of the 2023 Finance Law, aims to secure tax collection, promote fiscal compliance, and strengthen the fight against digital-related crime.

Source: Business in Cameroon