International convention and customs procedures of Chad

International Conventions

Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

International Economic Cooperation

Chad is a member of the main regional economic communities: the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), the Economic Community of Central African states (ECCAS) and the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD). Chad has been a member of WTO since 1996.

Non Tariff Barriers

Chad trade environment is poor, and the country was ranked second last out of 136 countries in the World Economic Forum's Enabling Trade Index 2016 (latest version), which measures institutions, policies and services to facilitate trade in countries around the world. Burdensome procedures and corruption represent serious hinders to trade.
Other non-tariff barriers still persist, such as overtaxing of goods; random checkpoints along corridors; highway robbers; and the country's landlocked location and the poor infrastructures.

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

As a member of the Customs Union of CEMAC, Chad adopts the common external tariff (CET), whose most favoured nation simple average is estimated at 18.1% by the WTO. However, the CET is difficult to be applied because members invoke country-specific exceptions and "safeguard" measures. Chad applies the exceptions to a varied range of product and therefore its average tariff rate is lower than the CET by being 16.4% (Heritage Foundation).
Products imported from outside the CEMAC region are subject to customs duties according to four tariff rate categories:
products of first necessity (e.g. flour, rice, etc.): 5%
primary materials and equipment: 10%
intermediate goods (e.g. tools, tires, etc.): 20%
consumer gGoods (e.g. canned foods, electronics, etc.): 30%.
In addition to the above customs duties, there are other supplementary taxes, including excise taxes of 20% on luxury products (such as televisions, audiovisual equipment, air conditioners, automobile radios, CD laser discs, home appliances, etc.), 25% on alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and 51% on new automobiles.
The government of Chad applies an 18% VAT and a 2% “statistical tax” to all goods entering or leaving Chad.
In line with CEMAC legislation, Chad collects the Community Integration Levy (TCI), the OHADA levy, and the Community Integration Contribution (CCI), amounting to 1.45% of import value. Other levies include a 0.4% Community Preference Levy (TPC) on fish, meat, dairy, and other animal products; an Advance Corporation Tax (IS) or Personal Income Tax (IRPP) of 4% of import value; and the Rural Intervention Fund (FIR) duty of 1 to 4% on agricultural products.

Customs Classification

Chad is a member of the World Customs organisation and does comply with the harmonised customs system.

Import Procedures

The following documents must be filed with the Ministry of Economy, Commerce, and Tourism before importing goods:
commercial Invoice: in four copies, containing the names of the exporter, consignee, the product name, quantity of each unit, declared value of each unit, gross weight, net weight, and total declared value. The documents should be preferably in French or with a French translation and description of the goods
certificate of origin: in two copies, issued or notarized and certified by an official Chamber of Commerce in the country of the products origin, or by the local Chadian branch of the foreign Chamber of Commerce. The documents should be preferably in French or with a French translation and description of the goods
packing list: in numeric series, including the number and quantity per carton. This document is not mandatory, but it can help speeding up the customs clearance procedure
bill of lading/airway bill: including the name and address of the consignee/importer of the goods. Identification numbers on bills of lading, airway bills, and invoices must be full and correct
when applicable, an “halal certificate” stating that the fresh or frozen meat or poultry products were slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law. It must be certified by an appropriate Chamber of Commerce.

Special import certification may be required for pharmaceuticals. Organization for Coordination of the Fight against Endemic Diseases in Central Africa (OCEAC, the CEMAC’s public health body), is overseeing the process of harmonization of national pharmaceutical policies.

Importing Samples

Samples can generally be imported duty-free. After their use, they must be re-exported or destroyed, with the process being certified by a custom agent.

To go further, check out our service Import controls and Export Controls.

For Further Information

Directorate General for Customs
Business Portal for Africa