In Cameroon and the CEMAC zone, foreign exchange for travel is regulated by CEMAC and Ministry of Finance rules.
The allocation of foreign exchange to travellers is subject to the production of the documents referred to in Article 80 of the Regulations.
Foreign exchange is allocated in cash, by funds transfer, credit card or prepaid card. It is capped, all means of payment combined, at the equivalent of CFAF 5 million per person and per trip
For foreign exchange needs exceeding the ceiling indicated above, duly justified requests shall be met by authorised intermediaries.
Individuals crossing the borders of CEMAC, on entry or exit, are authorised to hold through them, without declaration, cash sums not exceeding the equivalent of 5 million CFA francs, foreign exchange and CFA francs combined. Any amount exceeding CFAF 5 million or the equivalent in foreign currency as well as negotiable instruments and securities corresponding to this threshold are subject to a declaration to the customs services, under penalty of sanctions provided for by the regulations in force.
The obligation to report is not fulfilled if the information provided by the individual is incorrect or incomplete.
During checks at border posts, the customs services identify the traveller and may, if necessary, request additional information on the origin of the funds transported. In the absence of proof of the origin of the funds, the customs services confiscate the sums in question and remit them to the Central Bank.
Resident travellers entering CEMAC must return the currency they hold to an approved intermediary.
Upon leaving CEMAC, non-resident travellers may carry foreign currency or any other foreign means of payment for an amount equal to the maximum amount they declared upon entering CEMAC.
When non-resident travellers have not made any declaration on entry or if they carry sums exceeding their own contributions, they must justify their origin for amounts exceeding CFAF 5 million. In the absence of proof of the origin of the funds, the customs services confiscate the sums in question and remit them to the Central Bank.
In support of their requests, travellers must submit the following documents, depending on the purpose of the trip:
- For tourists, a valid travel document and a transport ticket;
- For business travel, a professional card or certificate, a valid travel document and a travel ticket;
- For students and trainees, a student card or a certificate of registration or a certificate of tuition or a certificate of scholarship, a valid travel document and a travel ticket;
- For official missions, a mission order, a valid travel document and a transport ticket;
- For other travellers, a valid travel document and a transport ticket.
Case Specific to Cameroon
- Business Trips
Foreign currency allocation capped at 10 million CFA francs. Documents required:
A valid passport and an entry visa to the host country
A ticket (flight ticket);
A valid business licence
A valid taxpayer’s card
A certificate of business trip
- Official Mission
Individual or group professional trips made for the needs of government or private authorities.
Foreign current allocation capped at 4 million FCFA. Documents required
A mission order;
A valid passport
A Travel warrant, Etc.