6 min read · Updated 2026-11-05
How to start an import business in Cameroon
You can start an import business in Cameroon with one product, one supplier and a small first order. What decides whether it works is not luck. It is how well you handle the legal setup, the supplier, the real cost and the paperwork.
Quick answer
- To start an import business in Cameroon, choose a business model, set up and register your business, pick one legal product, test it with a small order, and price it from landed cost.
- Treat importing as a discipline with steps to follow, not a gamble. Your money leaves the country before the goods arrive.
Choose a business model
| Model | How it works |
|---|---|
| Trading | You buy in bulk and resell to other businesses. |
| Wholesale to retail | You import and sell to shops. |
| Direct retail | You sell to end customers, including through an online shop. |
| Importing for production | Imported goods become inputs for something you make locally. |
Beginners usually do best with one product and one model. You can add more once the first shipment has sold.
Start an import business in Cameroon: a simple 90-day plan
- 1
Pick one product and check it is legal
Goods are free, controlled or prohibited. Controlled goods need permits. Confirm this before you contact suppliers.
- 2
Set up the legal side
Choose a business structure and register your business. Ask a licensed clearing agent which registrations and licences you need to import your product.
- 3
Find a supplier and order a paid sample
Compare several suppliers, verify the best one, and check the sample against your written specification.
- 4
Work out the landed cost
Add shipping, insurance, duty, taxes, port charges, agent fees and delivery. Only then set your selling price.
- 5
Place a small trial order
A small order costs less to get wrong and teaches you the whole process.
- 6
Review and grow
After the goods sell, check your real margin, then decide whether to repeat or scale.
What new importers get wrong
- Pricing from the factory price alone. Duties, shipping and clearance fees can eat the entire margin.
- Ignoring the costs that never appear on an invoice: storage charges from a slow customs process, a damaged shipment with no insurance, or a scam that costs the whole order.
- Choosing a product before checking whether it is legal to import.
- Putting the whole budget into the first order.
Your money leaves the country before the goods arrive, and you may never meet the supplier. Verify every supplier before you pay.
Learn it step by step
The free Sabbi Importation course follows these stages in order, from legal setup to delivery, with a Cameroon spotlight in every chapter. Use it alongside this guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an import business?
It depends on your product and order size. The safest approach is a small trial order. Work out the full landed cost first, so you know the real amount you need before you commit.
Do I need to register a company to import?
You need a registered business with the registrations and licences that apply to importing your product. Ask a licensed clearing agent and the relevant authorities which ones apply to you, because requirements change.
What should I import first?
Start with one product that is legal to import, easy to inspect and not too fragile. Test it with a small order before you spend more.
From Module 1: Import Fundamentals
Learn the whole process, free
The Sabbi Importation course takes you from legal setup to delivery, lesson by lesson.
Start the free courseYour next step
Written by the Sabbi team
Based on the Sabbi Importation course. This is general guidance, not legal or customs advice. Confirm rates and rules with a licensed clearing agent.
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Share on WhatsAppSources and further reading
- Guichet Unique du Commerce Extérieur (GUCE) Cameroun
Cameroon's single window for foreign-trade procedures and documents.
- Cameroon Customs (Direction Générale des Douanes)
Official customs information for Cameroon. Confirm current rules here or with a licensed clearing agent.
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