Luggage and customs for Cameroon: what to bring, declare and leave at home
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 6 min read
Cameroon customs ask air passengers to declare their luggage, goods and cash in the official "Douane CMR" app before landing; a QR code is then scanned on arrival in Douala or Yaoundé. Personal belongings and normal gifts are not taxed, goods meant for sale are, and weapons and drugs are prohibited. Leaving with 5 million FCFA or more in cash must be declared. Rules change: this page sums up what we know and points you to the official sources, which always prevail.
Cameroon customs: the Douane CMR declaration
- 1Download the app before you flySearch for "Douane CMR" (or "Customs CMR") on Google Play or the App Store. It is free and replaces the paper forms once handed out on the plane.
- 2Fill in the declarationYour identity, passport and flight number, your luggage, the goods you carry and the cash you carry. Answer honestly: declaring is what protects you.
- 3Keep the QR codeThe app gives you a QR code. Keep it on your phone (and a screenshot, in case your battery is low) or print it.
- 4Show it on arrivalCustoms officers scan the code at Douala or Yaoundé-Nsimalen and may inspect your bags.
Some airlines check it before boarding
Since February 2026, Asky has refused boarding to Cameroon without a validated declaration, and other airlines may do the same. Ask your airline, and complete the declaration before you leave for the airport.
Gifts, new goods and what is taxed
- Personal belongings (your clothes, your own phone and laptop, toiletries) enter without duties.
- Gifts in normal quantities for family rarely cause problems. Keep quantities reasonable and declare anything you are unsure about.
- Goods for sale are taxed. Several identical new items, such as several phones still in their boxes, or bales of clothes, look like trade goods. Declare them; keep the invoices.
- Professional equipment (cameras, medical devices, samples) may need a declaration or a temporary admission. Check with customs or your client before travelling.
- Duty-free allowances for tobacco, alcohol and perfume exist but are limited: check the current amounts on the official customs site.
Prohibited and restricted items
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Weapons, ammunition, even spent cartridges | Prohibited; heavy fines and possible detention |
| Cannabis, CBD products, narcotics | Prohibited |
| Counterfeit and pirated goods | May be seized |
| Medicines | Allowed for personal use, in original boxes with the prescription |
| Cultural objects, ivory, protected wildlife | Do not export without official authorisation; check before you buy |
Cash: entering and leaving
There is no maximum for cash brought into Cameroon, but the app asks you to declare the currencies you carry. Leaving with 5 million FCFA (about 7,600 euros) or more must be declared. Carrying large sums is also a safety risk; Mobile Money and cards reduce it. See money in Cameroon.
Airline baggage: practical tips
- Check your allowance on your ticket: number of bags, weight per bag, cabin bag size. Extra bags are usually cheaper booked online than at the airport.
- Weigh your bags at home. Cases over the limit are opened at check-in, which is stressful with gifts packed tightly.
- In your hand luggage: passport, visa approval, yellow fever certificate, medicines, phone, chargers, power banks (never in checked bags), valuables and one change of clothes in case a bag is delayed.
- Label every bag with your name and a Cameroonian phone number, and photograph your bags and their contents.
- Connections: with two airlines on separate tickets, you may have to collect and re-check your bags. Allow enough time.
What to bring
- Light, breathable clothes; a light rain jacket; a warm layer for the West highlands or air-conditioned offices.
- Smarter clothes for family ceremonies, church or business meetings.
- Plug adapter (types C and E, 220 V) and a power bank: see electricity and water.
- Insect repellent and your usual medicines: see yellow fever and health.
- Some euros or FCFA in small notes for the first day.
Going home: what you can take back
Families often send travellers home with food. Check your destination country's rules before packing: meat, dairy products, plants and some foods are restricted or banned in the European Union, the UK, the USA and Canada, and must be declared there. Liquids such as palm oil or sauces go in checked bags, well sealed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fill in a customs declaration for Cameroon?
Yes. Air passengers declare their luggage, goods and cash in the free "Douane CMR" app before landing, and show the QR code on arrival. Some airlines check it before boarding.
How much cash can I take into Cameroon?
There is no maximum on entry, but you declare the currencies you carry in the app. Leaving with 5 million FCFA or more must be declared.
Will I pay customs duties on gifts?
Gifts and personal belongings in normal quantities rarely cause problems. Several identical new items, such as phones in their boxes, look like goods for sale and are taxed.
What items are prohibited in Cameroon?
Weapons and ammunition (even spent cartridges), cannabis and CBD products and other drugs. Counterfeit goods may be seized. Check the official customs rules before travelling.
Can I bring medicines to Cameroon?
Yes, for personal use: keep them in their original boxes with a copy of the prescription, in your hand luggage.