Money & duty free for Cameroon

Exchange rates:

CFA Franc
C$1 = XOF655.96
€1 = XOF655.96
£1 = XOF655.96
US$1 = XOF655.96

Euro
C$1 = €0.72
£1 = €1.19
US$1 = €0.96

Currency & Money

Currency information

CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XAF; symbol CFA) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFA10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFA250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Cameroon, together with CAR, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, belongs to an economic and monetary community sharing a common currency, the Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) CFA Franc, which is pegged to the Euro. The CFA Franc issued by the Banque des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (Bank of West African States), used in the ECOWAS countries further west, has the same value but is not legal tender in Cameroon.

Credit cards

Major credit cards are accepted on a very limited basis (some airline offices and hotels will take them). Cards cannot be used in banks to obtain cash advances.

ATM

ATMs are rare.

Travellers cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, although it is possible to exchange Sterling traveller's cheques. Commission rates tend to be high.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0730-1530 or from 0800-1700 at certain branches.

Currency restriction

Foreign currencies must be declared when imported when their value is 1 million FCA and higher. Export of local currency is limited to XAF20,000. There is no limit on the export of foreign currency.

Currency exchange

Euros are the easiest currency to exchange. US Dollars are the next most acceptable. Travellers should bring cash in preference to traveller's cheques.

Import restrictions

Imported foreign currencies must be declared when their value is 1 million FCFA or higher.

Cameroon duty free

The following goods may be imported into Cameroon without incurring customs duty:

• 400 cigarettes or 125 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits and 3L of wine.

Please note: The customs declaration must be submitted by air travelers online using the “Customs Cmr” app in the respective app store.

Duty-free allowances are subject to change, sometimes at short notice due to policy updates or external factors. Information is correct at the time of writing; travellers should verify current allowances with official customs authorities before departure. We accept no liability for any inconvenience or loss arising from changes to these regulations.

Banned imports

Unlicensed arms and ammunition; game-hunting weapons require a permit.

This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official customs website or contact the embassy or consulate near you for the most up-to-date information.

Banned exports

Endangered flora and fauna, unless licensed. You must also obtain permission to export artworks.

This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official customs website or contact the embassy or consulate near you for the most up-to-date information.

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.