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Export from the Central African Republic
A short guide for companies selling from the Central African Republic: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What the Central African Republic sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$204.5 million
Merchandise exports were US$204.5 million in 2024 in the Central African Republic's own UN Comtrade report.
Source: UN Comtrade, Central African Republic exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Services exports
US$180.6 million
Services exports were US$180.6 million in 2023, in the WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data.
Source: UNCTADstat, WTO-UNCTAD-ITC trade in services, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Top goods exports
2024
- 1. Aircraft parts (HS 8807)US$102.3 million
- 2. Gold (HS 7108)US$32.1 million
- 3. Base-metal ornaments and frames (HS 8306)US$20.5 million
- 4. Diamonds (HS 7102)US$12.9 million
- 5. Telephones and smartphones (HS 8517)US$7.07 million
- 6. Rough wood (HS 4403)US$6.62 million
- 7. Armored fighting vehicles (HS 8710)US$5.13 million
- 8. Sawn wood (HS 4407)US$4.47 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Goods transport vehicles (HS 8704)US$3.68 million
- 10. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$1.67 million
- 11. Special-purpose vehicles (HS 8705)US$1.58 million
- 12. Vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$1.17 million
- 13. Electric generating sets (HS 8502)US$1.17 million
- 14. Carded or combed cotton (HS 5203)US$973,254
- 15. Forklifts and lifting trucks (HS 8427)US$890,255
- 16. Tractors (HS 8701)US$683,732
- 17. Trailers and semi-trailers (HS 8716)US$242,365
- 18. Fruit juices (HS 2009)US$213,338
- 19. Medicines (HS 3004)US$194,439
- 20. Filtering and centrifuge machinery (HS 8421)US$167,158
- Aircraft parts (HS 8807) are 50.0 percent of 2024 exports and almost all went to Pakistan and Tunisia; without them, 2024 exports were US$102.2 million. Check the line before you quote the total. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Gold was 63.9 percent of 2023 exports and 15.7 percent of 2024 exports, so the mix of exports changed sharply between the two years. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Flow X includes re-exports, which were US$22,896.82 in 2024, a very small part of the total. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The 2024 report uses the 2022 edition of the HS and the 2023 report the 2017 edition, so headings new in 2022 show no change. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Central African Republic exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Where the goods go
2024, share of goods exports
- Pakistan30.4%
- Tunisia19.6%
- Sri Lanka7.4%
- Egypt5.7%
- Portugal3.4%
- United Arab Emirates2.9%
- Mauritania2.5%
- United States2.3%
- The grouping Areas, nes is 25.4 percent of 2024 exports; it is in the total and in each share but is not ranked. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Pakistan's and Tunisia's 2024 values are entirely aircraft parts, Sri Lanka's almost entirely base-metal ornaments and Mauritania's entirely armored vehicles. Check a destination's product mix before you quote its share. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Central African Republic exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks rough wood, sawn wood and carded or combed cotton as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only the Central African Republic’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Central African Republic exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Pakistan takes 30.4% of the Central African Republic’s goods exports. If you sell there, its import rules and buyer channels come first; either way, compare at least one other market before you commit.
Source: UN Comtrade, Central African Republic exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Where the goods go
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Goods that meet AfCFTA origin rules may enter other participating markets at the tariff preference each importer schedules.
Central African Republic has ratified, but its tariff schedule was adopted and not yet gazetted in July 2026, so no operational route is published.
Source: AfCFTA Secretariat, status of tariff offers, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)
CEMAC rules of origin and community customs rules apply to trade with the other five member states.
As of 2023, per the WTO review, no Central African company or product had been approved under the CEMAC origin system.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 16, 2023
Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
ECCAS texts form part of the national trade policy framework; ask customs whether an ECCAS preference applies to your product.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; no operational certificate route was found.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 16, 2023
European Union Everything but Arms
Goods that meet the origin rules can enter the European Union duty free and without quotas, except arms.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; check the European Union rules that apply from January 1, 2027.
Source: European Commission, Everything But Arms page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more agreements
United Kingdom's Developing Countries Trading Scheme
The Central African Republic is on the Comprehensive Preferences tier for goods entering the United Kingdom.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; origin rules apply to each product.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
AGOA
The United States' trade preference program for eligible African countries does not cover Central African goods for 2026.
Not designated as a beneficiary for 2026 in the Federal Register notice of June 30, 2026; check later designations.
Source: Federal Register, AGOA beneficiary notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
European Union-Central Africa Economic Partnership Agreement
The agreement applies only to Cameroon; Central African exporters use Everything but Arms instead.
Negotiations for a regional agreement began in 2003 and none covers the Central African Republic.
Source: European Commission, Central Africa EPA page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from the Central African Republic
- Register the business, get a tax identification number and enter the commercial register at the single window.Guichet Unique de Formalités des Entreprises (GUFE)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: GUFE, company creation procedure page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get the professional trader's card needed for import, export, wholesale and retail trade.Chambre de Commerce, d'Industrie, des Mines et de l'Artisanat (CCIMA); Ministère du Commerce et de l'IndustrieRevenue stamp of up to 30,000 CFA francs, by trade tax categoryOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 16, 2023
- Create an account on the customs portal edouanes and submit a transaction file for the commercial export declaration.Direction Générale des Douanes et des Droits Indirects (DGDDI)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Customs portal, declaration submission guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- For exports above 500,000 CFA francs, wait for the trade ministry to approve the declaration online, and pay the file fee at the Treasury cashier.Ministère du Commerce et de l'Industrie5,000 to 100,000 CFA francs by invoice value; processing within 48 hours of paymentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Trade ministry, declaration file fees order, June 2012 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of June 26, 2012
Show 5 more export steps
- For gold, precious stones and rough diamonds, get prior authorization and Kimberley Process certification before you export.Ministère des Mines et de la Géologie; Secrétariat Permanent du Processus de Kimberley (SPPK)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Mines ministry, Kimberley Process secretariat page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Have your bank domicile exports of 5 million CFA francs or more, and sign a firm exchange commitment to repatriate proceeds within 150 days.Commercial bank in the CEMAC zone; BEAC exchange rulesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CEMAC, Foreign exchange Regulation 02/18, December 2018 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of December 21, 2018
- Get a phytosanitary certificate for plant products before shipment.Ministère de l'Agriculture et du Développement RuralOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 16, 2023
- File the customs export declaration with the commercial invoice, dispatch note, packing list, certificate of origin and phytosanitary certificate.Direction Générale des Douanes et des Droits Indirects (DGDDI)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 16, 2023
- Pay the export duties and charges set for your product, and confirm the current rates with customs first.Direction Générale des Douanes et des Droits Indirects (DGDDI)As of 2023: exit duty of 1.25 percent on gold and 4 percent on sawn timberOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 16, 2023
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with MCI and DGDDI. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Get advice
Trade and industry ministry
MCI
Ministère du Commerce et de l'Industrie
Approves commercial export declarations online through the customs portal for exports above 500,000 CFA francs in value.
Visit MCI (opens in a new tab)Source: Customs portal, declaration process chart (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
ICASEES
Institut Centrafricain des Statistiques et des Etudes Economiques et Sociales
Publishes consumer price indexes and foreign trade statistics.
Visit ICASEES (opens in a new tab)Source: ICASEES, foreign trade statistics page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Research markets
Continental trade secretariat
AfCFTA Secretariat
Multilateral body
Publishes the AfCFTA e-Tariff Book and tracks how far each state party has progressed toward trading under the agreement.
Visit AfCFTA Secretariat (opens in a new tab)Source: AfCFTA Secretariat, status of tariff offers, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
DGDDI
Direction Générale des Douanes et des Droits Indirects
Runs the edouanes portal, where companies file declarations and look up the customs tariff.
Visit DGDDI (opens in a new tab)Source: Customs, edouanes portal home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Finance and tax ministry
MFB
Ministère des Finances et du Budget
Oversees the customs and tax directorates and publishes finance laws, tax exemption lists and public debt bulletins.
Visit MFB (opens in a new tab)Source: Finance ministry, customs and tax directorates page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
Regional community commission
CEMAC Commission
Commission de la CEMAC
Regional body
Publishes the CEMAC Customs Code and community texts for trade among its six member states.
Visit CEMAC Commission (opens in a new tab)Source: CEMAC Commission, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
Mining and geology ministry
MMG
Ministère des Mines et de la Géologie
Publishes the procedures guide and the mining and oil laws for operators who want to invest in those sectors.
Visit MMG (opens in a new tab)Source: Mines ministry, investing in mining and oil page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
Rough diamond certification secretariat
SPPK
Secrétariat Permanent du Processus de Kimberley
Oversees internal controls and certification of rough diamonds for export under the Kimberley Process.
Visit SPPK (opens in a new tab)Source: Mines ministry, Kimberley Process secretariat page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
CCIMA
Chambre de Commerce, d'Industrie, des Mines et de l'Artisanat
Prepares the professional trader's card with the trade ministry and runs a business formalities center.
Visit CCIMA (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 16, 2023
- Get advice
Private sector employers' association
GICA
Groupement Interprofessionnel de Centrafrique
Backed the practical guide to business laws produced by the joint public-private business climate forum.
Visit GICA (opens in a new tab)Source: Finance ministry, practical guide for businesses, 2020 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 8, 2020
6. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
Exchange rules require exports of 5 million CFA francs or more to be domiciled with a CEMAC bank, with proceeds repatriated within 150 days.
What to do: Agree payment terms with your buyer and your bank before you ship.
Source: CEMAC, Foreign exchange Regulation 02/18, December 2018 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Gold and diamond exports
Gold exports need prior authorization, and rough diamonds are exported under Kimberley Process controls run by a secretariat in the mines ministry.
What to do: Confirm your authorization, and whether the 2024 Mining Code changes who may export, with the mines ministry before you sign a sale contract.
Sources: Mines ministry, Kimberley Process secretariat page (in French) (opens in a new tab); CEMAC, Foreign exchange Regulation 02/18, December 2018 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Export duties and charges
As of 2023, per the WTO review, gold and diamond exports carried a 2.5 percent cargo tracking charge plus exit duties of 1.25 and 1.5 percent.
What to do: Confirm the current rates with customs before you price.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Rough wood export ban
As of 2023, per the WTO review, a CEMAC decision of September 18, 2020 banning rough wood exports had been delayed to January 1, 2023.
What to do: Confirm the current rough wood export rules with the forests ministry before you sign a log sale.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more
AGOA eligibility
The United States did not designate the Central African Republic as an AGOA beneficiary for 2026, according to the Federal Register notice of June 30, 2026.
What to do: Check current United States tariff treatment before you quote a price.
Source: Federal Register, AGOA beneficiary notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Logistics and border performance
As of 2020, per the WTO review, about 80 percent of officially imported goods by value passed through the port of Douala and along a 1,500 kilometer road to Bangui.
What to do: Confirm the current corridor conditions with your freight forwarder before you promise delivery dates.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review, Central African Republic annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Central African Republic project.
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Promote:Central African Republic is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.