Promote:
Export from Chad
A short guide for companies selling from Chad: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Chad sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
Merchandise exports were 1,270,963,326,387 CFA francs in 2025, in INSEED customs statistics, including re-exports.
Source: INSEED, foreign trade statistics 2025 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Visitor spendingEstimate
US$625.6 million
Services exports were US$625.64 million in 2025, flagged Estimated by UNCTADstat; this is a services total, not tourism receipts.
Source: UNCTADstat, Chad services exports, WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Crude petroleum (HS 2709)
- 2. Sesame and other oil seeds (HS 1207)
- 3. Live cattle (HS 0102)
- 4. Gold, unwrought (HS 7108)
- 5. Antimony (HS 8110)
- 6. Stamps, banknotes and securities (HS 4907)
- 7. Camels and other live animals (HS 0106)
- 8. Raw cotton (HS 5201)
Show 12 more products
- 9. Live sheep and goats (HS 0104)
- 10. Gum arabic and other natural gums (HS 1301)
- 11. Refined copper (HS 7403)
- 12. Cane or beet sugar (HS 1701)
- 13. Unrefined copper (HS 7402)
- 14. Polypropylene in primary forms (HS 3902)
- 15. Groundnuts (HS 1202)
- 16. Groundnut oil cake (HS 2305)
- 17. Horses, donkeys and mules (HS 0101)
- 18. Soap (HS 3401)
- 19. Aluminum scrap (HS 7602)
- 20. Iron and steel scrap (HS 7204)
- Crude petroleum is 85.0 percent of 2025 merchandise exports, so shares of other lines are small. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Chad's latest annual report to UN Comtrade covers 1995, so this ranking uses INSEED's national table of 2025 exports at four-digit level. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Prior-year columns are blank: INSEED's 2025 report revised the 2024 total to 1,460.0 billion CFA francs, from 1,493.6 billion, and has no 2024 product table. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Values are customs statistical values in CFA francs and include re-exports; INSEED notes that fraud and unrecorded flows over long borders are not estimated. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The annex table codes gold as 7113, jewelry; the report's 8-digit table shows the same value as unwrought gold, 7108, which this guide uses. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The annex lists 8.82 billion CFA francs under heading 4907 (stamps, banknotes, securities), though INSEED's trade system excludes banknotes; confirm with INSEED before you quote this line. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: INSEED, foreign trade statistics 2025 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- United Arab Emirates26.2%
- Malaysia23.4%
- Germany22%
- Netherlands10.6%
- China7%
- Cameroon4.2%
- Libya2.2%
- Nigeria1.1%
- Destinations are the last known destination recorded by customs; INSEED says the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands act as trading and logistics platforms. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: INSEED, foreign trade statistics 2025 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks sesame and other oil seeds, live cattle and camels and other live animals as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Chad’s top destinations overall.
Source: INSEED, foreign trade statistics 2025 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of May 8, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
The United Arab Emirates takes 26.2% of Chad’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: INSEED, foreign trade statistics 2025 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of May 8, 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)
Chad's goods can use AfCFTA tariff cuts once its schedule is gazetted and a product meets the origin rules.
As of July 2026, the Secretariat lists Chad as ratified, with a provisional tariff schedule adopted but not yet gazetted.
Source: AfCFTA Secretariat, status of tariff offers, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
CEMAC customs union
Goods of member-state origin move between the six member states under the union's common rules.
As of October 2026 ANIE's guide describes this union and the new CEEAC tariff; ask customs which tariff applies.
Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
CEEAC common external tariff
The community's tariff, with rates from 0 to 40 percent, applies from January 1, 2026; origin rules decide duty-free movement.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; the guide says the origin rules are the deciding factor.
Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Everything But Arms
Chad's goods enter the European Union without tariffs or quotas, except arms and ammunition.
As of October 30, 2026, a rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; new GSP rules apply from January 1, 2027.
Source: European Commission, Access2Markets, Everything but Arms list (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more agreements
United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme
Chad's goods qualify for the scheme's comprehensive preferences when they meet its origin rules.
As of October 30, 2026, Chad is in the comprehensive tier; tiers change when reviewed.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023
AGOA
Eligible goods from Chad can enter the United States without the general duty, if they meet AGOA's rules.
As of October 30, 2026, Chad is on the 2026 list and Public Law 119-103 extends the program to December 31, 2028; other United States tariffs may still apply. Check the current rate before you price.
Source: Federal Register, AGOA eligibility review notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Chad
- Enter your company in the importers and exporters file, and ask that its trade register entry show import-export.Ministère du Commerce et de l'IndustrieOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Open a bank account and have each export of 5 million CFA francs or more domiciled with an approved bank.Banque domiciliataire agrééeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CEMAC, foreign exchange regulation 02/18 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of December 21, 2018
- Ask a customs broker to file the export declaration with customs, with the invoice and transport document.Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits IndirectsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Request a certificate of origin from the chamber of commerce when your buyer or a preference scheme needs one.Chambre de Commerce, d'Industrie, d'Agriculture, des Mines et de l'ArtisanatOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 4 more export steps
- Check the national or international standard that applies to your product with the national standards agency.Agence Tchadienne de NormalisationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: FAOLEX scan, Chad standards law 2014 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2014
- For live animals, meat and plants, get the sanitary or phytosanitary certificate the buyer requires before shipping.Services VétérinairesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Bring the export proceeds back through your bank within 150 days of the export.Banque domiciliataire agréée150 daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CEMAC, foreign exchange regulation 02/18 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of December 21, 2018
- Check how VAT zero-rating on exports applies to you, and whether Charter regime C for exporters suits your project.Ministère du Commerce et de l'IndustrieOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with ANIE, DGDDI and INSEED. 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
Investment and export promotion agency
ANIE
Agence Nationale des Investissements et des Exportations
Promotes investment and exports, and runs the one-stop shop where a company is registered.
Visit ANIE (opens in a new tab)Source: ANIE, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
INSEED
Institut National de la Statistique, des Études Économiques et Démographiques
Publishes foreign trade, consumer price and national accounts statistics for Chad.
Visit INSEED (opens in a new tab)Source: INSEED, foreign trade statistics 2025 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of May 8, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
Trade and industry ministry
Commerce and Industry Ministry
Ministère du Commerce et de l'Industrie
Keeps the importers and exporters file and handles applications for investment Charter regimes.
- Research markets
Continental free trade secretariat
AfCFTA Secretariat
Multilateral body
Publishes the status of members' tariff schedules under the continental free trade area.
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 and indirect duties authority
DGDDI
Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects
Handles customs duty exemptions on equipment and the export declaration for goods leaving Chad.
Visit DGDDI (opens in a new tab)Source: ANIE, business environment page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
DGI
Direction Générale des Impôts
Issues the tax identification number and manages tax returns for companies in Chad.
Visit DGI (opens in a new tab)Source: ANIE, business environment page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Research markets
Regional economic community
CEEAC
Communauté Économique des États de l'Afrique Centrale
Regional body
Runs the central African common external tariff that applies from January 1, 2026.
Visit CEEAC (opens in a new tab)Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Regional customs and monetary union
CEMAC
Communauté Économique et Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale
Regional body
Sets the customs union rules and common exchange regulation that apply in Chad.
Visit CEMAC (opens in a new tab)Source: CEMAC Commission, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Shippers' council
COC-Tchad
Conseil des Chargeurs du Tchad
Issues the electronic cargo tracking note (BESC) and assists shippers on the transit corridors to the sea.
Visit COC-Tchad (opens in a new tab)Source: COC-Tchad, cargo tracking note page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Regional central bank
BEAC
Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale
Regional body
Issues the CFA franc and sets the exchange rules for exports, export proceeds and direct investment.
Visit BEAC (opens in a new tab)Source: BEAC, foreign exchange policy page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
National standards agency
ATNOR
Agence Tchadienne de Normalisation
Develops and adopts national standards for products, goods and services in Chad.
Visit ATNOR (opens in a new tab)Source: FAOLEX scan, Chad standards law 2014 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2014
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Telecom and postal regulator
ARCEP
Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes
Issues licenses for electronic communications and monitors service quality.
Visit ARCEP (opens in a new tab)Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
CCIAMA
Chambre de Commerce, d'Industrie, d'Agriculture, des Mines et de l'Artisanat
Issues certificates of origin and mediates commercial disputes between companies.
Visit CCIAMA (opens in a new tab)Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Employers' federation
CNPT
Conseil National du Patronat Tchadien
Speaks for private-sector companies and takes part in national economic planning.
Visit CNPT (opens in a new tab)Source: CNPT, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
Exports of 5 million CFA francs or more must be domiciled with an approved bank, and proceeds must return within 150 days, under the central African exchange regulation.
What to do: Ask your bank about domiciliation before you sign a sales contract.
Sources: CEMAC, foreign exchange regulation 02/18 (in French) (opens in a new tab); ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Logistics and border performance
Chad is landlocked; the main sea route is a 1,700 to 1,800 kilometer road from Douala, and ANIE's guide reports observed transit of five to fifteen days.
What to do: Get a freight quote and transit estimate before you commit to a delivery date.
Sources: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab); International Trade Administration (United States), Chad customs (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Origin rules, new tariff
ANIE's guide says the central African common external tariff applies from January 1, 2026, and the share of local processing decides whether goods move duty-free.
What to do: Check the origin rule for your product before you claim a preference.
Source: ANIE, investor guide for Chad, October 2026 (in French) (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 Chad project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Chad 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.