Cameroon Air Cargo Clearance: CNSC Launches New Investigation into Airport Delays
Cameroon air cargo clearance is once again under examination following a new investigation launched by the National Shippers’ Council (CNSC). The initiative focuses on administrative bottlenecks, procedural delays and reported irregularities affecting the movement of imported and exported goods through Douala International Airport and Yaounde-Nsimalen International Airport.
The investigation revisits concerns raised by freight operators in 2025 and seeks to establish whether the challenges identified during earlier consultations have been addressed. For importers, exporters and logistics companies, efficient Cameroon air cargo clearance is essential to controlling transportation costs, avoiding unnecessary storage expenses and maintaining reliable supply chains.
CNSC Investigates Cameroon Air Cargo Clearance Procedures
In a statement signed on October 6, 2026, CNSC General Manager Auguste Mbappe Penda announced that the investigation would run from October 6 to 31, 2026. The exercise is being conducted by the Council’s Transport Observatory.
The Council has invited importers, exporters, freight forwarders, licensed customs brokers, airlines and public administrations to report difficulties encountered when clearing goods entering or leaving the country.
Through this initiative, the CNSC intends to gather information on the practical challenges affecting air cargo clearance in Cameroon and identify areas requiring administrative or operational improvements.
Previous Consultations Identified Major Clearance Bottlenecks
The latest investigation follows a meeting held in Douala in March 2025. Participants included representatives of the Directorate General of Customs, inspection company SGS, DHL and other shipping industry stakeholders.
The discussions identified several problems affecting Cameroon air cargo clearance, including delays in issuing import valuation and tariff classification reports. Participants also highlighted slow processing of applications submitted without these documents and recurring disagreements between Customs and SGS regarding the valuation of imported goods.
These issues can create uncertainty for importers and freight forwarders, particularly when shipments remain at airport warehouses while administrative requirements are being resolved.
Recommendations to Improve Air Cargo Clearance in Cameroon
During the March 2025 meeting, stakeholders proposed several measures to improve Cameroon air cargo clearance and reduce unnecessary delays.
One recommendation was to introduce a fast-track channel for eligible shipments. Participants also encouraged importers to submit declarations in advance, allowing relevant authorities more time to review shipment information before cargo arrives.
Another proposal involved clarifying documentation requirements for postal and courier shipments. Clearer procedures could reduce incomplete submissions, repeated applications and misunderstandings among businesses and clearance professionals.
The stakeholders also agreed to assess progress on the recommendations within three months and establish a permanent consultation framework. However, available information does not confirm which measures have since been implemented.
Airport Warehouse Dwell Times Highlight Import Challenges
Figures from the second quarter of 2025 provide further insight into cargo handling conditions at Cameroon’s airports.
Imported goods spent an average of eight days in airport warehouses, compared with 7.8 days during the same period in 2024. Export cargo, on the other hand, recorded an average warehouse dwell time of 29 hours, down from 31 hours a year earlier.
Although these figures do not represent customs processing time alone, they provide an indication of the time cargo spends within airport facilities. They also reinforce the importance of addressing administrative and operational factors that influence Cameroon air cargo clearance.
Why Efficient Cameroon Air Cargo Clearance Matters
Efficient Cameroon air cargo clearance is important for businesses that rely on international shipments, particularly those handling time-sensitive, high-value or specialised goods.
Extended clearance procedures can increase storage costs, disrupt inventory management and affect delivery commitments. Freight forwarders and customs brokers must also coordinate with airlines, inspection companies and public authorities to ensure that shipment documentation and regulatory requirements are satisfied.
Improving air freight clearance in Cameroon therefore requires effective communication, transparent documentation requirements and stronger coordination among the institutions and businesses involved in international trade.
What the CNSC Investigation Could Mean for the Logistics Sector
The investigation scheduled for October 6–31, 2026, offers another opportunity for Cameroon’s shipping community to communicate its concerns and contribute to discussions on improving airport cargo operations.
The information collected could help the CNSC determine whether the problems raised in 2025 remain unresolved and identify additional measures that may be needed. The participation of importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs brokers, airlines and public administrations will be important in developing a comprehensive picture of the situation.
For businesses involved in international trade, improvements in Cameroon air cargo clearance could support more predictable shipment handling, better cost management and more efficient supply chain operations.
Global Africa Logistics (GAL) continues to monitor developments affecting freight forwarding, customs procedures and international cargo movements in Cameroon and across Africa.
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