Car Shipping from the UK to Cameroon — Port of Douala
- Fast Information
- Cost starts from: £990
- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
- Frequency of sailing: Twice a Month
Ship Cars Ltd ships vehicles from the UK to Cameroon via the Port of Douala, with approximately 20-22 days transit and two sailings per month. RoRo starts from £990. Cameroon drives on the right — only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be registered for road use. An 8-year vehicle age limit applies. A mandatory CNCC/BIVAC pre-shipment inspection in the UK is required before departure. We handle all UK export documentation.
What Are Your Car Shipping Options: RORO vs. Container
At Ship Cars Ltd , we offer a range of vehicle shipping options, from Roll on Roll Off (RoRo) which is highly cost effective and container shipping that includes; Full Container Load (FCL) when shipping luxury, electric or hybrid cars.
Left-Hand Drive Vehicles Only
Cameroon drives on the right side of the road. Only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be imported for road registration. UK-registered vehicles are right-hand drive and cannot be registered for road use in Cameroon. All vehicles shipped to Douala must be LHD. UK car traders exporting to the Central African market should confirm their vehicles are LHD-specification before booking.
What Your Car Shipping Service Includes
When you book your Douala shipment with shipcars.co.uk, our comprehensive service covers:
-
Origin port charges and handling fees in the UK.
-
Ocean freight on reliable carrier lines directly to the Port of Douala.
-
Essential documentation, including the Bill of Lading.
-
Expert support and tracking from collection to departure.
Please Note: Cameroonian import duties, taxes, customs clearance fees, and all local port/agent charges are not included in our shipping quote. These are payable directly to the Cameroonian Customs Directorate (Direction Générale des Douanes) and your appointed agent in Douala.
What Pre-Shipment Inspection Does Cameroon Require?
Cameroon mandates a mandatory pre-shipment inspection for all imported vehicles, conducted in the UK before the vehicle sails. This is the CNCC (Centre National de Contrôle de Conformité) programme. Approved agencies include Cotecna, Bureau Veritas (BIVAC), and SGS.
What the inspection verifies:
-
Vehicle age and date of first registration (must be within 8 years)
-
Vehicle identity — VIN/chassis number confirmed against documents
-
Declared vehicle value — used to calculate import duties at Douala
-
Physical condition and roadworthiness
How to arrange:
Contact Cotecna, Bureau Veritas, or SGS after booking your Ship Cars Ltd shipment. The inspection is conducted at an approved UK facility. On completion, the agency issues a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate that is a mandatory customs document at Douala Port. Your Douala clearing agent cannot release the vehicle without it.
Timeline: Allow 5–10 working days from booking. Arrange inspection before confirming your sailing date to avoid delays.
Cost: Charged directly by the inspection agency — not included in the Ship Cars Ltd shipping price.
Cameroon Import Rules: Key Regulations
Compliance with Cameroonian customs regulations is essential. Key rules include:
-
Vehicle Age Limit: Cameroon has an 8-year age limit from the date of first registration. Importing vehicles older than eight years is generally prohibited.
-
Right-Hand Drive: Cameroon drives on the right. Only left-hand drive vehicles are permitted for import.
-
Import Duties & Taxes: Taxes are significant and calculated based on the vehicle’s CIF value, engine size, and age. They include Customs Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), and other fiscal levies. The total tax burden is a major cost factor.
-
Pre-Shipment Inspection: A mandatory pre-shipment inspection by an approved company (e.g., Cotecna, Bureau Veritas) is required. This verifies the vehicle’s condition, age, and value before it leaves the UK.
-
Temporary Import: A carnet de passage may be used for temporary import by tourists, but the vehicle must be exported afterwards.
UK Export Documentation (Before the Vehicle Sails):
-
V5C logbook (original — do not leave inside vehicle)
-
Passport copy — photo page of vehicle owner
-
Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement under 3 months old
-
Purchase invoice or proof of ownership
-
Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate — obtained from Cotecna, Bureau Veritas, or SGS in UK before vehicle sails. Mandatory — cannot be arranged after departure
-
Completed Ship Cars Ltd booking form
Ship Cars Ltd manages the UK export customs declaration on your behalf.
Bilingual Documentation Note:
Cameroon is a bilingual country (French and English). UK documents (V5C, passport, purchase invoice) are accepted, but all customs declarations and port correspondence will be in French. Ensure your Douala clearing agent (transitaire agréé) is experienced with UK import paperwork and bilingual in French and English.
Essential Import Documents Checklist
You or your appointed clearing agent in Douala will require these original documents:
-
Original Bill of Lading.
-
Original Vehicle Title (V5C Logbook for UK vehicles).
-
Commercial Invoice stating the purchase price.
-
Certificate of Marine Insurance.
-
Copy of Your Passport.
-
Mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Report (from an approved agency).
-
Freight Certificate/Invoice.
-
Valid Cameroonian Customs Broker License (held by your clearing agent).
Crucial Advice: Engaging a reputable, licensed customs clearing agent (transitaire agréé) in Douala is highly recommended and often essential. They will manage the complex duty calculation, tax payment, and all port clearance procedures on your behalf.
What Import Duty and Taxes Will I Pay in Cameroon?
Cameroon’s vehicle import taxes are calculated by the Direction Générale des Douanes based on CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight), engine capacity, and age. The total tax burden is substantial:
-
Customs Duty: Typically 30–35% of CIF value for passenger vehicles (varies by tariff code)
-
VAT (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée): 19.25% applied on CIF value plus duty
-
CFCE (Community Integration Tax): Applied under CEMAC regional tariff rules
-
Port and inspection fees: Payable at Douala Port — separate from import duties
These figures are indicative and subject to change. Verify current duty rates with your Douala clearing agent or the Direction Générale des Douanes before importing.
Cost & Transit Summary
Here is a clear overview for shipping a standard small car to Douala.
Shipping Cost (Example) |
From £950 for a small car via RORO (all-inclusive of our listed services). |
Insurance |
Marine Insurance: Total Loss cover: 1% of declared vehicle value. Comprehensive cover: 1.5% of vehicle value. Comprehensive cover recommended |
Total Transit Time |
Approximately 25 days from UK departure port to arrival in Douala. |
Sailing Frequency |
Regular sailings, with vessels departing 2 times per month. |
Collection Service |
Our flexible and secured collection services include Trade Plate-Insured driven service as well as transporter or recovery options. |
Local Taxes & Duties |
Payable in Cameroon. This includes all import duties, VAT, the pre-shipment inspection fee, and agent/port fees. |
FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Cameroon?
Shipping a car from the UK to Douala, Cameroon via RoRo starts from £990 for a standard small car. This covers UK port to Port of Douala sea freight only. Cameroonian customs duty (approximately 30–35%), VAT (19.25%), pre-shipment inspection fees, port handling charges, and clearing agent fees are all payable separately in Cameroon.
Q: How long does car shipping from the UK to Cameroon take?
Transit from the UK to Port of Douala takes approximately 20-22 days, with two sailings per month. Including UK collection and pre-shipment inspection, and allowing for Cameroonian customs clearance after arrival, allow 6–8 weeks total from booking to your vehicle being available in Douala.
Q: Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Cameroon?
No. Cameroon drives on the right and only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be registered for road use. UK vehicles are right-hand drive and cannot be registered in Cameroon. Confirm your vehicle is LHD before booking any shipment.
Q: What pre-shipment inspection does Cameroon require?
Cameroon requires a mandatory CNCC pre-shipment inspection before the vehicle leaves the UK, conducted by Cotecna, Bureau Veritas (BIVAC), or SGS. This produces a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate that is a mandatory customs document at Douala Port — without it the vehicle cannot be cleared. Allow 5–10 working days. Arrange the inspection before confirming your sailing date.
Q: What is the vehicle age limit for importing to Cameroon?
Cameroon enforces an 8-year age limit from the date of first registration. Vehicles registered before 2018 are generally ineligible from 2026 onward. Verify your vehicle’s eligibility before purchasing or booking shipment — the pre-shipment inspection will confirm compliance.
Ship Your Car With Ship Cars Ltd
Shipping your vehicle to Douala, Cameroon with Ship Cars Ltd is a straightforward process when you have the right information. Our RoRo service to Douala is designed to be efficient and cost-effective. Always remember the strict age and condition requirements for vehicles, and ensure all documentation, including the the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (obtained from Cotecna or Bureau Veritas before your vehicle sails), is in order. For a personalised quote and to discuss your specific shipping needs.
Ready to Get a Precise Quote? Contact us today for further information or visit our sailing schedule and get an instant quote to schedule your car shipping with us today with your vehicle’s details and requirements for a straightforward, fixed-price quotation and personalized support for your shipment to Douala.
We also provide efficient and reliable car shipping services to:
