0:00How do you verify an agent?
0:02Before you hand over cargo, or money.
0:06A legitimate customs broker in Cameroon holds a CEMAC-level accreditation as a
0:11customs commissioner, is registered with the tax authority,
0:16the Direction Générale des Impôts,
0:19and holds the national transport-and-transit licence.
0:23A legitimate freight forwarder needs a registered office,
0:27demonstrable financial capacity to advance clearance costs on your behalf,
0:33and, for sea freight,
0:35a representative presence at the arrival port: Douala,
0:39or increasingly Kribi.
0:42Before you commit a shipment to any agent,
0:45ask to see their customs broker agreement.
0:48Ask for their business registration.
0:50If in doubt,
0:51verify with Cameroon Customs or the GUCE office that the agreement is current,
0:57since licences can lapse or be revoked.
1:01Be especially cautious of unlicensed individuals who approach importers at the
1:06port, offering to speed up clearance for an unofficial fee.
1:11Using one exposes you to fraud,
1:14loss of your goods, and legal liability for irregular clearance,
1:18with no real recourse if something goes wrong.
1:23Check the licence first.