🇹🇬 Import Customs & Duties: Togo
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$50
Packages under $50, duty free
VAT / Sales Tax
15%
CIF value + duty. TVA at 18% on most imports. ECOWAS statistical levy 1%, community solidarity levy 0.8% also apply.
Clearance Time
3-7 days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 5-20% (ECOWAS CET) | 85 |
| Clothing | 20-35% (ECOWAS CET) | 61-62 |
| Footwear | 20-35% | 64 |
| Food & Beverages | 0-35% (ECOWAS CET) | 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-5% | 84 |
| Cosmetics | 20% | 33 |
| Books | 0% | 49 |
| Toys & Games | 10-20% | 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Customs Clearance Process
Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR) manages customs. ECOWAS CET applies with 5 bands: 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 35%. TVA (VAT) at 18% on imports. Port of Lome is a MAJOR regional hub, serves landlocked Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. SYDONIA (ASYCUDA) electronic system. CFA franc (XOF) currency, pegged to euro. French documentation required.
What to Actually Expect
Port of Lome is a STRATEGIC regional hub, only deep-water port in West Africa that can handle large container ships, serving landlocked Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This makes Togo a transit trade powerhouse. ECOWAS CET with 5 bands plus 18% TVA. DHL and FedEx operate in Lome. Postal mail 2-3 weeks. Zone Franche (Lome Free Zone) allows duty-free import for re-export. CFA franc provides stability. Customs reasonably efficient at the port due to high volumes. Re-export/transit trade is a major part of the economy.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
Required for firearms, pharmaceuticals, chemicals. French documentation essential. Pre-shipment inspection for some categories. Lome port free trade zone (Zone Franche) offers special import regimes for re-export businesses.
Certificate of Origin
ECOWAS certificate for regional trade. Issued by Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Togo (CCIT). EU-West Africa EPA (interim) for some preferential access.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Popular routes to Togo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Togo?
The duty-free (de minimis) threshold for imports into Togo is $50. Goods valued below this amount are exempt from customs duties.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Togo?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Togo is 15%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. TVA at 18% on most imports. ECOWAS statistical levy 1%, community solidarity levy 0.8% also apply.
How long does customs clearance take in Togo?
Typical customs clearance in Togo takes 3-7 days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Togo?
To import into Togo, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Togo?
Togo prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.