Central African Republic: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeUN arms embargo and targeted listings.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 20 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Central African Republic.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

A sanctions programme concerning Central African Republic is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.

Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Central African Republic (25 Mar 2025) · UN Security Council — Sanctions (15 active regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · SECO — Sanktionsverordnungen (index of 28 Swiss regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

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By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	Sanctions programme	Arms embargo and listings — implemented by UN member states in their own law.
EU	Sanctions programme	Implements the UN measures.
Switzerland	Sanctions programme	Implements the UN measures.
UK	Sanctions programme	Implements the UN measures.
US	Sanctions programme	Implements the UN measures.

On the sanctions lists

20 entries on the official lists name Central African Republic — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	9	9	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	6	6	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	2	2	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	2	2	—	—
UN Security Council Consolidated List	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Central African Republic recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Central African Republic: logistics and trade

Landlocked Central African country, exporting raw materials (diamonds/gold/timber); foreign trade mainly via the Douala-Bangui corridor.

The Central African Republic (ISO code: CF) is located in the geographical center of Africa and borders Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo. Politically, the country is classified as a fragile state and is characterized by recurring internal conflicts and limited state control. The climate is predominantly tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons, which affects agricultural and logistical planning. Economically, the Central African Republic has significant natural resource reserves, particularly diamonds, gold, and timber, although their extraction is limited. The logistical capacity is weak, as the country has no direct access to the sea and heavily depends on transit corridors through neighboring states. In foreign trade, the export of primary goods plays a central role, while processed products hold little significance. The dependency on imports is high, especially for food, fuels, machinery, and consumer goods. A transit function exists mainly as a landlocked state within Central Africa, but is limited by poor infrastructure. The national currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF).

Capital: Bangui
Population: 5,330,690
Area: 622,984 km²
Currency: CFA Franc (BEAC) (XAF)
Continent: Africa
Region: Central Africa (CEMAC)
Economic area: CEMAC customs union / ECCAS / AfCFTA
Religions: Christianity, Islam
Access to the sea: Landlocked

Transport modes Road · Air

Current situation: The Douala-Bangui corridor (about 1'400 km) carries over 80 percent of foreign trade; transit usually takes 9 to 12 days. The World Bank corridor programme 2024 (about 1,12 bn USD) is meant to improve it.
Seasonal conditions: Rainy season from about May to October makes unpaved tracks temporarily impassable; in the dry season the water level of the Oubangui falls and restricts river navigation.

Main cargo airports

Berbérati AirportBBT
Berbérati (BBT/FEFT), Central African Republic: regional and relief flights, no cargo terminal or customs. Air freight via Bangui (BGF), road via Douala.

Road corridors

Douala–Garoua-Boulaï–Beloko–Bangui (main corridor via Cameroon, about 1'400 km)
Bangui–Bossangoa–Chad
Bangui–Bangassou (east)
Kribi–Bangui (alternative)

Rail corridors

No dedicated rail network; rail link via the Transcamerounais (Douala–Ngaoundéré), followed by road

Inland ports

Port fluvial de Bangui (Oubangui)

Main trade lanes

Douala (Cameroon) – Bangui
Kribi (Cameroon) – Bangui
Pointe-Noire/Brazzaville – Bangui (Oubangui River)

Customs and import

Customs authority Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI)

Import customs system: CEMAC customs union; imports under the Common External Tariff (TEC) with bands of 5/10/20/30 percent. Electronic clearance via ASYCUDA/SYDONIA of the DGDDI.
Export customs system: Export declaration to the DGDDI via ASYCUDA/SYDONIA. Main exports are diamonds (Kimberley Process), gold, tropical timber and cotton.
Import VAT: Standard VAT rate 19 percent on customs value plus import duty; reduced rate 5 percent (incl. basic foodstuffs); exports at zero rate; gold and diamonds partly exempt.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Duty-free trade within CEMAC with proof of origin. AfCFTA ratified. Duty-free EU market access as LDC via Everything But Arms (REX); no agreement with Switzerland/EFTA.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Licence requirements apply to, among others, weapons, ammunition and narcotics; rough diamonds only under the Kimberley Process; CITES species (incl. ivory) and cultural property regulated.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Waybill / Bill of lading
Certificate of origin
Import licence (if required)
Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons (BSC)
Veterinary/phytosanitary certificates (if required)

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Export declaration (DGDDI/SYDONIA)
Certificate of origin (CEMAC/AfCFTA)
Kimberley certificate (diamonds)
Waybill

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: High
Customs delays: High
Dangerous goods relevance: Low to medium
E-commerce relevance: Very low

Trade

Top import partners

Cameroon France China Belgium Congo

Top export partners

France Belgium United Arab Emirates China Cameroon

Top import goods

Food
Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Construction materials

Top export goods

Diamonds
Gold
Timber
Cotton

Typical cargo

Diamonds
Gold
Tropical timber
Cotton
Coffee
Food (imports)
Petroleum products (imports)
Machinery and vehicles
Consumer goods

Logistics questions

Does the Central African Republic have its own seaport?

No. The country is a purely landlocked state without access to the sea. Foreign trade runs mainly via the port of Douala in Cameroon; additionally there is the river port of Bangui on the Oubangui.

Via which corridor do imports reach the country?

The main route is the corridor of about 1'400 km from the port of Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui. More than 80 percent of foreign trade runs along it; transit time is usually 9 to 12 days.

What is the import VAT (TVA) rate?

The standard VAT rate is 19 percent on the customs value plus import duty. A reduced rate of 5 percent applies to certain basic foodstuffs; exports are at the zero rate.

Which customs tariff applies in the Central African Republic?

As a CEMAC member, the country applies the Common External Tariff (TEC) with bands of 5, 10, 20 and 30 percent. In addition, community levies and other fees apply.

Is there a railway?

No, the Central African Republic has no rail network. The rail connection is indirect, via Cameroon's Transcamerounais (Douala–Ngaoundéré), and then by truck.

What role do diamonds play in exports?

Diamonds are an important export good and are subject to the Kimberley Process; a Kimberley certificate is required for export. Gold, tropical timber and cotton are also among the main exports.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗