# Gabon (GA)

**Capital:** Libreville  
**Currency:** CFA Franc (BEAC) (XAF) (XAF)  
**Population:** 2,538,952 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 267,668 km²

> Gabon is a Central African coastal country on the Gulf of Guinea and an important resource and transit hub for the region. Its economy relies mainly on oil, manganese (one of the world's largest outputs) and timber. Foreign trade and customs run within the CEMAC customs union with a common external tariff, handled by the Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes (DGDDI); import VAT is 18 percent. The logistics backbone consists of the port of Owendo near Libreville (containers and manganese), the oil port of Port-Gentil, Léon-Mba International Airport and the Trans-Gabon railway from the Moanda manganese mines to the coast. The currency is the CFA Franc BEAC (XAF), pegged to the euro.

Gabon (ISO code: GA) is located in Central Africa on the Gulf of Guinea and borders Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Politically the country is a presidential republic; following the 2023 coup and the 2025 election, the administration is in a consolidation phase. The climate is equatorial, characterized by high temperatures, high humidity and distinct rainy seasons along the coast and in the rainforest. Economically, Gabon plays an important role in raw material production, particularly oil, manganese and timber, while agriculture and services make supplementary contributions. Foreign trade is central: exports consist mainly of oil, manganese and processed wood, while the country is highly dependent on imports for industrial goods, food and energy. Strategically located ports such as Owendo and Port-Gentil secure the transit and logistics function for supplying the country and regional markets. The national currency is the CFA Franc BEAC (XAF), pegged to the euro, which enables stable trade and financial transactions. Customs and foreign trade operate within the CEMAC customs union through the DGDDI.

**Top Import Partners:** FR, CN, BE, US, KR

**Top Export Partners:** CN, US, FR, IT, KR

**Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Vehicles, Food, Consumer goods, Construction materials

**Top Export Goods:** Crude oil, Manganese, Timber, Crude oil derivatives, Gold

**Key Airports:**
- [Bitam Airport (BMM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bitam-airport-bmm)
- [Koulamoutou Mabimbi Airport (KOU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/koulamoutou-mabimbi-airport-kou)
- [Lambarene Airport (LBQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/lambarene-airport-lbq)
- [Libreville Leon M'ba International Airport (LBV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/libreville-leon-mba-international-airport-lbv)
- [M'Vengue El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba International Airport (MVB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mvengue-el-hadj-omar-bongo-ondimba-international-airport-mvb)
- [Makokou Airport (MKU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/makokou-airport-mku)
- [Mouilla Ville Airport (MJL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mouilla-ville-airport-mjl)
- [Okondja Airport (OKN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/okondja-airport-okn)
- [Omboue Hospital Airport (OMB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/omboue-hospital-airport-omb)
- [Oyem Airport (OYE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/oyem-airport-oye)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Standard import VAT rate of 18 percent on the CIF value plus customs duty, collected by the tax administration (DGI). Reduced or zero rates apply to certain goods.  
**Customs complexity:** medium to high  
**Customs system:** CEMAC customs union with a common external tariff (TEC); four bands from 5 to 30 percent depending on the product category. Customs clearance is handled by the DGDDI, with electronic processing being expanded.  
**Customs authority:** [Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI)](https://douanes.ga)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Commodity exporter, central Africa's hub for oil and manganese  
**Economic area:** CEMAC (customs union)  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium (petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals)  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### What is the import tax (VAT) in Gabon?

The standard VAT rate is 18 percent and is charged on the CIF value plus customs duty. The tax administration (DGI) is responsible. Reduced or zero rates apply to certain goods.

### Which customs tariff applies to imports into Gabon?

Gabon belongs to the CEMAC customs union and applies the common external tariff (TEC), with four bands from 5 to 30 percent depending on the product category. Customs clearance is handled by the DGDDI.

### What are Gabon's main ports?

Owendo near Libreville is the main multipurpose and container port and also handles manganese. Port-Gentil is the central oil port, and the smaller port of Mayumba also exists.

### How is manganese transported from Moanda?

Manganese is transported by the Transgabon railway (Transgabonais) from Franceville/Moanda to the port of Owendo and shipped from there. The railway is the logistical backbone of raw material exports.

### Which currency is used in Gabon?

Gabon uses the CFA franc BEAC (XAF), issued by the central bank BEAC. It is pegged to the euro (1 euro = 655,957 XAF), which enables stable trade and financial transactions.

### Is it permitted to export unprocessed roundwood from Gabon?

No. Since 2010 there has been an export ban on unprocessed roundwood. Processed wood is promoted, including through the Nkok special economic zone near Libreville.

### Is Gabon affected by international sanctions?

There are no comprehensive international trade sanctions against Gabon. The suspension by the African Union following the 2023 coup was lifted on 30 April 2025.

### Which documents are required for import?

Typical documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, the DGDDI import declaration, and a certificate of origin, and where applicable inspection or conformity certificates.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://douanes.ga](https://douanes.ga)
- [https://dgi.ga](https://dgi.ga)
- [https://beac.int](https://beac.int)
- [https://dgi.ga/imposition-des-personnes-morales/taxes-sur-le-chiffre-daffaires/tva/](https://dgi.ga/imposition-des-personnes-morales/taxes-sur-le-chiffre-daffaires/tva/)
- [https://www.douanes.ga/medias/documents/15/la-fiscalite-douaniere](https://www.douanes.ga/medias/documents/15/la-fiscalite-douaniere)
- [https://douanes.ga/med/pdf/tarif-des-douanes-de-la-cemac-version-originale-pdf-210608020644.pdf](https://douanes.ga/med/pdf/tarif-des-douanes-de-la-cemac-version-originale-pdf-210608020644.pdf)
- [https://www.bceao.int/en/content/history-cfa-franc](https://www.bceao.int/en/content/history-cfa-franc)
- [https://africacenter.org/spotlight/2025-elections/gabon/](https://africacenter.org/spotlight/2025-elections/gabon/)

*Last verified: 2026-06-23*

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