# Togo (TG)

**Capital:** Lomé  
**Currency:** CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF) (XOF)  
**Population:** 9,515,236 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 56,785 km²

> Togo is a West African logistics hub on the Gulf of Guinea. The deep-water port of Lomé with the Lomé Container Terminal (around 2,06 million TEU in 2024) is among the five largest container ports in Africa and is the leading transshipment hub in the region. Via the Lomé-Ouagadougou corridor, Togo supplies the Sahel landlocked countries Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. Customs clearance runs electronically via SYDONIA World of the OTR; the ECOWAS common external tariff and 18 percent import VAT apply.

Togo lies in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, bordering Ghana, Burkina Faso and Benin. Its economy rests on agriculture (cotton, cocoa, coffee), phosphate mining and, above all, trade and logistics. The deepwater Port of Lomé is one of the few natural deep harbours on the West African coast and, with the Lomé Container Terminal, a leading transshipment hub serving the landlocked Sahel states Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso as well as northern Nigeria. Customs are administered by the Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR) and run fully electronically on SYDONIA World. As a member of UEMOA and ECOWAS, Togo applies the ECOWAS common external tariff; the currency is the CFA franc BCEAO (XOF), pegged to the euro.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, FR, IN, BE, NL

**Top Export Partners:** BF, IN, ML, BJ, DE

**Top Import Goods:** Petroleum products, Machinery, Vehicles, Food, Chemicals

**Top Export Goods:** Phosphates, Cotton, Cocoa, Coffee

**Key Airports:**
- [Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/lometokoin-international-airport-lfw)
- [Niamtougou International Airport (LRL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/niamtougou-international-airport-lrl)
- [Akpaka Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/akpaka-airport-dxak)
- [Djangou Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/djangou-airport-dxdp)
- [Kolokope Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kolokope-airport-dxkp)
- [Sansanné-Mango Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/sansanne-mango-airport-dxmg)
- [Sokodé Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/sokode-airport-dxsk)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Standard rate 18 percent (uniform) on CIF plus import duty  
**Customs complexity:** medium  
**Customs system:** SYDONIA World (ASYCUDA World); fully digitalised since Jan. 2019, lodging through licensed customs agents is mandatory (otr.tg).  
**Customs authority:** [Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR) - Commissariat des Douanes et Droits Indirects](https://www.otr.tg)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Transit country / transshipment hub for the Sahel landlocked countries  
**Economic area:** UEMOA / ECOWAS customs union / AfCFTA  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** low to medium

## FAQ

### Which import taxes apply in Togo?

A uniform VAT rate of 18 percent applies to the CIF value plus import duty. In addition, the ECOWAS common external tariff applies, as well as excise duties and statistical fees where applicable.

### What is the import duty rate in Togo?

Togo applies the ECOWAS common external tariff (CET) with five bands: 0, 5, 10, 20 and 35 percent, depending on the type of goods. Within ECOWAS/UEMOA, trade is duty-free with a valid proof of origin.

### Which system is used for customs clearance in Togo?

Customs clearance is carried out fully electronically via SYDONIA World (ASYCUDA World) of the Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR). Declarations must be submitted through licensed customs agents.

### Why is the port of Lomé so important?

Lomé is one of the few natural deep-water ports in West Africa (draft up to 18,6 m) and can handle the largest container ships. With around 2,06 million TEU (2024), it ranks among the five largest container ports in Africa.

### Which landlocked countries are supplied via Togo?

Via the Lomé-Cinkassé-Ouagadougou corridor, Togo supplies the Sahel landlocked countries Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, as well as northern Nigeria.

### Which modes of transport are relevant in Togo?

Sea transport (Port of Lomé) and road transport to the hinterland are dominant. Air freight runs via Lomé Airport (LFW). Rail is now used only for phosphate and clinker transport.

### Which trade agreements apply to Togo?

Togo is a member of UEMOA, ECOWAS and the AfCFTA. As a least developed country, it has duty-free EU market access via Everything But Arms (EBA). There is no free trade agreement with Switzerland/EFTA.

### Which currency is used in Togo?

The currency is the CFA franc BCEAO (XOF), which is pegged to the euro (1 EUR = 655,957 XOF). It is used in all eight UEMOA states.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.otr.tg](https://www.otr.tg)
- [https://www.otr.tg/index.php/fr/douanes/reglementation-douaniere/tarifs-des-douanes.html](https://www.otr.tg/index.php/fr/douanes/reglementation-douaniere/tarifs-des-douanes.html)
- [https://www.togofirst.com/fr/gouvernance-economique/1003-5101-dedouanement-des-marchandises-l-otr-rend-obligatoires-les-declarations-via-le-sydonia-world](https://www.togofirst.com/fr/gouvernance-economique/1003-5101-dedouanement-des-marchandises-l-otr-rend-obligatoires-les-declarations-via-le-sydonia-world)
- [https://ecotis.ecowas.int/policy-development/common-external-tariff-cet/](https://ecotis.ecowas.int/policy-development/common-external-tariff-cet/)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/togo-trade-agreements](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/togo-trade-agreements)
- [https://tilgroup.com/our-terminals/lome.html](https://tilgroup.com/our-terminals/lome.html)
- [https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-infrastructures/2410-49824-port-of-lome-rises-in-global-rankings-on-strong-transshipment-growth](https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-infrastructures/2410-49824-port-of-lome-rises-in-global-rankings-on-strong-transshipment-growth)
- [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=TG](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=TG)

*Last verified: 2026-06-30*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/tg](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/tg)*

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