Country profile
Gabon
GA · GABAs of: 6/23/2026Commodity exporter, central Africa's hub for oil and manganese
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.
Overview
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.
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI)Import 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.
Export system
Export processing is handled by the DGDDI under CEMAC rules. Crude oil, manganese and timber dominate. Since 2010 there has been an export ban on unprocessed roundwood, while processed wood is promoted (Nkok special economic zone).
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.
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Import declaration (DGDDI)
- Certificate of origin
- If applicable, inspection or conformity certificate
Export documents
- Export declaration (DGDDI)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Proof of origin
- Bill of lading
- If applicable, CITES or phytosanitary certificate
Origin proofs / FTA
Proof of origin under CEMAC rules in the regional market; Gabon has signed the AfCFTA. No EU economic partnership agreement is in force. Preferences depend on the agreement.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Restrictions and bans apply to, among others, weapons, drugs, protected species (CITES, ivory) and the export of unprocessed roundwood. Import controls apply to food, pharmaceuticals and dangerous goods.
Export controls & sanctions
No comprehensive international trade sanctions apply to Gabon. The AU suspension following the 2023 coup was lifted on 30.4.2025. CITES controls apply to timber and wildlife.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Africa) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Africa. Documentation, pre-clearance and local clearance steps can vary a lot by destination.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Depending on destination/goods: additional permits, inspection or compliance documents
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- LBV - Libreville Léon-Mba
- POG - Port-Gentil
Seaports / access ports
- Owendo (Libreville)
- Port-Gentil
- Mayumba
Road corridors & border crossings
- Libreville–Owendo
- Libreville–Bitam–Cameroon border (RN2)
- Libreville–Lambaréné–Franceville (RN1)
Rail corridors
- Transgabonais: Owendo–Booué–Franceville (manganese, timber)
Top trade lanes
- Gabon–China
- Gabon–EU (France, Italy)
- Gabon–USA
- Gabon–South Korea
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Political consolidation following the 2023 coup and the 2025 election of President Oligui Nguema. Road network partly weak; high dependence on a few ports and the Transgabon railway.
Seasonal & weather risks
Equatorial climate with long rainy seasons (roughly September to May, with a break in July/August). Heavy rainfall can affect tracks and inland transport.
Current logistics notes
Owendo handles container and manganese throughput; the Transgabon railway connects Moanda/Franceville with the port. Diversification via the Nkok timber special economic zone. As of 2026-06-22.
As of: 2026-06-23
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Latest News
No news for this country yet.
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Official sources
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for Gabon?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Gabon?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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