Country profile
Chad
TD · TCDAs of: 7/1/2026Landlocked Central African country and oil exporter; foreign trade mainly via Cameroonian corridors.
Chad is a Central African landlocked country with no seaport and no railway. About 79 percent of imports run via the port of Douala in Cameroon: by rail (Camrail) to Ngaoundere, then about 500 km by road to N'Djamena, with transit averaging around twelve days. As a CEMAC customs union member, Chad levies the Common External Tariff (TEC, bands 5/10/20/30 percent) plus 18 percent import VAT. Crude oil exported via the pipeline to Kribi is the main export. Long distances, high costs and security risks shape its logistics.
Overview
Chad (ISO code: TD) lies in Central Africa and borders Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger. Politically it is a presidential republic with centralised governance and regional security challenges. The climate ranges from arid Sahara in the north through semi-arid savannah in the centre to tropical conditions in the south, with a rainy season from May to October. The economy rests on oil production, agriculture and livestock; crude oil and farm products are the main sources of revenue. Chad mainly exports crude oil, livestock, sesame, gum arabic and cotton, while depending heavily on imports of consumer goods, energy, machinery and vehicles. In logistics terms Chad is fully landlocked with no seaport and no railway: about 79 percent of imports run via the port of Douala in Cameroon, by rail to Ngaoundere and then by road to N'Djamena. The national currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF). Strategic investment focuses on transport infrastructure, corridors and energy projects to cut transit times and costs and improve regional integration.
Mentioned countries
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI)Import system
Member of the CEMAC customs union; import duty under the Common External Tariff (TEC) with bands of 5/10/20/30 percent. Electronic clearance via ASYCUDA/SYDONIA of the DGDDI.
Export system
Export declaration with the DGDDI via ASYCUDA/SYDONIA. The most important export good is crude oil (Chad–Cameroon pipeline to Kribi); also livestock, sesame, gum arabic and cotton.
Import VAT
- Standard VAT rate 18 percent on customs value plus import duty
- exports at zero rate. Exemptions include, among others, inputs for livestock/fishing and cotton production (Code Général des Impôts).
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Waybill / bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Import permit (authorisation)
- Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons (BESC)
- Veterinary/plant health certificates (if required)
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration (DGDDI/SYDONIA)
- Certificate of origin (CEMAC/AfCFTA)
- Waybill
- Inspection/quality certificates (if required)
Origin proofs / FTA
Duty-free trade within CEMAC with proof of origin. AfCFTA ratified. Duty-free EU market access as an LDC under Everything But Arms; no agreement with Switzerland/EFTA.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Permits required for, among others, weapons, ammunition, explosives, narcotics, and certain food/animal products (veterinary/plant protection controls). Counterfeit goods prohibited.
Export controls & sanctions
No comprehensive international sanctions against Chad; UN measures are implemented. No own dual-use export control regime; observe security situation in border areas.
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
Common pitfalls
- Vague description or missing HS codes → delays and clarifications
- Incoterms unclear: who clears customs/pays charges?
- Incomplete origin data → preferential treatment may not apply
- Inconsistent documents (invoice vs packing list vs shipment data)
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
- N'Djamena – Hassan Djamous International (NDJ)
- Moundou (MQQ)
- Abéché (AEH)
- Sarh (SRH)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Douala–Ngaoundéré–N'Djamena (main corridor via Cameroon)
- N'Djamena–Adré–Sudan
- N'Djamena–Kousséri–Maiduguri (Nigeria)
- Moundou/Sarh–Central African Republic
Rail corridors
- No own rail network; rail link via Camrail (Cameroon) to Ngaoundéré, then road to N'Djamena
Top trade lanes
- Douala (Cameroon) – N'Djamena
- Chad – Kribi (crude oil pipeline)
- N'Djamena – Sudan (Adré)
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Landlocked country without its own seaport or rail link; around 79 percent of imports pass through the port of Douala (Cameroon). Long transit times, high costs, security risks in the north and east.
Seasonal & weather risks
Rainy season from May to October (more pronounced in the south) makes unpaved roads temporarily impassable. In the north Sahara heat and sandstorms (Harmattan); corridors seasonally restricted.
Current logistics notes
The Douala–Ngaoundéré–N'Djamena corridor (rail to Ngaoundéré, then about 500 km by road) is the main artery; average transit around 12 days. World Bank project PCDN (2024-2032) is intended to speed it up.
As of: 2026-07-01
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.
View all news →Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- douanes.td
- finances.gouv.td
- cemac.int
- trade.gov
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Does Chad have its own seaport?
No. Chad is a landlocked country without access to the sea. Foreign trade mainly runs through the port of Douala in Cameroon, about 1'700 km from N'Djamena.
Via which corridor do imports reach Chad?
The main route is the Douala-Ngaoundéré-N'Djamena corridor: by rail (Camrail) to Ngaoundéré in Cameroon, then about 500 km by road to N'Djamena. Around 79 percent of imports take this route.
What is the import VAT (TVA) rate?
The standard VAT rate is 18 percent, levied on the customs value plus import duty. Exports are at the zero rate; exemptions apply to certain inputs (including livestock, fishing, cotton).
Which customs tariff applies in Chad?
As a CEMAC member, Chad applies the Common External Tariff (TEC) with bands of 5, 10, 20 and 30 percent. In addition there are community levies (TCI/OHADA/CCI around 1,45 percent) and other fees.
Is there a railway in Chad?
No, Chad has no rail network of its own. The rail link ends in Ngaoundéré (Cameroon); from there goods continue by truck to N'Djamena.
How long does transit take from the port of Douala?
On average around twelve days from Douala to N'Djamena, depending on rail availability, road condition and border clearance. During the rainy season it can take significantly longer.
Are there sanctions against Chad?
There are no comprehensive international sanctions against Chad. UN measures are implemented. However, due to the security situation in certain border regions, caution is advised.
Which trade partners are important for Chad?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Chad?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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