Country profile
Togo
TG · TGOAs of: 6/30/2026Transit country / transshipment hub for the Sahel landlocked countries
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.
Overview
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.
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Import system
SYDONIA World (ASYCUDA World); fully digitalised since Jan. 2019, lodging through licensed customs agents is mandatory (otr.tg).
Export system
SYDONIA World (ASYCUDA World) via the OTR; electronic export declaration, directly connected to the Lomé Container Terminal.
Import VAT
- Standard rate 18 percent (uniform) on CIF plus import duty
- exports 0 percent (otr.tg, Code Général des Impôts).
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (B/L)
- SYDONIA World declaration
- Certificate of origin
- Insurance certificate
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (B/L)
- SYDONIA World export declaration
- ECOWAS certificate of origin (ETLS)
Origin proofs / FTA
ECOWAS certificate of origin (ETLS) for duty-free regional trade; EU market access duty-free via Everything But Arms (EBA) as an LDC.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Prohibited/restricted: weapons and ammunition, narcotics, counterfeit goods, endangered species (CITES); age limits for imports and special taxes for used vehicles.
Export controls & sanctions
No comprehensive international sanctions against Togo. General UN/ECOWAS embargoes must be observed.
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
- Aéroport International Gnassingbé Eyadéma, Lomé (LFW)
Seaports / access ports
- Port Autonome de Lomé (PAL) - deep-water port, Lomé Container Terminal (LCT)
- Kpémé (phosphate loading)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Lomé-Cinkassé-Ouagadougou corridor (Burkina Faso/Niger/Mali)
- Trans-West African Coastal Highway (Abidjan-Lagos)
Rail corridors
- Phosphate line Hahotoé-Kpémé (metre gauge, SNPT)
- Clinker line Lomé-Tabligbo (Togo Rail/WACEM)
Top trade lanes
- Lomé - Asia (transshipment)
- Lomé - Sahel landlocked countries (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali)
- Lomé - Europe
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
High transit dependence of the Sahel states on the Lomé-Ouagadougou corridor; political instability in Mali/Niger/Burkina Faso can disrupt hinterland traffic.
Seasonal & weather risks
Tropical: main rainy season April-July, shorter rainy season Sept.-Nov.; dry Harmattan dust Dec.-Feb.
Current logistics notes
Lomé Container Terminal is investing around EUR 120 million until 2027 (quay reinforcement, new cranes, dredging to 18,6 m); throughput in 2024 around 2,06 million TEU, top 5 in Africa.
As of: 2026-06-30
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Latest News
Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- otr.tg
- lct-togo.com
- ecowas.int
- trade.gov
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for Togo?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Togo?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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