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flag Central African Republic Central African Republic: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

The Central African Republic is highly in favor of trade. However, government policies are more engaged into protecting local industries. Foreign trade represents more than a third of the country's GDP. The country is a member of the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community). 

Customs duties are comparatively high. In addition, certain agricultural products benefit of higher protection tariffs. Even though the domestic market is easily accessible, the Central African Republic does not grant preferential tariffs to any country.

The country's trade balance is structurally in deficit, a trend that should continue during the next following years.

The CAR mainly exports diamonds, wood, cotton, coffee and tobacco to Japan, Belgium, China, Morocco, Indonesia, France, Italy and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main import goods are foodstuff, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemical products and pharmaceutical products from South Korea, France, Cameroon, the Netherlands and the United States.

 
Foreign Trade Indicators 20062007200820092010
Imports of Goods (million USD) 203250300300340
Exports of Goods (million USD) 158180150120140
Imports of Services (million USD) 120148165156-
Exports of Services (million USD) 22262928-
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 2----
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 14----
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 36373437-
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 22222423-
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 14151115-

Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank - Last Available Data.

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Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2009
Belgium 58.5%
China 9.4%
France 9.3%
Germany 8.5%
Saudi Arabia 2.9%
See More Countries 11.5%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2009
France 22.7%
United States 15.6%
Cameroon 8.8%
China 7.9%
Netherlands 6.4%
See More Countries 38.6%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

Main Products

Main Exports
(% of Exports)
2009
Diamonds, whether or not worked, but not mounted...Diamonds, whether or not worked, but not mounted or set (excl. unmounted stones for pick-up styluses, worked stones, suitable for use as parts of meters, measuring instruments or other articles of chapter 90) 61.8%
Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark...Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared (excl. rough-cut wood for walking sticks, umbrellas, tool shafts and the like; wood in the form of railway sleepers; wood cut into boards or beams, etc.) 20.4%
Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or barked,...Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or barked, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed, of a thickness of > 6 mm 10.5%
Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated;...Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion 2.3%
Cinematographic cameras and projectors, whether or...Cinematographic cameras and projectors, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus (excl. video equipment) 0.8%
See More Products 4.3%
Main Imports
(% of Imports)
2009
Dried leguminous vegetables, shelled, whether or...Dried leguminous vegetables, shelled, whether or not skinned or split 11.0%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) 9.8%
Wheat or meslin flourWheat or meslin flour 6.2%
Cereal flours (excl. wheat or meslin)Cereal flours (excl. wheat or meslin) 4.1%
Electrical apparatus for line telephony or line...Electrical apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy, incl. line telephone sets with cordless handsets and telecommunication apparatus for carrier-current line systems or for digital line systems; videophones; parts thereof 3.0%
See More Products 65.9%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

 

To go further, check out our service Import export flows

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Commercial Policy

Main International Economic Cooperation
Member of World Trade Organisation
Member of African Union (AU)

Member of Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD)

Member of Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)

Assessment of Commercial Policy
Country’s commercial policy
Average Customs Duty (Excluding Agricultural Products)
18.13%
 

List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs duties and local taxes

 

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Learn more about How to Export to The Central African Republic on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Services.
 

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Last Updates: February 2012

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