Chad: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

The country is completely open to international trade. As a fact, the trade policy aims at changing outdated and complex practices, promoting the private sector through restructuring and privatization, developing infrastructures, and diversifying the economy. During the period 2007-2009, foreign trade represented an average of 100% of the GDP. The country is a member of different organizations including the WTO, the UDEAC (Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa), the CEMAC (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa), the ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States), the ACP (African Caribbean Pacific), and the Free Zone.

The limited market potential and the complicated customs procedures limit the development of foreign trade. Additionally, the informal sector predominates and controls a large share of the market, compared to the formal and organized sector.
Chad's trade balance, which is usually positive, deteriorated in 2009 due to the drop in exports and the global recession, but in 2010 it gained strength again, a trend that should continue.

Chad mainly exports oil, livestock, cotton and gum arabic to the United States, Japan and France. The country imports machinery and transport equipment, industrial products, food and textile from France, Cameroon, China, Ukraine, the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. The country's main trade partners are the United States, the CEMAC (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa) and the European Union.

Foreign Trade Indicators	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Imports of Goods (million USD)	1,350	1,800	1,900	2,300	2,500
Exports of Goods (million USD)	3,352	3,666	4,330	2,650	3,400
Imports of Services (million USD)	2,091	2,010	2,078	2,242	-
Exports of Services (million USD)	76	85	94	189	-
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	-13	-	-	-	-
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	-3	-	-	-	-
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP)	104	107	103	112	113
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	41	52	50	70	69
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	63	55	53	42	44

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

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Commercial Policy

Main International Economic Cooperation: Member of World Trade Organisation
Member of Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
Assessment of Commercial Policy: Country’s commercial policy
Average Customs Duty (Excluding Agricultural Products): 16.96%

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

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