Ivory Coast: Selling and Buying

Reaching the Consumers

Marketing Opportunities

Consumer Behavior

As Côte d'Ivoire has not yet reached self-sufficiency regarding food, the inhabitants mainly consume imported foodstuffs. This is also the case for industrial goods. The Ivorian consumer is very attracted by western products, which he considers to be of better quality than local ones.

Consumer Profile and Purchasing Power

The Ivorian consumer has limited purchasing power; he generally shops at a market. Supermarkets remain reserved for the highest bracket of the population, and for expats. The most highly-prized products are French and American.

Consumers Associations

Federation of Active Consumer Associations in Côte d'Ivoire.

Main Advertising Agencies

Mc Cann Erickson
Euro RSCG
Océan Ogilvy

Distributing a Product

Market Shares

The informal sector dominates large scale distribution in Côte d'Ivoire. The big supermarket names are Cash, Hayat and Leader Price, who occupy a niche position, since these groups offer, almost exclusively, imported products with exorbitant prices, which puts them out of reach of the majority of Ivorian households.

Organizations in the Retail Sector

National Federation of Shopkeepers in Côte d'Ivoire

Market Access Procedures

Main International Economic Cooperation

Côte d'Ivoire is a member of the Economic Commmunity of West African States (ECOWAS), and of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).

Non Tariff Barriers

Imports and exports are free.

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

There are very different levels of import taxes according to the products; for further information, consult the Ivorian Customs.

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

Customs Classification

Côte d'Ivoire belongs to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA which brings together the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo). Since 1 January 2000, and whatever their entry point into the UEMOA, third countries to the UEMOA pay duties and taxes defined according to the Common External Tariff (CET) of the UEMOA.

Applicable Customs rates are according to the category the imported product belongs to: essential assets on a closed list: category I, 0% - essentials, basic raw materials, capital goods, specific inputs: category II, 5% - intermediate inputs and goods: category III, 10% - goods for final consumption and other products not mentioned elsewhere: category IV, 20%. The Customs duty base is the CIF value. The documents to be provided are a commercial invoice, a certificate of origin for third countries and an EUR1 certificate. To determine the category of your product, you can consult the Customs classification in force in Côte d'Ivoire (in conformity with the Harmonized System).

Import Procedures

Côte d'Ivoire belongs to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA which brings together the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo). Since 1 January 2000, and whatever their entry point into the UEMOA, third countries to the UEMOA pay duties and taxes defined according to the Common External Tariff (CET) of the UEMOA.

Applicable Customs rates are according to the category the imported product belongs to: essential assets on a closed list: category I, 0% - essentials, basic raw materials, capital goods, specific inputs: category II, 5% - intermediate inputs and goods: category III, 10% - goods for final consumption and other products not mentioned elsewhere: category IV, 20%.

The Customs duty base is the CIF value. The documents to be provided are a commercial invoice, a certificate of origin for third countries and an EUR1 certificate. To determine the category of your product, you can consult theCustoms classification in force in Côte d'Ivoire (in conformity with the Harmonized System).

Importing Samples

To import samples, you must request an authorization from the General Directorate of Customs, then use an ATA carnet.

For Further Information

Ivorian Customs

Organizing Goods Transport

Main Useful Means of Transport

Ivory Coast has two autonomous ports: Abidjan and San Pedro. Although the autonomous port of Abidjan is expanding, it has lost its position as the leading Franc Zone port to the advantage of Dakar, but it continues to occupy a particular place in West Africa. A major part of Burkina Faso and Mali's exports transits this port.

Regarding external air links, Côte d'Ivoire only has one international airport, in Abidjan, but it has 27 other airports for domestic flights.

The railway network in Côte d'Ivoire links Abidjan and Ouagadougou. This line handles international traffic with Burkina Faso. It carries passengers and freight.

The railway carries most of the exports of cocoa, coffee and other agricultural products.

Ports

Autonomous Port of Abidjan

Airports

Abidjan Airport (in French)

Sea Transport Organizations

Ministry of Transport

Air Transport Organizations

National Civil Aviation Authority

Road Transport Organizations

Ministry of Transport

Rail Transport Organizations

Ministry of Transport

Identifying a Supplier

Type of Production

The industrial sector represents 21% of the GDP. It is mainly made up of the industries processing cocoa, coffee and shea. The petroleum industry is growing.

To search directories by industry in the Côte d'Ivoire, check out our service Business directories.

Manufacturers Associations of the Main Industries

1 professional associations listed for the Côte d'Ivoire.
Choose your sector Chemicals, pharmaceutical products

Trade Agencies and Their Representations Abroad

Ivory Cost Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Contact Your Commercial Representations in the Côte d'Ivoire

Egyptian Embassy in Ivory Cost
Rue Du Commerce Immeuble El Nasr 1er Etage
O1 2104 ABIDJAN 01
Phone: (00225)20226231 - 20327925
Fax: (00225)20223053

Enterprises Federation

General Confederation of Companies in Côte d'Ivoire

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