Cameroon’s customs revenue from timber exports fell by FCFA 7.9 billion in 2025, a direct consequence of the government raising the export duty rate to 75%.
The steep increase in fiscal pressure has significantly dampened export volumes, leading to a net decline in collected duties despite the higher percentage rate applied to shipments.
This dynamic suggests that the 75% rate may be approaching or exceeding the revenue-maximizing threshold for the sector.
The drop in revenue highlights the elasticity of the timber export market to tax changes.
As the effective tax burden on loggers and exporters rose, many operators likely reduced shipment volumes or shifted activity to informal channels, undermining the intended fiscal gain.
This dynamic suggests that the 75% rate may be approaching or exceeding the revenue-maximizing threshold for the sector.
Regional financial media, including Financial Afrik and Investir au Cameroun, have reported on the widening impact of the policy shift.