flag Central African Republic Central African Republic: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

Traditionally, the Central African Republic (CAR) is highly favorable to international trade and international trade represents around 45% of the country's GDP (World Bank, latest data available). However, the country's protectionist policies limited its openness and customs duties are relatively high. In addition, certain agricultural products benefit from higher tariff protections. Despite easy access to its internal market, the CAR does not grant preferential tariffs to other countries. CAR is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and of WTO. The country mainly exports gold (44.4% of the total), parts and accessories for tractors (14.1%), diamonds (12.2%), and electrical machines and apparatus (7%); whereas imports are led by engines and motors (12%), medicaments (6.7%), powered aircraft (6.3%), prefabricated buildings (4.8%), petroleum oils (4.1%), and human blood (2.5% - International Trade Centre, 2022).

CAR's main customers are the United Arab Emirates (40.9%), Pakistan (19.8%), Italy (12.6%), France (9%), and Cameroon (7.2%). Its main suppliers are Cameroon (40.2%), United States of America (9.7%), France (8.1%), China (7.9%), Belgium (3.4%), and India (3.1% - International Trade Centre, 2022).

CAR's trade balance is structurally in deficit, a trend which should continue in the years to come. In 2022, CAR exported USD 143 million in goods and imported USD 496 million (data WTO). As per the latest data available, in 2020, the country exported USD 291 million worth of services, vis-à-vis 354 million in imports. In 2022, the World Bank estimated the country’s trade deficit to account for 20.6% of GDP, up from 17.7% one year earlier.

 
Foreign Trade Indicators 20212022202320242025
Imports of Goods (million USD) 458423435533573
Exports of Goods (million USD) 150164171121255
Imports of Services (million USD) 29628424600
Exports of Services (million USD) 27120518100
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) -97-1110n/a
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) -12-7186n/a
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 44454346n/a
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 31332931n/a
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 13121415n/a

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.

Return to top

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2024
Pakistan 30.4%
Tunisia 19.6%
Sri Lanka 7.4%
Egypt 5.7%
Portugal 3.4%
See More Countries 33.4%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2024
Cameroon 26.4%
China 24.6%
France 8.4%
Japan 5.0%
India 4.5%
See More Countries 31.1%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

Return to top

 

Main Products

0.2 bn USD of products exported in 2024
Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought...Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought or not further worked than semi-manufactured or in powder form 15.7%
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) 6.3%
Telephone sets, incl. telephones for cellular...Telephone sets, incl. telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, incl. apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network [such as a local or wide area network]; parts thereof (excl. than transmission or reception apparatus of heading 8443, 8525, 8527 or 8528) 3.5%
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.) 3.2%
Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles,...Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles, n.e.s. 2.5%
See More Products 68.8%
0.8 bn USD of products imported in 2024
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 26.3%
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) 6.5%
Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing...Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter 5.2%
Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles...Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons, motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, motor vehicles for the transport of goods and special purpose motor vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705, n.e.s. 3.2%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab 3.0%
See More Products 55.7%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

 

To go further, check out our service Import controls and Export controls

To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows

 

Return to top

 

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

 

Trade Compliance

International Conventions
Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
International Economic Cooperation
Member of African Union (AU)

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

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

Useful Resources
National Organisation of Intellectual Property
Go to this page to access the contact of the National Service of Industrial Property in the Central African Republic.
 
 
 

Return to top

Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.

 

© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: July 2026