Yaoundé — The countdown has begun. Through an official communiqué dated August 20, 2026, Minister of Finance Louis Paul Motazé announced the final phase of the reform concerning the collection of customs duties and taxes on mobile phones. As of Tuesday, September 1, 2026, undeclared and unregularized devices may be blocked on the networks of telecommunications operators operating in Cameroon.
This measure marks a new stage in the implementation of the reform provided for under the 2023 Finance Law. Following several phases of information and warnings, the government now intends to move to the effective blocking of the terminals concerned.
Three categories of phones particularly targeted
According to the Ministry of Finance, the mechanism will notably apply to undeclared phones connecting to a local telecommunications network for the first time.
Also concerned are undeclared devices that, after connecting to the network from April 1, 2026, received information and warning messages, but whose owners failed to regularize their status.
The mechanism will also target undeclared phones activated in groups using the same SIM card after April 1, 2026, where they have not subsequently been used on a regular basis.
In other words, the system is intended to close the door to terminals brought into Cameroon without completing the required customs formalities.
MTN, Orange and Camtel concerned
The announced blocking will not be limited to a single operator. It will apply to telecommunications networks operating in Cameroon, notably Camtel, MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon.
The Ministry of Finance nevertheless points out that the reform is being implemented in collaboration with the main stakeholders in the sector, including the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency, as well as the telecommunications companies concerned.
Owners urged to regularize their phones quickly
With September 1 fast approaching, owners of affected phones are being urged to contact the Customs authorities as soon as possible to complete the necessary formalities.
The Ministry also reminds users of several tools available to check the status of their devices. Dialing *#06#, for example, displays the phone’s IMEI number, which is essential for checking its status.
The Ministry further indicates that the status of phones can be checked online and that a dedicated platform is available to initiate the regularization process for blocked devices.
A reform set to reshape Cameroon’s mobile phone market
Beyond the tax issue, this reform represents a turning point for Cameroon’s mobile device market. The government aims to strengthen control over devices entering the national territory and encourage compliance with customs obligations.
The administration’s message is now clear: undeclared phones will no longer be able to permanently escape the control mechanism.
With only a few days remaining before the deadline, affected users therefore have a final opportunity to bring their devices into compliance before the blocking mechanism announced for September 1, 2026, takes effect.
The countdown is now officially underway.
