Cameroon

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Cameroon, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial 

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS 

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws 

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2.  

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Cameroon, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120.  

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The United States does not have a tax treaty with Cameroon. For more information about double taxation issues, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance. 

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Cameroon at 25 out of 100 (152nd out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e.  corrupt).

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.  

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations.

Articles

The US State Department's page on CAMEROON may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AS OF OCTOBER 28, AUTHORITIES IN CAMEROON ARE MAINTAINING SEVERAL OF THE COUNTRY'S RESTRICTIONS AND MEASURES INTRODUCED AS PART OF EFFORTS TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19).  LAND AND SEA BORDERS REMAIN CLOSED TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL. AIR BORDERS ALSO REMAIN LARGELY CLOSED, BUT AUTHORITIES HAVE PERMITTED SEVERAL AIRLINES TO RESUME LIMITED FLIGHTS. ALL CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS INTENDING TO TRAVEL TO CAMEROON MUST PRESENT A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST TAKEN UP TO 72 HOURS BEFORE THE FLIGHT. IT IS CURRENTLY UNCLEAR WHEN REGULAR AIR TRAVEL WILL RESUME. TRAVELERS WITHOUT A TEST WILL UNDERTAKE ONE AT THE PORT OF ENTRY. TRAVELERS WHO DISPLAY SYMPTOMS OR TEST POSITIVE FACE A 14-DAY QUARANTINE AT A GOVERNMENT APPROVED HOTEL. ALL RESIDENCE ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACEMASKS. RESTRICTIONS ON GROUPS OF MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE REMAIN IN PLACE.

EXERCISE INCREASED CAUTION IN CAMEROON DUE TO CRIME. SOME AREAS HAVE INCREASED RISK.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.

If you are traveling to Cameroon on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic. 

The threat of civil unrest in Cameroon is moderate.  Protests occasionally occur in Cameroon and sometimes devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to economic conditions, social issues, educational issues - such as unpaid scholarship funds, fee disputes, and inadequate educational facilities - or political developments, such as election campaigns. Protests are most common in urban centers such as Yaounde and Douala and in the English-speaking Northwest Province and Southwest Province, especially the towns of Bamenda and Buea, and cause significant transportation delays.

Crime generally poses a high threat. Criminal activity is most prevalent in urban/rural/tourist locations, particularly in the northern region and on rural highways. Nonviolent crime poses a high threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff and is concentrated in the cities of Douala, Kribi, Bamenda, and Maroua, as well as Yaounde's suburbs of la Briquetterie, Mokolo and Mvog-Ada. Thieves typically target purses, bags, wallets, smartphones, and other electronic devices. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially around market places and shopping areas, on buses, in taxis or cars, in restaurants or bars, and outside of ATMs/banks. Criminals typically target foreign nationals, expatriates and local staff due to their perceived wealth.  

Crimes against foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff are more likely to escalate into violence late at night or if the victim attempts to resist. Criminals act both alone and in groups.

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Cameroon is high; foreign nationals are sometimes targeted by criminals. Violent crime, including carjacking, armed robbery, homicide, and assault, poses the greatest threat outside major cities, especially in areas north of Garoua, near the borders of Nigeria, the Central African Republic, and Chad, in the zone west of Ngaoundere, in the Bouba Ndjida National Park, and between Madingrim and Touboro. This may be due to a lack of income-generating opportunities, cross-border banditry, armed groups in neighboring countries, and the concentration of arms. Criminals do not hesitate to use force if a victim resists; do not resist. 

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination poses a high threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff in Cameroon.  

Anti-LGBT violence systemically occurs in Cameroon. The country's penal code punishes same-sex relations. Verbal harassment is known to occur. Allegations of brutality, illegal searches and seizures, and coerced confessions have been made against law enforcement officials. There are also reports of vigilante groups committing violent acts against suspected lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; same-sex couples that publicly express affection may face harassment.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. You may be taken in for questioning by the police if unable to produce an acceptable form of identification, travel permit, or Cameroonian driver’s license. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs, can be severe.  Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. 

Photography: It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and other public facilities, many of which are unmarked. You could be fined, have your photographic equipment confiscated, or be detained or arrested. Do not take photos of people without their permission.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. 

Customs: Strict import and export regulations, particularly with regard to pharmaceuticals and wood products, are enforced. It is illegal to buy, sell, kill, or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a license, including ivory. Cameroon is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. You will be prosecuted and could receive a prison sentence or a fine if you buy or traffic in these goods.

Wild Animal Parks: Heed all instructions given by guides or trackers. Use common sense and maintain a safe distance around wildlife. Even in the most serene settings, wild animals pose a lethal threat. There have been reports of armed poachers attacking tourists.

LGBTI Travelers: Consensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal and punishable by a prison sentence of six months to five years and a fine ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 CFA francs ($35-$353). Homophobia is a major concern and LGBTI individuals face social stigmatization, harassment, and discrimination. Police and civilians may extort money from presumed LGBTI individuals with the threat of exposure or arrest. Suspected members of the LGBTI community have received anonymous threats by phone, text, and email.