As of April 1, 2026, phones, tablets and other digital terminals will be cleared through customs exclusively via an electronic mechanism.
The authorities assure that this is neither a new tax nor an increase in levies, but a tool for modernizing and securing public revenue.
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The Minister of Finance announced on March 25, 2026, the implementation, as of April 1, 2026, of a new customs clearance method for imported digital equipment. From now on, the collection of customs duties and taxes will be carried out exclusively electronically, in accordance with the provisions of the 2023 Finance Law.
The authorities wish to reassure consumers and economic operators: this system does not introduce any additional taxation and should not lead to price increases on the market. It aims rather to modernize procedures, reduce revenue losses and strengthen the fight against fraud, particularly in the digital sector.
In this new framework, importers remain responsible for the customs clearance of the goods they bring into the territory. Declarations and the calculation of duties will be done via the customs computer system, while payments can be made in local currency, including electronically.
The text also provides for flexibility measures. Devices already connected to local networks benefit from a tax amnesty, while phones roaming or belonging to short-term travelers are exempt or temporarily admitted without payment of duties.
Distributors with previous stocks are invited to regularize their situation within two months with the competent customs services. Furthermore, only terminals in good standing will now be authorized to connect to electronic communication networks.
Consumers are encouraged to check, before any purchase, the customs status of devices via the tools provided (SMS, online platforms). Sellers, for their part, must facilitate this verification under penalty of sanctions.
Finally, a simplified procedure is planned for small quantities of uncleared devices already present in the territory. The ministry calls for collective responsibility to ensure the success of this reform, presented as a lever for transparency and economic modernization.
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