Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.
What's Illegal inCameroon?
The rules that get visitors to Cameroon in trouble are rarely the obvious ones. Of the 21 common items and activities tracked here, 10 are outright illegal and 5 are restricted or conditional. The strictest area for Cameroon is everyday activities and public behavior, so that is where it pays to slow down before you pack or post.
Drug penalties strict. Same-sex relations criminalized (Section 347-1, up to 5 years). Anglophone regions (NW, SW) have security advisories. Boko Haram concerns in Far North. Photography of military restricted.
DO NOT BRING
Same-sex relations · Drug trafficking · Visiting conflict zones
What to know before you go to Cameroon
The single thing worth knowing first: Drug penalties strict. Same-sex relations criminalized (Section 347-1, up to 5 years). Anglophone regions (NW, SW) have security advisories. Boko Haram concerns in Far North. Photography of military restricted. It is the kind of rule that looks minor at home and becomes a serious problem at the border or in public, which is exactly why it tops this page.
Within everyday activities and public behavior, Cameroon treats Photography of military/government, Visiting NW/SW Anglophone regions, and Visiting Far North as off-limits. Carrying or doing any of these can mean confiscation, fines, or detention depending on the case — and a foreign prescription, habit, or "I didn't know" rarely helps once you are stopped. Each entry below links to the official source it is checked against, with the verified ones marked.
Two things travelers regularly get wrong about Cameroon: Same-sex relations enforcement is more active than in many African countries — private acts have led to prosecutions; and Yaoundé is the political capital; Douala is the economic capital. Assumptions like these are how otherwise careful visitors end up in trouble, so it is worth checking the specifics rather than guessing.
One important caveat: Anglophone Crisis (NW and SW regions) has been active since 2017 — these regions remain restricted. Laws and their enforcement can shift between regions and over time, so treat this page as a sourced starting point and confirm anything borderline against the official links before you rely on it.
BEFORE YOU GO TO CAMEROON — 3 STEPS
Confirm the rule with an official Cameroon source
Laws change. Before you pack, verify anything borderline against Cameroon Customs — the official source we cite for Cameroon.
Open Cameroon Customs →Carry proof for anything restricted
If you're bringing prescription medication or a regulated device into Cameroon, carry the prescription, original packaging, and a doctor's note. For controlled medicines, check whether an import permit is required.
Have a backup if something gets held at the border
Know who to call and keep your travel insurance and embassy details handy in case an item is seized or questioned at customs in Cameroon.
General guidance, not legal advice. How we verify.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- Same-sex relations enforcement is more active than in many African countries — private acts have led to prosecutions.
- Yaoundé is the political capital; Douala is the economic capital.
JURISDICTION NOTES
- Anglophone Crisis (NW and SW regions) has been active since 2017 — these regions remain restricted.
- Bilingual (French/English) but practical use varies sharply by region.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
IN-DEPTH GUIDES
Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.