Benin - Customs and duties

Benin recently enacted a common external tariff, which has eliminated most non-tariff trade barriers. However, the customs process is flawed and inefficient, making importation more difficult than it should be. Port security has been an issue of pressing concern in recent years, with theft a major problem. Bonded warehouses are available, but difficult to come by. A port police was established in 1999 to combat the crime problems, but it has yet to have an impact on the situation.