Central African Republic

For information on our services in Central African Republic, please contact us.

Independent landlocked state, previously part of French Equatorial Africa. It is bordered by Chad on the north, Sudan on the east, the People’s republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo on the south and Cameroun to the west.

General Information

  • Capital: Bangui
  • Population: 3.5 million
  • Area: 622 980 km2
  • Languages: French, Sango – official languages.
  • Exports: Diamonds; cotton; coffee; timber; tobacco.
  • Imports: Food; textiles; petroleum products; machinery; electrical equipment; motor vehicles; chemicals; consumer goods;
  • Currency: CFA Franc

Trade Marks

Member of OAPI.

International Conventions

WIPO, WTO, Paris Union, Berne Union.

Marking of Goods

Notice of registration by use of the legend ‘Marque Déposée’ optional.

Products of non-French origin must not be marked to give the impression that they are made in France, or in any country other than the country of origin.

Importation is prohibited without corrective marking which must be legibly and indelibly applied in French without abbreviation in immediate proximity to the indication which it is intended to correct on the merchandise and the outside packing. The following forms are acceptable: ‘Importé de ...’, Fabriqué en …’ (Imported from ….’ Or ‘Made in …’).

Marks of origin are required on a wide range of imported goods, applied to the packaging and the product in a specified area, varying with the product. The indication of origin may be in either French or English, with the exception of a few items (food products), where the indication must be in French. All indications must be stamped in raised or sunken letters, of at least 4mm, on the centre of the bottom or top of the container, where no other inscription appears.

The same indication of origin should appear on cases and packages. The additional words ‘Made in’, ‘Fabriqué en’, or similar type phrases, are not, in the main, required.

Containers and packages of milk and milk products must bear the name of the country of origin in prominent letters. Importation of fish from foreign countries in containers of over 1kg is prohibited.

Patents

General

Patent protection is only available via OAPI.