Mauritania Introduces New Mobile Phone Clearance Rules and Digital Platform
Under the reform, customs duties on smartphones have been reduced from 32.75% to 30%, while basic or “utility” phones will now attract a lower duty rate of 12%.
The government of Mauritania has adopted new measures governing the customs clearance of mobile phones as part of the country’s 2026 Finance Law, aimed at simplifying procedures and strengthening oversight of devices used on national networks.
Under the reform, customs duties on smartphones have been reduced from 32.75% to 30%, while basic or “utility” phones will now attract a lower duty rate of 12%. Authorities say the adjustment is designed to ease the customs process while improving the regulation of the mobile phone market.
To support the reform, the government has introduced a digital platform that allows both mobile phone sellers and users to complete customs clearance procedures remotely. The platform will operate alongside the traditional process carried out at customs offices, offering a faster and more accessible option for regularizing devices.
The system will also monitor devices connected to national networks. If an uncleared phone is detected, the user will receive an SMS notification informing them that the device has not been registered with customs. Users will then have a 15-day grace period to regularize the device; otherwise, the line associated with the phone will be suspended on national networks.
Additionally, users will be able to verify the clearance status of their devices by entering the phone’s identification code into the dedicated application.
According to authorities, the measures form part of a broader strategy to better organize Mauritania’s mobile phone market, improve state revenues, encourage voluntary compliance with regulations, and ensure fair competition among industry players.
