Burkina Faso’s Customs Department has dismantled a major customs fraud ring involving over 3.5 billion CFA francs ($5.7 million) in illicit activities, authorities announced on May 27, 2025. The scheme, exposed by the Department for the Fight Against Fraud and Territorial Surveillance (DLCF-ST) and the Regional Judicial Police of the Centre, centered on the creation of fictitious companies to illegally obtain customs exemption orders. These were then used by authorized customs brokers (CDAs) to import 219 vehicles without paying the required taxes.
The market value of the vehicles exceeds 2.8 billion CFA francs, and the estimated tax loss is 773 million CFA francs. Investigators have so far recovered over 200 million CFA francs and issued fines totaling 241.5 million CFA francs. Another 95 vehicles, valued at 762.6 million CFA francs, remain under investigation. The probe also revealed widespread use of forged customs documents, abuse of temporary import regimes, and violations of re-export rules.
Four more companies are currently being investigated, and authorities say the case may become one of the largest customs fraud scandals in Burkina Faso’s recent history. The General Directorate of Customs reiterated its commitment to tax justice, transparency, and the protection of public resources, urging citizens and businesses to comply with customs laws.
