Individual Corruption

A multitude of middlemen, such as so-called 'banknote rippers' (klébés) and 'transit agents' (transitoires ambulants) channel bribes from citizens to public officials. Custom officers are alleged to be particularly corrupt; however, due to reforms introduced by President Yayi Boni, it has become more difficult for them to request bribes. According to an August 2011 article by West Africa Democracy Radio, the president declared that tax evasion is costing the country EUR 3 billion every year. The president further stated that the fight against corruption that the government is waging must address agents of the customs services.

Business Corruption

According to the US Department of State 2009, corruption in the customs service is still a serious problem in Benin. Despite that the government has set up a free trade zone in the Port of Cotonou for imports between Benin and its landlocked neighbours of Burkina Faso and Niger, many foreign importers complain that corruption in the Port of Cotonou is making it difficult for them to benefit from the free trade zone.

According to Global Integrity 2006, customs and excise laws are not always enforced uniformly and without discrimination as corruption and bribery can be used to influence the application of these laws in practice. According to the World Economic Forum Enabling Trade Report 2010, the border administration in Benin does not always operate in a transparent manner. Companies need to be aware that irregular payments are sometimes needed in order to export and import goods.  

Political Corruption

According to World Bank & African Development Bank 2007, the customs administration is perceived by the general public as one of the most corrupt public institutions in Benin. Many applicants seek jobs in this sector, and large bribes are paid in order to obtain these jobs, because individual custom officers can demand bribes as 'extra income'. Consequently, the most qualified applicant does not necessarily get the job, hampering the quality of the administration. Thereby, the customs administration is targeted by those who are willing to accept and demand bribes and who thereby perpetuate corruption within the system.

Frequency

World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012:
- Business executives give the efficiency of customs procedures (formalities regulating the entry and exit of merchandise) in Benin a score of 3.7 on a 7-point scale (1 being 'extremely inefficient' and 7 'extremely efficient').

The World Bank & IFC: Doing Business 2011:
- A standard export shipment of goods requires 7 documents to and takes an average of 30 days, at a cost of USD 1,251 per container.

- A standard import shipment of goods requires 7 documents and takes an average of 32 days, at the cost of USD 1,400 per container.

World Economic Forum: The Global Enabling Trade Report 2010:
- Business executives give the transparency of border administration (irregular payments in exports and imports) a score of 3.0 on a 7-point scale (1 'non-transparent' and 7 'transparent').

- Business executives give the transparency of border administration (corruption perceptions index) a score of 2.9 on a 10-point scale (0 being 'corrupt' and 10 'not corrupt').

The World Bank & IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2009:
- 24.5% of the surveyed companies report that they expect to give gifts in order to obtain an import licence.

The World Bank & African Development Bank 2007 (in French):
- 79% of the household respondents consider the customs administration to be the most corrupt institution in Benin.