The government of Gabon has passed new laws that will come into effect in 2021 and will affect the forestry and timber sectors. The tax structure has been reset with the aim of encouraging processing for export. While this has not been verified reports suggest the export tax changes are as follows:
- Products that have undergone first processing will be subject to an export duty of 9%.
- Products that have undergone secondary processing will be subject to an export duty of 3%.
- Products which have undergone third processing will be subject to export duty of 1.5%.
For the purposes of this law, the following definitions are said to apply:
First transformation: sawnwood, veneer, paper pulp, posts, products from stem forks and products from stumps
Second transformation: plywood, particleboard, fibreboard, pallets and railway sleepers
Third transformation: mouldings, friezes, parquet flooring, glued strips, frames, doors, windows and frame parts, furniture and furniture parts