Includes the barriers (tariff and non-tariff) that U.S. companies face when exporting to this country.
Last Published: 4/9/2019

Some products such as soap, cooking oils, and flour are heavily taxed to protect domestic production.  Effective in 2014, automobiles more than three years old may not be imported.  

There are few barriers in the petroleum sector, where the majority of U.S. firms in Gabon operate.  There are labor requirements mandating that 80 percent of a firm’s workforce must be local hires.  While this law has not always been enforced, there is heavy pressure by the labor unions to enforce it in the oil sector and labor disputes are frequent.  Gabon’s labor code is heavily skewed in favor of workers and termination can be an arduous and costly endeavor.  Labor disputes can effectively stall operations for even large firms for indefinite periods.  

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.