On 25 August 2026, the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) issued Notice to Economic Operators No. 007/2026/OTR/CG/CDDI mandating the implementation of a track‑and‑trace system for all petroleum products circulating in Togo. The measure, effective immediately, requires importers, distributors, and retail station operators to affix unique fiscal markers on each consignment and to report movements in real time through the OTR’s dedicated petroleum tracking platform. The directive aims to combat smuggling, adulteration, and revenue leakage estimated at over XOF 15 billion annually. The legal basis derives from Article 142 of the Customs Code and the 2024 Finance Law provision on securing petroleum revenue.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory Fiscal Markers and Digital Reporting: Every litre of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and lubricants must carry a serialized fiscal stamp issued by the OTR’s accredited provider. Operators must scan stamps at each transfer point — depot entry, truck loading, station unloading — and transmit data via the OTR Petroleum Tracking Portal within 30 minutes. Non‑compliance attracts fines of XOF 500 000 per violation and possible suspension of operating licences. The stamps incorporate anti‑counterfeiting features including holographic elements and QR codes linked to the central database.
- Integration with Customs and Tax Databases: The tracking platform interconnects with the Customs Automated System (SYDONIA) and the Tax Administration’s taxpayer registry. This enables cross‑checking of declared import volumes against actual domestic distribution, flagging discrepancies for immediate audit. Importers must reconcile monthly import declarations with tracker data before the 15th of the following month. The system also automatically calculates the Petroleum Special Tax (TSP) due based on verified volumes, reducing manual assessment errors.
- Transition Period and Enforcement Timeline: A 60‑day grace period runs until 24 October 2026 for operators to install scanning hardware and integrate their ERP systems with the OTR API. After this period, random roadside inspections and depot audits will commence, with penalties applied retroactively to any untracked stock discovered. The OTR has partnered with the National Police and the Brigade for the Repression of Economic Crimes to enforce compliance at major transit corridors.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement