Shopping in Benin

Retail in Benin combines formal and informal channels. Consumers buy food at daily markets, from street stalls, in shops, supermarkets and modern markets. Private social-selling offers and registered online providers add to these channels. Market stalls and street vendors often offer a broad selection, but may provide weaker receipts, return options and traceability. For food and household goods, the season, market and supply route affect availability and price. In the wholesale trade in agricultural and food products, operations moved from Dantokpa to Tokpa Daho and Akassato as of 16 May 2026. Tokpa Yôyô is particularly known for textiles, leather goods, cosmetics and jewellery. The secondhand clothing trade (friperie) is highly important; the PK3 market in Cotonou opened on 23 January 2026. Soap, cosmetics and household supplies are available in markets and shops. The responsible authorities monitor expired or improperly stored goods as well as unauthorised or dangerous cosmetics. Electronics and information technology products are sold, among other channels, through local online shops. No nationwide uniform specialist retail channel for consumer electronics has been identified. For these goods, information about conformity, the condition, the invoice and the provider’s accessible customer service therefore matters. Online shopping includes the La Poste online shop (La Poste e-boutique) and private platforms such as E-YEBOU, Comercoo, TokpaEnLigne and Aquaco. Coverage varies; Cotonou is usually served more quickly, while deliveries to other parts of the country depend on the seller, stock and destination. Before ordering, check the seller’s identity, stock availability, delivery time, delivery costs, return rules and invoice. After ordering, keep the confirmation, screenshots, invoice and proof of payment. Where possible, inspect the parcel before accepting it for quantity, condition, seals and visible damage. Some sellers offer cash on delivery, but not every provider does. The national currency is the West African CFA franc (CFA-Franc BCEAO), usually called XOF or FCFA. A mobile money service (MoMo) means payments made by mobile phone and is also called MoMo in Benin. Electronic-money institutions listed by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) include MTN Mobile Money, also known as MoMo, Moov Money, ID Money and Celtiis Cash; BESTCASH and CORIS-MONEY also work with banks or telecommunications companies. With MoMoPay, payment is made using the merchant code *880# or a QR code. The PIN has five digits. Before confirming, check the merchant and amount and keep the transaction confirmation. The BCEAO supervises, among other things, fees, availability, integrity, confidentiality and the traceability of payment services. Law N°2007-21 concerns supply, distribution, sale and exchange. In a sales contract, the provider’s identity and address, the characteristics of the goods or service, performance or delivery, the total price and payment terms should be traceable. Durable goods are subject to a customer-service obligation. For purchases in a shop, no general statutory right of withdrawal has been identified; returns or exchanges may therefore depend on the provider and the goods. For digital B2C purchases, providers must disclose, among other things, the ordering process, the languages used, data protection, error correction, confirmation, delivery and the complaints process. Online prices should be stated including taxes; delivery costs, the offer’s validity period, payment method, invoicing currency and other costs must also be clear. The provider bears the burden of proving the pre-contractual information, confirmation, deadlines and consent. Electronic contracts must be retained for ten years. For online purchases, B2C contracts generally carry a 15-working-day right of withdrawal without giving a reason; the buyer may bear the direct return costs. If required pre-contractual information is missing, the period may be extended to 90 days. The legal text states elsewhere that 14 days apply to the declaration and return. Because of this contradiction, the withdrawal should be declared no later than 14 days after the purchase and the return should be documented. Exceptions include, among other things, made-to-measure goods, highly perishable food and drinks, goods that cannot be returned or are perishable, unsealed hygiene products, unsealed or downloaded digital content, newspapers and public auctions. The provider generally refunds no later than 30 working days; delivery costs are refunded in cases of delivery delay or breach of contract. Unless otherwise agreed, delivery should take place no later than 30 working days. If goods are unavailable, the provider must inform the buyer without delay and at least 24 hours before the planned delivery date and provide a full refund. A conformity complaint should be submitted within 15 working days. For new goods, a defect is presumed for up to 24 months; for used goods, up to six months. Depending on the case, a price reduction, full refund or replacement may be available; claims become time-barred after two years. For a complaint, first contact the seller or platform. If the response is absent or inadequate, MIC, DDIC or the Competition Directorate (Direction de la Concurrence) may be considered. The government gives 113 for reports of excessive prices and fraud; current availability should be checked. For telecommunications or postal problems, the provider is responsible first, followed by the electronic communications and postal regulator (ARCEP) if the response is inadequate or absent within 30 days; the hotline is 131. Report payment problems to the merchant and the payment provider or issuing institution. Questions about personal-data protection fall under the personal-data protection authority (APDP). The quality and metrology authority (ANM) deals with quality and metrology, AMC and CNC with conformity, the markets authority (ANaGeM) with markets, and La Poste with its own delivery services. Benin restricts non-biodegradable plastic bags through laws and regulations. Certain imports are subject to special authorisation and inspection rules; non-compliant bags may be seized and destroyed. Reuse through the friperie is widespread. The Consommons Local initiative (Consommons Local) promotes local food, textiles, cosmetics and handicrafts through national presentations. No nationwide uniform infrastructure for recycling, repair or returns has been established. There is also no general retail or delivery price list; the provider sets delivery charges and insurance, while La Poste’s calculator provides only an estimate.