The Cameroonian customs authorities are reforming their procedures and practices under a program partly supported by donors. The aim of this article is to analyze the way in which this reform is being financed. After briefly presenting the reform, the author focuses on how donor practices are appropriated by nationals. In light of the difficulties encountered, the article goes on to propose two alternative solutions, namely to either apply the national procedures and run the risk of corruption, or adapt the donors' project cycle to the turnover of management staff in the customs administration, while setting up a specialized structure dedicated to implementing the reform.