Export Info/Licences - Madagascar

Export to Madagascar

Malagasy export typology

Since 2016, Malagasy exports have increasingly focused on a few product families, notably vanilla, textiles, cloves, cocoa, sugar, pepper, coffee. Madagascar's vanilla production represents an average of around 80% of world production each year, despite the difficulties inherent in the sector.

Malagasy exports remain oriented towards the EU, China confirms its place as the 1st supplier but France once again becomes the 1st trading partner in 2017.

To start exporting, knowledge of the administrative formalities is essential to be able to export: it is important to know your market, your product, the procedures, the regulations, the means of payment, etc.

Products that can be exported

• Agricultural products such as vanilla, cloves, cocoa, various spices, dry seeds, etc.
• Fish products especially those coming from the sea. This is the case of fish, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, oysters….
• Agri-food products which are honeys or dairy products or other similar products;
• Handicrafts including the various items of embroidery, basketry,….

A number of procedures and documents are required to export from Madagascar

Export Conditions

For a small or medium-sized enterprise to be able to export, it must fulfill its obligations towards the Administration.

• Payment of taxes and export business taxes by the exporter; the company has an up-to-date tax identity card as well as a payment card for the professional exporter tax – Ministry of Finance and Budget;
• Statistical map obtained from the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
• Registration of the company in the Trade and Companies Register
• In the case of a foreigner, the exporter must have a Professional Identity Card for Unemployed Foreigners (CIPENS), obtained by request from the Special Delegation of Faritany (Ex – province).
• Bank account with a commercial bank is a requirement for currency repatriation.

Administrative obligations of the exporter

At each export (shipment) of products, the following files are at least required:

The Commercial Invoice must be drawn up in foreign currency by the exporter. The latter must be domiciled with a Primary Bank and then approved beforehand by the technical Ministries concerned:

• For mining products: Ministry of Mines
• For forest products: Ministry in charge of Forests
• For artisanal products: Ministry in charge of Culture (former Somacodis building, Analakely)
• For fishery products: Ministry in charge of Fisheries

The exporter must also fulfill certain obligations in order to regularize his activity, in particular to produce:

• List of weight and packing established by the exporter
• Note of value established by the exporter
• Certificate of origin :
• EUR type, for exports to European Union countries
• COI type, for exports to Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) countries
• COMESA type, for exports to countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
• Type GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) for exports to countries granting this system of preferences

The Certificate of Origin form can be purchased from the National Printing Office then completed by the exporters and must be stamped by the Customs Services

5) Bill of lading with transport companies: quotLTAquot for air shipments and quotBill of ladingquot for sea shipments

6) Customs declaration: Single Administrative Document (SAD)

NOTE: It is recommended that new exporters use the services of Forwarding Agents who are authorized to provide and take care of these files on their behalf.