Since 2016, a select few product groups, including vanilla, textiles, cloves, cocoa, sugar, pepper, and coffee, have dominated Malagasy exports. Despite the challenges the industry faces, Madagascar produces an average of over 80% of the world’s vanilla each year.
China continues to be the top provider of Madagascar’s exports to the EU, but France retakes the top spot as the country’s top trading partner in 2017.
Knowing the administrative requirements is necessary to begin exporting. This includes knowing your market, your product, the processes, the laws, the methods of payment, etc.
Products that can be exported
- Farm-produced goods include vanilla, cloves, cocoa, other spices, dry seeds, etc.
- Products made from fish, particularly those from the sea. Fish, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, and oysters all fall under this category.
- Agri-food items such as dairy products, honey, or other such items;
- Handicrafts, such as varied embroidery and basketry
To export from Madagascar, a variety of procedures and paperwork are needed.
Export conditions
A small or medium-sized business must satisfy its duties to the Administration before it can export.
- Data from the National Institute of Statistics were used to create this statistical map (INSTAT)
- The company’s registration with the Trade and Companies Register
- A commercial bank account is necessary for currency repatriation.
According to the Ministry of Finance and Budget, the exporter pays taxes and export business taxes, and the company has a current tax identity card as well as a payment card for the professional exporter tax. If the exporter is a foreign national, a Professional Identity Card for Unemployed Foreigners (CIPENS) is required, which can be obtained by contacting the Faritany Special Delegation (Ex – province).
Administrative obligations of the exporter
The following files are a minimum requirement for each product export (shipment):
The exporter must create the commercial invoice in a foreign currency. The latter must reside with a Primary Bank and receive prior approval from the relevant technical Ministries:
- Ministry of Mines, for mining-related goods
- The Ministry of Forests, which is responsible for forest products
- For handcrafted goods, contact the Ministry of Culture (former Somacodis building, Analakely)
- The Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for fisheries products.
To regularize his activities, the exporter must additionally meet certain duties, particularly to produce:
- A list of weight and packing that the exporter established
- Exporter-established note of the value
- Origin certification:
- EUR type, for exports to nations in the European Union
- COI type, for exports to nations in the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)
- 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 National Printing Office sells the Certificate of Origin form, which must be filled out by the exporters and stamped by the Customs Services.
- Bill of lading with transportation firms: “Bill of lading” for maritime shipments and “LTA” for air shipments
- Single Administrative Document for Customs (SAD)
Note: Forwarding Agents who are qualified to deliver and manage these files on behalf of new exporters are advised to use their services.
