Madagascar Customs Import and Export Policy

Trade Management Regulations

All economic entities in Madagascar enjoy equal rights in conducting foreign economic and trade activities. Companies can manage their businesses freely according to their own articles of association. Subject to the laws and regulations of Madagascar, enterprises are free to engage in investment and trade activities. Except for a few rare species that are restricted, the operation of other commodities is open.

Import Management To promote imports, Madagascar has granted duty-free treatment to some goods, including pharmaceuticals, fertilizers (mineral fertilizers, chemical fertilizers, and animal manure), and walking tractors. There are currently no quota restrictions on imported goods in Madagascar. In recent years, Madagascar has stepped up trade remedy investigations. In 2018, it initiated safeguard investigations into imports of Italian pasta, blankets, and washing powder; in 2019, it initiated safeguard investigations into imports of Italian pasta, soap, lubricating oil, edible vegetable oil, and margarine, and an anti-dumping investigation into imported sweetened condensed milk from Malaysia.

Export Restrictions In March 2010, the Malagasy government issued a decree prohibiting any felling and export of rosewood and ebony in Madagascar. Those who fell or export rosewood and ebony in Madagascar shall be held criminally liable. In addition, many rare plants and animals in Madagascar are also restricted for export.

Inspection and Quarantine of Import and Export Goods

Madagascar has quarantine requirements for all types of imported animal and plant products, requiring inspections of the characteristics of imported products and relevant information of the importer.

Agricultural Product Trade According to Malagasy law, the import and export of agricultural and livestock products must be applied to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (hereinafter referred to as the "Ministry of Agriculture").

Animal Quarantine According to Madagascar's animal quarantine regulations, importers of live animals shall apply to the animal quarantine department under the Ministry of Agriculture for an import license. When goods enter the country, the animal quarantine officer stationed at the port of entry shall verify the certificate of origin and animal health certificate issued by the country of origin and the import license issued by the animal quarantine department of the Ministry of Agriculture. For details of Decree No. 2004-041 on the management of animal imports and exports, please refer to http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/Mad185235.pdf.

Plant Quarantine The plant protection department of the Ministry of Agriculture of Madagascar is responsible for plant quarantine. Imported plants and plant products shall apply to the plant protection department of the Ministry of Agriculture for an import permit, undergo inspection by the plant inspection office located at the customs, present a plant quarantine certificate issued by the relevant institution of origin, and prepare samples for plant protection department quarantine. The list of prohibited plants, plant products, and harmful organisms is issued by the Minister of Agriculture as appropriate. For details of Decree No. 4735-2002 on plant quarantine measures of October 7, 2002, please refer to: http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/mad159983.pdf. Decree No. 4736-2002 of October 7, 2002 on the management of imports of plants and plant products can be found at http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/mad159986.pdf.

Aquatic Product Quarantine The Aquatic Health Inspection Bureau (ASH) is responsible for the quarantine of live aquatic products and issues licenses. In August 2021, the Malagasy government reorganized and the supervisory authority of ASH was changed from the Ministry of Agriculture to the newly established Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy. For details of the Fisheries Law, please refer to https://www.dcn-pac.mg/uploads/loi/5d836f7ded9833bafec7e9f6e7ad5b40.pdf.