Madagascar: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 0 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Madagascar.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Madagascar in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Madagascar may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to Madagascar →

On the sanctions lists

No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names Madagascar.

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Madagascar recorded yet.

All updates →

All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Madagascar: logistics and trade

Island economy in the Indian Ocean; agricultural exporter (vanilla) with main seaport Toamasina

Madagascar (ISO code: MG) is a large island nation in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. Since the military coup of October 2025, in which President Andry Rajoelina was overthrown, the country has been governed by a transitional regime under Colonel Michael Randrianirina; the constitution is suspended and presidential elections are planned within two years. The climate ranges from tropical in the east to semi-arid in the south, with pronounced rainy and dry seasons and a cyclone season from November to April. The economy is strongly agricultural, with rice cultivation and exports of vanilla, cloves and coffee as well as textiles and nickel. Logistics infrastructure is limited, but the ports of Toamasina and Antsiranana are central to foreign trade. The country depends on imports of industrial products, fuel and machinery. Madagascar serves only to a limited extent as a transit country because connections to the interior are often difficult. The national currency is the Ariary (MGA).

Capital: Antananarivo
Population: 31,964,956
Area: 587,041 km²
Currency: Malagasy Ariary (MGA)
Continent: Africa
Region: Indian Ocean / Southern Africa
Economic area: SADC / COMESA / AfCFTA / EU-ESA-EPA
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation: The main seaport Toamasina (MICTSL) handles around 90 percent of container traffic; expansion planned until 2026. Vanilla air freight via Ivato (TNR). Finance Law 2026 with new customs tariffs in force since 1.1.2026.
Seasonal conditions: Cyclone season from November to April in the Indian Ocean, with port closures and road damage; the rainy season hinders inland transport, and the south is semi-arid and dry.

Main seaports

Toamasina
Toamasina (MG TOA) is Madagascar's main container port on the Indian Ocean: ~400,000 TEU, MICTSL/ICTSI, new 756 m berth for vessels up to 14,000 TEU.
Mahajanga
Mahajanga (MG MJN) on the Mozambique Channel: feeder port for rice, salt and containers, cargo transhipped by barge. Larger loads via Toamasina.
Antsiranana
Antsiranana / Diego Suarez (MG DIE): natural harbour in northern Madagascar with naval drydock, tuna and general cargo, few containers. Alternative: Toamasina.
Toliara
Toliara/Tulear (MG TLE), Madagascar's second port: bulk, breakbulk, reefer at Mahavatsy, no container terminal. Cement in, timber out; boxes via Toamasina.
Andoany
Andoany (Hell-Ville) is the commercial port of Nosy Be, Madagascar: sugar, coffee, vanilla, petroleum and containers worked at an open roadstead.
Tolanaro
Tolanaro/Fort-Dauphin (MG TLN): the deep-water Port d'Ehoala for ilmenite export (Rio Tinto/QMM). Madagascar's container traffic runs via Toamasina.

Main cargo airports

Ivato AirportTNR
Ivato Airport (TNR), Antananarivo: Madagascar's main air-cargo gateway. Vanilla, lychees and chilled seafood fly via Paris, Dubai and Addis Ababa.
Fascene AirportNOS
Fascene Airport (NOS), Nosy Be: Madagascar resort island served by Ethiopian, Neos and Air Austral. Belly cargo (seafood); larger volumes via Ivato (TNR).
Toamasina Ambalamanasy AirportTMM
Toamasina Ambalamanasy Airport (TMM): passenger field, no air cargo. City holds Madagascar's main seaport; airfreight via Ivato (TNR).

Road corridors

RN2 Antananarivo–Toamasina (main trade route to the port)
RN7 Antananarivo–Toliara
RN4 Antananarivo–Mahajanga

Rail corridors

MLA/TCE Antananarivo–Toamasina (northern network)
FCE Fianarantsoa–Manakara (East Coast)

Main trade lanes

Madagascar–EU (France)
Madagascar–China
Madagascar–USA (AGOA textiles)
Madagascar–UAE
Madagascar–India

Customs and import

Customs authority Directorate General of Customs (Malagasy Customs)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic declaration via SYDONIA++ (ASYCUDA++) and the Single Window TradeNet (operated by GasyNet); cargo tracking note (BSC) mandatory; clearance only by approved customs agents (CAD).
Export customs system: Export declaration also via SYDONIA++/TradeNet; for vanilla, minerals and CITES goods, proofs of origin and permits are required.
Import VAT: Import VAT (TVA) 20 percent standard rate on the customs value; 0 percent for staple foods, books and medicines. Additionally, GasyNet fee of 0,5 percent on the CIF value.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Preferential proofs of origin for SADC, COMESA and EU-ESA-EPA (movement certificate EUR.1); AGOA origin declaration for the USA; AfCFTA since ratification in December 2024.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Export ban on rosewood and palisander (CITES); permit requirement for precious woods, protected species and minerals; import restrictions, including for powdered milk, to protect local production (Finance Law 2026).

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Transport document (B/L or AWB)
Cargo tracking note (BSC)
Packing list
Insurance certificate
Tax number certificate (NIF)

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Export declaration (SYDONIA++)
Certificate of origin / EUR.1
Phytosanitary certificate
CITES permit for protected goods

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium to high
Customs delays: Medium to high
Port congestion: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Low

Trade

Top import partners

China France United Arab Emirates India South Africa

Top export partners

France China United States Germany India

Top import goods

Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Food
Chemicals

Top export goods

Vanilla
Cloves
Coffee
Nickel + cobalt
Textiles

Typical cargo

Vanilla
Cloves
Textiles and clothing
Nickel and cobalt
Petroleum products (imports)
Machinery and vehicles (imports)

Logistics questions

What is the import VAT (TVA) rate in Madagascar?

The standard VAT rate is 20 percent and is levied on the customs value. Staple foods, books and medicines are subject to a 0 percent rate. In addition, there is a GasyNet fee of 0,5 percent on the CIF value.

What are the import duty rates?

Customs duty rates are usually 0, 5, 10 or 20 percent, depending on the type of goods, and are adjusted annually through the Finance Law. The Finance Law 2026 has been in force since 1 January 2026.

Which customs system does Madagascar use?

Customs declarations are submitted electronically via SYDONIA++ (ASYCUDA++) and the Single Window TradeNet, operated by GasyNet. Clearance must be carried out by an approved customs agent (CAD).

Is a cargo tracking note required?

Yes. For all shipments destined for Madagascar, a Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons (BSC / Cargo Tracking Note) is mandatory and is issued after the goods have been shipped.

Through which port does the main traffic run?

The seaport of Toamasina (Tamatave) is the country's most important port; its container terminal MICTSL handles around 90 percent of container traffic. Other ports are Ehoala, Mahajanga, Antsiranana and Toliara.

Which trade agreements apply to Madagascar?

Madagascar is a member of SADC, COMESA and the AfCFTA and has an Interim-EPA with the EU; an extended EU-ESA EPA was concluded on 10. June 2026. For the USA, preferences exist under AGOA, whose status is under review in 2026.

What logistical risks exist?

Key risks are political uncertainty after the coup of October 2025, the cyclone season from November to April with port closures, and limited road and rail infrastructure into the hinterland.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗