Mongolia: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 3 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Mongolia.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

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

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On the sanctions lists

3 entries on the official lists name Mongolia — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	2	2	—	—
US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Mongolia recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Mongolia: logistics and trade

Double landlocked country, mining exporter, transit via China and Russia

Mongolia (ISO code: MN) lies in Central Asia between Russia to the north and China to the south and, with around 3.5 million people across some 1.56 million km2, is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. It is a parliamentary republic with democratic structures since the 1990s. The climate is strongly continental, with very cold winters, short hot summers and low precipitation. The economy is dominated by mining (copper, coal, gold, uranium), complemented by livestock herding, cashmere production and a growing services sector. As a doubly landlocked country, Mongolia has no sea access; foreign trade runs almost entirely in transit via China (mainly the port of Tianjin) and through Russia. The backbone of logistics is the Trans-Mongolian Railway on Russian broad gauge (1520 mm) with a gauge change at the Chinese border at Zamyn-Uud/Erenhot, complemented by the road network. Key exports are mining goods and cashmere, while fuels, machinery, vehicles and consumer goods are imported. The national currency is the tugrik (MNT).

Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Population: 3,544,835
Area: 1,564,116 km²
Currency: Mongolian Tugrik (MNT)
Continent: Asia
Region: Central Asia
Economic area: APTA / Japan-Mongolia EPA
Religions: Buddhism, Atheists, Shamanists
Access to the sea: Landlocked

Transport modes Rail · Road · Air

Current situation: New Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) in operation since 2021. Expansion of the railway (Tavan Tolgoi–Gashuunsuchait opened in 2022) and of border capacity for coal exports to China.
Seasonal conditions: Extreme continental climate; harsh winters (dzud) with snow and ice hinder road transport; spring sandstorms. Summers are short and hot.

Road corridors

AH3 Ulan-Bator–Zamyn-Üüd–Erenhot (CN)
AH4 Ulan-Bator–Altanbulag (RU)
Gashuunsuchait–Ganqimaodu (CN, coal)

Rail corridors

Trans-Mongolian Railway: Naushki (RU)–Ulan-Bator–Zamyn-Üüd/Erenhot (CN)
Broad gauge 1520 mm, gauge change at the CN border
Tavan Tolgoi–Gashuunsuchait (coal, since 2022)

Inland ports

Zamyn-Üüd (dry port, CN border)
Altanbulag/Sühbaatar (RU border)
Gashuunsuchait (coal export CN)

Main trade lanes

MN–China
MN–Russia
MN–Japan
MN–EU

Customs and import

Customs authority Customs General Administration of Mongolia (Mongolian Customs)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic customs declaration via the Customs Automated Information System (CAIS), e-portal gaali.mn; in operation since 2019. The customs valuation basis is generally the CIF value.
Export customs system: Export declaration via CAIS/gaali.mn at the Customs General Administration; certificates of origin under the Japan EPA and APTA. Export duties apply to, among other things, camel wool and wood.
Import VAT: Import VAT of 10 percent on the customs value, uniform rate without reduced rates; due at customs clearance.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Preferential origin under the Japan-Mongolia EPA and the APTA (certificate of origin); for EU exporters, Mongolia's EU market access as a GSP beneficiary is relevant.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Authorization required for, among others, weapons, ammunition, explosives, narcotics, radioactive and toxic substances, and protected cultural and natural property (CITES).

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Transport document (CMR/rail waybill)
Customs declaration (CAIS)
Packing list
Licenses/permits

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Transport document
Certificate of origin (EPA/APTA)
Export declaration (CAIS)

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

China Russia Japan South Korea United States

Top export partners

China Russia South Korea Japan Switzerland

Top import goods

Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Electronics
Food

Top export goods

Copper concentrates
Coal
Gold
Cashmere wool
Crude oil

Typical cargo

Copper concentrate
Coal
Gold
Cashmere/wool
Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Consumer goods

Logistics questions

What import taxes apply in Mongolia?

Imports are subject to 10 percent VAT on the customs value (single rate). Customs duties of 5 to 40 percent apply depending on the goods; certain items such as petroleum, data-processing machines, medical equipment and breeding livestock are duty-free. Excise tax additionally applies to tobacco, alcohol, fuels and vehicles.

Which customs system does Mongolia use?

The Customs General Administration processes declarations electronically via the Customs Automated Information System (CAIS); the e-portal gaali.mn offers filing and online payment. The system has been in use since 2019 and covers import, export and transit.

Does Mongolia have a seaport?

No. Mongolia is doubly landlocked with no sea access. Overseas trade runs in transit via Chinese ports, mainly Tianjin, and through Russia. The key crossing to China is Zamyn-Uud/Erenhot.

What is the best way to bring goods into Mongolia?

The backbone is the Trans-Mongolian Railway from Russia via Ulaanbaatar to the Chinese border; due to Russian broad gauge (1520 mm) a gauge change takes place at the Chinese border. Road corridors and air freight via Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) complement this.

Which trade agreements and preferences apply?

Mongolia has an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan (in force since 7 June 2016) and has been a member of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) since 1 January 2021. There is no free trade agreement with EFTA or a comprehensive EU FTA; towards the EU, Mongolia benefits from the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP).

What logistics risks exist in Mongolia?

As a doubly landlocked country, foreign trade depends almost entirely on transit via China and Russia. At the Zamyn-Uud/Erenhot crossing, the gauge change and high volumes cause congestion and delays. Severe winters (dzud) and sandstorms can disrupt road transport.

Which currency is used in Mongolia?

The national currency is the Mongolian tugrik (ISO code MNT). Foreign-trade invoices are often denominated in US dollars or other hard currencies.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗