Myanmar: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeArms embargo and targeted sanctions on the military regime; most civilian trade is permitted.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 138 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Myanmar.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

A sanctions programme concerning Myanmar is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.

Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Myanmar/Burma (28 Apr 2026) · SECO — Massnahmen gegenüber Myanmar · OFAC — Sanctions Programs and Country Information (active programs) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Check a shipment to Myanmar →

By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	—	No UN sanctions regime.
EU	Sanctions programme	Arms embargo, dual-use and repression-goods bans, listings (renewed to Apr 2027).
Switzerland	Sanctions programme	Arms, repression goods, dual-use and surveillance bans.
UK	Sanctions programme	UK Myanmar regime.
US	Sanctions programme	US Burma programme; arms-embargoed under US export controls.

On the sanctions lists

138 entries on the official lists name Myanmar — 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)	63	63	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	33	33	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	21	21	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	20	20	—	—
US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Myanmar recorded yet.

All updates →

Logistics profile

Myanmar: logistics and trade

Raw materials and textile exporter, dependent on imports, transit between China, India and ASEAN

Myanmar (ISO code: MM) lies in Southeast Asia, bordering Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh, with a coastline on the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Since the military coup of February 2021 the armed forces hold strong influence over government and administration. The climate is tropical monsoon, with a rainy season from May to October. The economy relies on natural resources such as gas, gems and timber, plus agriculture and textile manufacturing. Foreign trade is dominated by exports of raw materials and garments, while machinery, fuels and consumer goods drive import dependence. There is no VAT; instead a commercial tax (standard rate 5 percent) and customs duties under the 2022 tariff apply. The ports of Yangon and Thilawa handle over 90 percent of trade. The currency is the kyat (MMK).

Capital: Naypyidaw
Population: 51,316,756
Area: 676,578 km²
Currency: Kyat (MMK)
Continent: Asia
Region: Southeast Asia
Economic area: ASEAN / RCEP
Religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Road · Rail · Inland waterway

Current situation: Since January 2026, a central bank reference rate of 2'100 kyat per US dollar applies for customs as well as import and export taxes. Yangon handles over 90 percent of foreign trade.
Seasonal conditions: Southwest monsoon from May to October with flooding and cyclone risk; the severe earthquake in March 2025 (Sagaing/Mandalay region) shows the seismic risk.

Main seaports

Sittwe
Sittwe (MM AKY): Myanmar port on the India-funded Kaladan transit corridor. Small general cargo, transit to NE India, limits and alternatives.
Rangoon
Yangon/Rangoon (MM RGN) is Myanmar's main container port, ~1M TEU. Terminals MIP, Ahlone and MITT Thilawa; feeder links to Singapore and Port Klang.
Bassein
Bassein/Pathein (MM BSX), Irrawaddy delta river port: rice exports, beans, corn, timber; ships up to ~10,000 t. Containers via Yangon (MITT, Thilawa).
Moulmein Harbor
Moulmein/Mawlamyine: Thanlwin river port in Myanmar for rice, teak and general cargo, no containers. Boxes route via Yangon/Thilawa.
Yetagun Marine Terminal
Yetagun Marine Terminal: offshore FSO exporting gas condensate in Myanmar's Andaman Sea. No container or general cargo; commercial freight routes via Yangon/Thilawa.

Main cargo airports

Yangon International AirportRGN
Yangon International (RGN/VYYY): Myanmar's main air freight gateway, Mingaladon cargo terminal with bonded and cold storage, mostly belly cargo and tight capacity.
Mandalay International AirportMDL
Mandalay International (MDL/VYMD): cargo terminal since 2019 with ~4,000 t annual capacity, cold storage to -20°C, handling by MK Hercules, limited air freight capacity.
Nay Pyi Taw International AirportNYT
Nay Pyi Taw International (NYT): Myanmar's capital airport, minimal air cargo and no storage. Freight consolidates at Yangon (RGN).

Road corridors

Yangon-Mandalay-Muse (China border, Ruili)
Yangon-Myawaddy (Thailand border, Mae Sot)
Mandalay-Tamu (India border)

Rail corridors

Yangon-Mandalay
Mandalay-Myitkyina
Yangon-Mawlamyine

Inland ports

Mandalay (Ayeyarwady River)
Bhamo
Pakokku

Main trade lanes

China (Muse / Kyaukphyu)
Thailand
Singapore
India
Japan

Customs and import

Customs authority Myanmar Customs Department (customs division within the Ministry of Finance)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic clearance via MACCS (Myanmar Automated Cargo Clearance System); many goods require an import licence.
Export customs system: Export clearance also via MACCS; numerous goods require an export licence from the trade authority.
Import VAT: No value added tax. Instead, Commercial Tax (sales tax) of 0 to 15 percent, standard rate 5 percent, which is also levied on imports.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: ASEAN trade with Form D (ATIGA), RCEP origin declaration and Form E (ASEAN-China); regional value content usually at least 40 percent.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Extensive licensing requirements for imports and exports; restrictions apply to gemstones, jade, teak and rice, among others; illegal trade is a risk.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
Import licence
Certificate of origin

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Export licence
Certificate of origin (Form D / Form E)
Bill of Lading

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

China Thailand Singapore Japan South Korea

Top export partners

China Thailand India Japan Singapore

Top import goods

Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Chemicals

Top export goods

Natural gas products
Clothing
Agricultural products
Wood

Typical cargo

Clothing and textiles
Natural gas
Agricultural products (rice, beans)
Gemstones and jade
Teak wood
Machinery
Fuels

Latest logistics news

China-Laos Railway Exceeds 90 Million Tonnes in Total Freight17 Sept 2026
The China-Laos Railway is developing into a regional trade corridor. A total of 90 million tonnes of freight have been transported, of which 21 million tonnes crossed borders.

Logistics questions

Is there a VAT in Myanmar?

No. Myanmar levies no VAT but a commercial tax of 0 to 15 percent with a standard rate of 5 percent. It also applies to imported goods, on top of customs duties.

Which system is used for customs clearance?

Import and export clearance is processed electronically via MACCS (Myanmar Automated Cargo Clearance System) of the Myanmar Customs Department. Many goods require import or export licences.

Which ports are most important for Myanmar?

The Port of Yangon with the Thilawa terminal handles over 90 percent of foreign trade. The Kyaukphyu deep-sea port in Rakhine is gaining importance through Chinese infrastructure projects; further ports include Mawlamyine, Sittwe and Dawei.

Does Myanmar benefit from free trade agreements?

Yes. As an ASEAN member since 1997, the ATIGA agreement applies with Form D origin proof. RCEP has been in force since 4 March 2022; in trade with China Form E can also be used. A regional value content of at least 40 percent is usually required.

Which currency and customs exchange rate apply?

The currency is the kyat (MMK). Since January 2026 a Central Bank reference rate of 2,100 kyat per US dollar applies for calculating duties and import/export taxes. Foreign-exchange controls complicate international payments.

What logistics risks exist in Myanmar?

Since the 2021 coup, political instability and armed conflict shape the country. Added to this are the southwest monsoon from May to October with flooding and the seismic risk demonstrated by the severe earthquake of March 2025.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗