Country Guide: Madagascar

Updated: November 23, 2015

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required                                          

  • Original Passport showing the Entry Permit
  • Packing list
  • Original Bill of Lading (OBL) – no Express Release accepted / Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Original inventory in French dated, valued and signed by the shipper
  • Invoice from JIRAMA (water supplier) at the same address as on the inventory
  • Original Work Permit issued by employer
  • Work Authorization issued by Labor Ministry in Madagascar
  • Original Certificate of Change of Residence issued at origin
  • Original Residence Certificate issued by the Fokontany in Madagascar
  • Bordereau de suivi de cargaison (BSC)
  • Certificate for Free Entry

 

Specific Information

  • The Certificate for Free Entry must be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for duty-free import.
  • There is no import duty if household goods are older than 6 months and the importation is considered as a move (Change of Residence Certificate is required).
  • The duty on new items is 100%.
  • All import shipments are subject to a GASYNET tax of 0.3% of cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value plus 20% value added tax (VAT) of 0.3%.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Employment Certificate issued by the French Embassy (French cooperants)
  • OBL
  • Purchase Invoice
  • Certificate of Title / Registration

 

Specific Information

  • When household goods and a motor vehicle are in the same container, demurrage charges are to be expected as the Customs procedure generally takes longer to complete.
  • Diplomats are exempt from duties on cars or motorbikes.
  • The Employment Certificate must be provided to agent upon arrival in Madagascar.
  • All French coopérants must pay duties as follows:
    • Approximately 59% of the CIF value of the shipment is required if the registration papers have been in the name of the shipper for more than 1 year
    • Approximately 118% of the CIF value of the shipment if the registration papers have been in the name of the shipper for less than 1 year
  • Private individuals or companies must be duties as follows:
    • No duties are required if the registration papers have been in the name of the shipper for more than 1 year (private individuals or companies)
    • Approximately 118% of the CIF value of the shipment is required if the registration papers have been in the name of the shipper for less than 1 year.

Pets

Documents Required

  • Vaccination Record
  • Veterinary Health Certificate

 

Specific Information

  • All animals are subject to inspection upon arrival.
  • The Veterinary Health Certificate issued from the country of origin must indicate that the animal does not have a contagious disease.
  • Dogs over 3 months of age and cats over 6 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies within 1 month of import.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • The following items may qualify for free import if within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes (500), cigars (25), tobacco (500 g)
    • Alcohol (1 bottle)
  • Alcohol (only “Fond de Cave”) is acceptable (less than 30 bottles)

Prohibited Items

  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Unlawful drugs

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.madagascar-embassy.org/embassy/index.html

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_957.html