Includes information on average tariff rates and types that U.S. firms should be aware of when exporting to the market.
Last Published: 4/11/2019

As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Malawi grants reciprocal preferences to member states of these organizations.  Malawi also has bilateral trade agreements with South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe which allow duty exemptions on selected commodities.  The SADC Trade Protocol calls for the establishment of a SADC Free Trade Area that stipulates the gradual elimination of tariffs between member states. In principle, the SADC FTA took effect in January 2008, although certain members (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia) are still implementing their scheduled tariff phase-down.

In general, import duties and excise taxes vary according to product, country of origin, end use, and national interest decisions.  Depending on the good, import duty, excise tax, and value added tax (VAT) may all be charged.  The Malawi Investment and Trade Center posts relevant information on its website http://trade.mitc.mw/, and can assist foreign and domestic companies in identifying incentives available to them and liaising with other government authorities to identify the relevant rates for the company’s products.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.