Madagascar · Commerce extérieur

Madagascar gets duty-free access to 100% of tariff lines into China

Since 1 May 2026, the Chinese customs exemption already applicable to almost all Malagasy products has become part of the new regime extended to 53 African countries, reported by the Malagasy press on 9 May 2026. Products of Malagasy origin can now access the Chinese market free of import duty, subject to compliance with rules of origin and Chinese standards.

Published May 9, 2026 · Updated September 27, 2026

China's customs exemption for Madagascar is not a standalone 2026 measure: it was built up in stages. On 25 December 2023, 98% of Malagasy products had already gained duty-free access to the Chinese market. On 1 December 2024, this coverage was extended to 100% of tariff lines. On 1 May 2026, China extended this same zero-tariff principle to a total of 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with it, with Madagascar remaining fully covered by this framework.

According to the Malagasy press, the products most affected are cloves and clove essential oil, shrimp, stone construction materials, as well as fish, ornamental marine fish, sheep and goat meat, and groundnuts. Malagasy exports to China have exceeded $200 million a year over the past three years.

Duty-free access remains conditional on compliance with Chinese rules of origin, health standards and the quality controls imposed by the Chinese authorities on import. Local operators cited by the press stress the need for sufficient production volumes, consistent quality and structured support, notably through liaison offices, to turn this theoretical access into real market outlets.

The measure concerns Malagasy exporters to China. It does not change the customs duties or formalities applied by Malagasy customs to Chinese goods imported into Madagascar, which remain subject to the national customs tariff (generally between 5% and 20%, revised each year in the finance law) and to VAT in force.

What it changes for an importer

For an importer bringing goods from China into Madagascar, this exemption changes nothing about the cost of clearance on arrival: it benefits Malagasy exporters, not importers. The practical interest for a Sorva client based in Madagascar is indirect: it shows the growing intensity of trade with China and the traceability and quality requirements China imposes at origin, a framework Sorva knows well from applying it on the sourcing side. If a Malagasy client also wants to explore exporting to China alongside their import business, Sorva can point them to the relevant official resources, without standing in for dedicated export support.