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Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
Madagascar's customs regulations are complex and the documentation requirements differ significantly depending on the importer's status. The list below is not exhaustive; Malagasy customs reserves the right to request additional documentation. Always confirm the full requirements with the destination agent before shipping.
- Client's passport (more than one year old); foreign passport if dual nationality
- Original or copy of plane ticket with original boarding pass and/or baggage ticket, or email confirmation from the airline or travel agency
- Original detailed inventory in French, valued, dated, and signed by the Madagascar Embassy or Malagasy Consulate in the country of departure
- *All effects must be valued. Electronics must state make, model, and serial number.*
- Signed list of all books, CDs, and DVDs
- Packing list (original, issued at origin on the day items are collected)
- 2 original bills of lading (OBL), or telex release / sea waybill / airway bill (AWB)
- *Express release is generally not accepted for sea shipments*
- Madagascar Embassy / Malagasy Consulate Relocation Certificate (FDD) from the country of departure, or a Ministry of Foreign Affairs non-representation certificate in Madagascar
- Certificate of change of residence from the town hall of the city of departure
- Visa or residence permit in the country of departure (more than one year before final arrival date)
- Handwritten letter to the Head of Customs Regulation and Legislation Department requesting tax exemption
- Letter of commitment, legalized by Malagasy town hall (form provided by destination agent)
- Free-of-charge letter, legalized by Malagasy town hall (form provided by destination agent)
- Residence certificate in Madagascar
- Copy of JIRAMA bill (electricity and water) at the same address as the inventory
- Certified copy of passport from the Malagasy town hall
- Copy of Malagasy identity card
- If applicable: proof of any passage in Madagascar during the 12 months before final arrival, and proof of break of stay if the client travelled outside Madagascar after final arrival
- Copy of passport and visa, certified by the assignee's organization
- Valued inventory signed by the assignee
- Attestation de Destination (official duty exemption permit)
- Work certification / MIDAC
- Title document (original or certified copy) if importing a vehicle
- *Diplomatic containers are scanned at the port but are not subject to customs inspection except in cases of force majeure.*
All of the documents listed for returning citizens above, plus additional documents depending on status:
- *Expatriate workers:* Employment authorization from EDBM Madagascar, certificate of employment, copy of work contract
- *French teachers / AEFE development workers:* Certificate of non-employment from EDBM Madagascar, certificate of employment, copy of work contract, employment contract or transfer for more than one year, copy of AEFE contract
- *Investors:* Certificate of non-employment from EDBM Madagascar, certificate of employment, copy of work contract, letter of nomination for employment, certified copies of the company's status documents
- *Family reunion visa holders:* Long-stay visa for family reunification, marriage certificate or family record book, original foreign identity card
- Long-stay visa or resident card (strictly more than one year) in Madagascar for tax exemption
Specific Information
Timing: All shipments must arrive within 4 months of the client's arrival in Madagascar. For sea shipments, the container can only reach the final port of destination approximately 1.5 months after the assignee's definitive arrival. For air shipments, the origin agent should only dispatch the shipment once the permanent visa is confirmed ready.
Customs exemption limit: The customs exemption on importation of personal effects is permitted only once per person.
Owner presence: The client must be present in Madagascar during the customs clearance process. All shipments are physically inspected.
Documentation language: All inventories and customs documentation must be in French.
GASYNET / BSC: All non-diplomatic shipments are subject to the SGS-managed cargo tracking system (CTN / BSC, Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison). The origin agent must provide the destination agent with the final sea or air waybill and a valued export customs declaration as soon as the shipment has departed. While the destination agent assists with tracking, it is ultimately the shipper's responsibility to complete the BSC process via the GasyNet system.
New items: All new items (original packaging, tags attached) are dutiable. The duty on new items is approximately 100% of declared value. Electrical items and appliances less than 6 months old require purchase receipts and incur tax and duty.
Appliance limits: Exemption is limited to 2 units per shipper of the following: bicycles, TVs, desktop computers, laptop computers, refrigerators, freezers, and cooking appliances (ovens, crock pots, etc.). Only 1 unit each is allowed of scanners, printers, copiers, or video projectors. Quantities exceeding these limits incur duty.
Household and garden tools are subject to import duty even if used.
Duties & Taxes
Duty-free conditions: Used household goods and personal effects (older than 6 months) may be imported duty-free provided the importation constitutes a genuine change of residence. The Certificate for Free Entry must be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Strict compliance with the documentation requirements is essential; non-compliance results in import duties of approximately 46% of cost and freight value.
VAT: Madagascar applies a 20% VAT on imports. All import shipments also incur a GASYNET tax of 0.3% of CIF value, plus 20% VAT on that 0.3%.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
- Firearms, ammunition, explosives, and military equipment [Permit Required]
- *Sport rifles require an agreement with the Defense Ministry*
- Weapons, knives, and deadly weapons
- Alcohol within household goods shipments (except Fond de Cave under 30 bottles)
- Pornographic and subversive materials
- Counterfeit goods and currency
- Stuffed (taxidermy) animals, birds, or fish
- Animal skins, furs, tusks, and horn [CITES]
- *Products derived from protected species require valid CITES permits*
- CB radios, walkie-talkies (including toy versions), GPS devices, and certain telecommunications equipment
- *Telephones and fax machines require an agreement with the Telecommunications and Post authority*
- Meat and meat products from outside Madagascar [Permit Required]
- *Require a health certificate and import authorization from the Regional Veterinary Service*
- Plants, plant products, and foodstuffs [Permit Required]
- *Require a phytosanitary certificate and import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries*
- Vegetable matter of any kind
- Non-prescription drugs
- Electronic equipment (commercially prohibited; personal-use electronics within limits are permitted as restricted/dutiable)
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Duty-Free Traveller Allowances
The following items may be imported duty-free in the quantities indicated:
Tobacco: 20 packs of cigarettes (400 cigarettes total), or 25 cigars, or 500 g of loose tobacco. Quantities in excess incur duty.
Alcohol within household shipments: Alcohol is generally prohibited within household goods shipments. However, "Fond de Cave" (personal wine collection) is accepted in limited quantities (under 30 bottles). The FIDI guide specifies the following duty-free limits for alcohol within shipments: 2 litres of whisky, 2 litres of champagne, 4 litres of wine or sparkling wine, 4 litres of liqueur.
Perfume: All perfume is subject to duty regulations and cannot enter the country free of charge.
Dutiable Items
- Electrical items, appliances, and electronics less than 6 months old (require receipts)
- Home computers in excess of 2 units
- Household and garden tools (dutiable even if used)
- New items of any kind (approximately 100% duty)
- All items exceeding the per-shipper appliance limits (see Household Goods section)
Currency
Travellers may import up to MGA 400,000 in local currency. Foreign currency may be imported without limit but amounts exceeding EUR 7,500 (or equivalent) must be declared to customs.
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Required Documents
- Original certificate of title and registration
- *Must have been registered in the owner's name for more than 12 months in the country of departure*
- Original purchase invoice or declaration of value
- Certificate of non-lien (valid for one month)
- Original bill of lading or airway bill
- Long-stay visa strictly longer than one year in Madagascar (for foreign citizens seeking tax exemption)
- For French cooperants: employment certificate issued by the French Embassy
- For diplomats: diplomatic passport and attestation de destination
Specific Information
Duty-free conditions (private individuals and companies): No duties are required if the vehicle registration has been in the owner's name for more than 12 months. If the registration has been in the owner's name for less than 12 months, duties of approximately 118% of the CIF value of the shipment apply.
French cooperants: Approximately 59% of CIF value if owned more than 12 months; approximately 118% of CIF value if owned less than 12 months.
Diplomats: Exempt from customs duties and SGS inspections on cars and motorbikes.
Right-hand drive prohibition: Importation of vehicles with right-hand steering is prohibited in Madagascar. Only left-hand drive vehicles are permitted.
Vehicle age limit: Madagascar imposes restrictions on the age of imported used vehicles, with a general limit of approximately 5 years for used cars. Confirm the current age limit with the destination agent before shipping.
Resale penalty: If a vehicle imported duty-free is subsequently sold in Madagascar, a tax of approximately 75% of CIF value is payable upon the owner's departure.
SGS inspection: For all non-diplomatic shippers, vehicles are unloaded from the sea container at the port of entry and subject to GasyNet/SGS inspection before delivery to Antananarivo by a special vehicle carrier. The inspection process is lengthy and will likely lead to port storage charges, which must be settled in full by the shipper before delivery.
Combined shipments: When household goods and a motor vehicle are in the same container, demurrage charges should be expected as the customs procedure takes longer to complete. Household goods and vehicles must originate from the same country.
Vehicle duties (general commercial import): Vehicles capable of carrying more than 10 people are subject to 20% customs duty plus 20% VAT. Lighter vehicles may benefit from a 15% reduction under the IEPA (Interim Economic Partnership Agreement). Disabled-accessible vehicles are exempt from VAT.
Pets
- Import authorization, obtained prior to departure from the Director of Veterinary Services (Direction des Services Veterinaires), BP 291, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
- *Must be applied for before departure. Contact: +261 20 24 636 38*
- Veterinary health certificate (Certificat Sanitaire et d'Origine), issued within 15 days of departure by the regional Director of Veterinary Services in the country of origin
- *Must state information about the owner and provide a complete description of the animal. Must specify the animal is in good health and that the establishment and province of origin have been free of any infectious disease for the required period.*
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- *Vaccination must have been administered between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry*
- Microchip (ISO standard recommended)
Vaccination requirements: All cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry. Dogs over 3 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats over 6 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies, feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.
Inspection on arrival: All animals are subject to veterinary inspection upon arrival. Quarantine may be imposed if the animal does not meet requirements.
Import permit required: Unlike many countries, Madagascar requires an import authorization obtained in advance from the Malagasy veterinary authorities. This is a critical step that must be completed before departure.
Rabies titre test: Not required for entry to Madagascar.
Restricted species: Madagascar has strict controls on the importation of animals to protect its unique ecosystem. Certain exotic pets, invasive species, and endangered animals are prohibited. Wolf hybrids and Savannah/Bengal cats (unless 5th generation removed) cannot be imported under standard pet regulations.
Endorsement: The health certificate should be endorsed by the relevant government authority in the country of origin (e.g. USDA for the US, CFIA for Canada, DDPP for France).
Common mistakes: Failing to obtain the import authorization before departure (this cannot be arranged on arrival). Rabies vaccination administered fewer than 30 days or more than 12 months before entry. Health certificate issued more than 15 days before departure.
Special Categories
Books, Tapes, and Discs
Books, audio tapes/CDs, and video tapes/DVDs require an agreement from the Interior Ministry. A detailed signed inventory list is required. These items will be censored and may be held for delivery to the residence by a customs agent or inspector.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments. The customs regulations in Madagascar are complex; always request the destination agent's approval before shipping.
Document submission: All required documents must be sent to the destination agent at least 15 days prior to the shipment's arrival. For diplomatic shipments, documents must be sent 30 days prior.
Clearance times: Customs clearance takes approximately 5 working days for ocean shipments and 2-3 days for air shipments. Customs offices are only open on weekdays. Shipments arriving Thursday or Friday will not be cleared over the weekend, incurring a 2-day delay. Free storage is limited to 3 days; charges apply thereafter.
Port of entry: The principal port for Madagascar is the Port of Toamasina (Tamatave). Air shipments arrive via Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo.
Visa timing: For foreign nationals, the green light for shipment can only be given once the client has arrived in Madagascar and the date of issue of their long-stay visa is confirmed. Air shipments should not be dispatched until the permanent visa is ready.
Export declaration: The origin agent must provide the destination agent with the final sea or air waybill and a valued household goods export customs declaration from the origin country customs authority as soon as the shipment has departed.
Power of attorney: A power of attorney giving authority for the destination agent to arrange customs clearance is required.
Owner presence: The owner must be present in Madagascar before the shipment arrives and during the clearance process.
Flammable materials surcharge: A 50% surcharge applies at the destination port if the bill of lading notes a presence of flammable or dangerous liquids (e.g. fuel remaining in a vehicle).
ISPM 15: Madagascar does not impose ISPM 15 requirements for wood packaging material.
Currency note: Madagascar is primarily a cash-driven economy. The local currency is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA). Credit cards are rarely accepted outside high-end establishments in Antananarivo. ATMs accepting Visa (generally not MasterCard) are available in large cities. US $100 bills are frequently refused at banks and businesses.
Cultural & Other Information
- OpenFactBook -- Madagascar *(community-maintained successor to the CIA World Factbook, which was discontinued in February 2026)*
- Wikipedia -- Madagascar
- Direction Generale des Douanes de Madagascar *(French only)*
- U.S. State Department -- Madagascar Travel Advisory
- FIDI Import Customs Guide -- Madagascar (Aug 2023, PDF)
- EU Pet Travel Rules
International Association of Movers (IAM) 1600 Duke Street, Suite 440 · Alexandria, VA 22314, USA Phone: +1 703-317-9950 · iamovers.org
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