6
Trade frameworks
0%
Duty on eligible goods
150+
Countries covered
3
Certificate types
Madagascar Trade Hub
Six trade agreements. One destination. Zero duty.
Madagascar benefits from preferential trade access to over 150 countries through APEi, AGOA, SADC, COMESA, ZLECAf, and ACP/EPA. Understanding which agreement applies to your product — and how to claim the duty savings — is the difference between margin and margin erosion.
This page maps every preferential trade agreement available to Madagascar exporters and importers. For each framework, we cover eligibility rules, product coverage, certificate of origin requirements, and worked duty-savings examples.
Trade Agreement Matrix
Madagascar's six preferential trade frameworks at a glance.
| Agreement | Partner | Key Benefit | Certificate Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| APEi | European Union | Duty-free, quota-free access for virtually all Malagasy exports to the EU 27 member states. | EUR. |
| AGOA | United States | Duty-free access for over 1,800 tariff lines including garment textiles, vanilla, and seafood. Extended through December 2026. | AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin for garment exports. |
| SADC | 16 Southern African states | Preferential tariff rates on intra-SADC trade. Access to South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, and other Southern African markets. | SADC Preferential Certificate of Origin. |
| COMESA | 21 Eastern and Southern African states | Preferential market access across 21 member states including Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the DRC. | COMESA Certificate of Origin (Form D). |
| ZLECAf | 54 African Union member states | Continental free trade area covering 1.3 billion people. Progressive tariff liberalisation on 90% of tariff lines. | AfCFTA Certificate of Origin — standardised form across all 54 member states. |
| ACP/EPA | EU (successor to Cotonou Agreement) | Successor framework to the Cotonou Agreement. Madagascar's EPA with the EU is the APEi — the same agreement governs the ACP–EU trade relationship for Madagascar. | EUR. |
Agreement Details
Eligibility, coverage, and duty savings for each framework.
APEiEuropean Union+
Eligibility Rules
Product must originate in Madagascar. Rules of origin: wholly obtained or sufficient processing within Madagascar. Typically requires a change in tariff heading (CTH) or value-added threshold of 30–40% depending on the product chapter.
Product Coverage
Vanilla, cloves, textiles, seafood (tuna, shrimp), minerals (ilmenite, graphite), vanilla extract, essential oils.
Certificate of Origin
EUR.1 movement certificate issued by Madagascar Customs (DGD). Alternatively, a supplier's declaration for consignments below EUR 6,000. Valid for 10 months from issuance.
Duty Savings Examples
Standard MFN duties on Madagascar products entering the EU range from 5% to 15%. APEi eliminates these entirely. Example: vanilla (HS 1211) — MFN duty of 2.3% → 0% under APEi. Textiles (HS 6109) — MFN duty of 12% → 0% under APEi.
AGOAUnited States+
Eligibility Rules
Madagascar must meet AGOA eligibility criteria (democracy, rule of law, human rights, market economy). Product must meet AGOA-specific rules of origin — the Third Country Fabric provision allows EPZ garment factories to use non-originating fabric and still qualify.
Product Coverage
Garment textiles (HS 61, 62), vanilla (HS 1211), cloves, seafood, essential oils, sisal.
Certificate of Origin
AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin for garment exports. For non-textile products, standard commercial documents suffice. Filing through CBP (US Customs and Border Protection) system.
Duty Savings Examples
Standard MFN duties on garment imports to the US range from 12% to 32%. AGOA eliminates these entirely for qualifying Madagascar products. Example: woven cotton shirts (HS 6205) — MFN duty of 20% → 0% under AGOA. Vanilla extract (HS 1211) — MFN duty of free → 0% under AGOA.
SADC16 Southern African states+
Eligibility Rules
Product must be wholly obtained or undergo sufficient transformation in a SADC member state. Value-added threshold: 25% minimum for most products, with specific rules for automotive (45%) and textiles (50%). Cumulation allowed among SADC members.
Product Coverage
Manufactured goods, automotive parts, agricultural products, textiles, processed foods, minerals.
Certificate of Origin
SADC Preferential Certificate of Origin. Form issued by the Madagascar Customs Authority (DGD) or designated chamber of commerce. Must indicate the HS code and confirm compliance with SADC rules of origin.
Duty Savings Examples
SADC tariff reductions vary by product and member state. South Africa applies a 0% duty on qualifying SADC imports for most products. Example: motor vehicle parts (HS 8708) — MFN duty of 15–25% → 0% under SADC. Processed foods (HS 1905) — MFN duty of 10% → 0% under SADC.
COMESA21 Eastern and Southern African states+
Eligibility Rules
Rules of origin: 25% value-added rule (general), or change in tariff heading (CTH). Specific product rules exist for textiles, automobiles, and agricultural products. Cumulation allowed among COMESA members.
Product Coverage
Textiles, agricultural products, minerals, fish, manufactured goods. Specific concessions for LDC members including Madagascar.
Certificate of Origin
COMESA Certificate of Origin (Form D). Issued by the Madagascar Customs Authority. Must be presented at the destination customs for preferential tariff application. Valid for 180 days.
Duty Savings Examples
COMESA preferential tariffs are typically 0–5% compared to MFN rates of 10–25%. Example: cotton textiles (HS 5208) — MFN duty 15% → 0–5% under COMESA. Fish fillets (HS 0304) — MFN duty 20% → 0% under COMESA for LDC exports.
ZLECAf54 African Union member states+
Eligibility Rules
Rules of origin are product-specific, generally requiring 25–40% value-added within the AfCFTA zone. Cumulation is continental — inputs from any AfCFTA member can count toward origin. Implementation is phased over 5–13 years.
Product Coverage
Broad-based: manufacturing, agriculture, services. Tariff concessions are being implemented in schedules — Phase 1 (tariff liberalisation) is active for most countries, Phase 2 (trade in services) is ongoing.
Certificate of Origin
AfCFTA Certificate of Origin — standardised form across all 54 member states. Issued by designated issuing authorities in each country. Madagascar's issuing authority is the DGD. Transitional period allows existing certificates (SADC, COMESA) to be used until full AfCFTA systems are deployed.
Duty Savings Examples
ZLECAf aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods. Current savings vary by product and partner state as concessions phase in. Example: processed foods entering Kenya — MFN duty 25% → 0% under ZLECAf (once fully implemented). Textiles entering Nigeria — MFN duty 20% → 0–5% under ZLECAf.
ACP/EPAEU (successor to Cotonou Agreement)+
Eligibility Rules
Identical to APEi rules. The EPA/ACP framework ensures non-reciprocal duty-free access for Madagascar exports to the EU. The post-Cotonou Samoa Agreement (2023) governs the broader ACP–EU relationship.
Product Coverage
Same as APEi: vanilla, textiles, seafood, minerals, and other Malagasy export products.
Certificate of Origin
EUR.1 movement certificate or supplier's declaration — same as APEi process.
Duty Savings Examples
Equivalent to APEi: MFN duties eliminated for qualifying Madagascar exports to the EU 27.
Certificate of Origin Process
How to claim preferential tariff rates.
Confirm product eligibility
Verify that your product meets the rules of origin for the target agreement. Check the HS code classification and confirm the applicable value-added threshold or processing requirement.
Prepare supporting documents
Gather the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and production records. For APEi, maintain records showing the origin and processing of raw materials. For AGOA garments, keep fabric sourcing documentation.
Submit application to DGD
File the certificate of origin application with Madagascar Customs (Direction Générale des Douanes). For APEi EUR.1 certificates, the DGD reviews and stamps the form. Processing takes 1–2 working days.
Present at destination customs
The original certificate of origin must be presented at the importing country's customs at the time of clearance. For APEi, the EUR.1 certificate is valid for 10 months. For COMESA Form D, validity is 180 days. Keep copies for your records.
Need help with certificate of origin applications? Contact Ekutano or consult our export guide.
LDC Status & Graduation Timeline
Madagascar's Least Developed Country status and what comes next.
2024
Madagascar classified as LDC
GNI per capita remains below the graduation threshold. Madagascar continues to benefit from EBA, AGOA TCF, and LDC-specific COMESA provisions.
2026
AGOA reauthorised through Dec 2026
Third Country Fabric provision preserved. Garment exporters retain duty-free US market access. 2027 cliff risk if not renewed.
2027
Potential AGOA renewal discussion
If AGOA is not renewed, Madagascar garment exports face MFN duties of 12–32%. Early market diversification planning essential.
2029–2030
Possible LDC graduation assessment
If GNI per capita exceeds the threshold for two consecutive years, Madagascar may be recommended for graduation. A 3-year transition period follows.
2032–2033
LDC graduation (if triggered)
Loss of EBA preferences, AGOA TCF benefits, and certain COMESA LDC concessions. Transition to APEi standard rates and ZLECAf continental access.
Preference erosion risk
Upon LDC graduation, Madagascar would lose EBA preferences in the EU, the Third Country Fabric provision under AGOA, and certain COMESA LDC-specific concessions. Vanilla, textiles, and seafood — Madagascar's three largest export categories — would face MFN duties of 2–32% in their primary markets. Early planning, market diversification, and product upgrading are essential.
Check if your product qualifies for preferential rates.
Tell us your product HS code and destination market. We will confirm which trade agreement applies and guide you through the certificate of origin process.
Madagascar trade agreements — a practical overview.
Madagascar holds six preferential trade frameworks covering duty-free access to the EU, US, Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, and the African continent. Each agreement requires specific rules of origin compliance and a corresponding certificate of origin. Choosing the right framework for your product and destination — and obtaining the correct documentation — is critical to claiming duty savings.
Questions fréquentes
FAQ Madagascar trade agreements.
What trade agreements does Madagascar benefit from?+
Madagascar benefits from six major trade frameworks: APEi with the European Union, AGOA with the United States, SADC (Southern African Development Community), COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), ZLECAf (AfCFTA), and the ACP/EPA partnership with the EU. Each framework has distinct eligibility rules, product coverage, and certificate of origin requirements.
What is APEi and how does it benefit Madagascar?+
APEi (Economic Partnership Agreement in Implementation) is the EU–Madagascar trade agreement granting duty-free, quota-free access for virtually all Malagasy exports to the EU. It replaced the previous interim EPA. Product coverage includes vanilla, textiles, seafood, and minerals. A valid EUR.1 movement certificate or supplier's declaration is required to claim preferential rates.
Is Madagascar still eligible for AGOA in 2026?+
Yes. AGOA was reauthorised through December 2026 (retroactive to September 2025). Madagascar-eligible products — primarily garment textiles, vanilla, and seafood — enter the US duty-free under AGOA. The Third Country Fabric provision allows Madagascar EPZ garment factories to use third-country fabric and still qualify. Exporters must obtain an AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin.
How does SADC benefit Madagascar imports?+
As a SADC member, Madagascar benefits from preferential tariff rates on goods originating within the SADC bloc. SADC rules of origin generally require that products be wholly obtained or undergo sufficient transformation (value-added threshold of at least 25–45% depending on the product). South African manufactured goods, automotive parts, and agricultural products commonly qualify.
What does COMESA membership mean for Madagascar trade?+
COMESA provides preferential market access across 21 member states. Madagascar exporters can access markets in Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, and other COMESA states under reduced tariffs. COMESA rules of origin follow a 25% value-added rule or the change in tariff heading (CTH) method. A COMESA Certificate of Origin is required.
What is ZLECAf and when will it affect Madagascar?+
ZLECAf (ZLECAf / AfCFTA) is the African Continental Free Trade Area. Phase 1 tariff liberalisation schedules are being implemented, with rules of origin and tariff concessions progressively rolled out. For Madagascar, ZLECAf opens continental market access, but implementation is gradual — product-specific rules and tariff reductions phase in over 5–13 years depending on the country group.
How do I obtain a certificate of origin for preferential tariff rates?+
Certificates of origin are issued by the Madagascar Customs Authority (DGD) or designated chambers of commerce. For APEi, you need an EUR.1 certificate or statement on invoice. For AGOA, an AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin (for garments). For SADC and COMESA, a standardised Preferential Certificate of Origin form must be completed and stamped. All require proof that goods meet the applicable rules of origin.
What are Madagascar's LDC benefits and when might it graduate?+
As a Least Developed Country, Madagascar receives duty-free, quota-free market access in the EU (EBA), US (AGOA), and other preference programmes. LDC graduation is triggered when Madagascar's GNI per capita exceeds the threshold for two consecutive years. Madagascar's current GNI per capita remains below the threshold, but graduation planning should begin early — preference erosion upon graduation could affect vanilla, textile, and seafood exports significantly.
Can I combine benefits from multiple trade agreements?+
In principle, yes — a single product can qualify under multiple agreements if it meets the rules of origin for each. For example, Malagasy vanilla exported to the EU can claim APEi duty-free rates, while the same vanilla exported to the US can claim AGOA duty-free rates. However, you must obtain the correct certificate of origin for each destination market. Double preferences on a single shipment to one destination are not permitted.
What happens to Madagascar's trade preferences if it graduates from LDC status?+
Upon LDC graduation, Madagascar would lose access to the EU's Everything But Arms (EBA) preferences, the AGOA TCF provisions, and certain COMESA LDC-specific benefits. It would transition to standard APEi rates and would need to rely on SADC and ZLECAf for preferential access. Early preparation — including diversifying export markets and upgrading product quality — is essential to mitigate preference erosion.