Complete import guide
Sea freight · Air freight · Customs · Documents · Duties
Shipping to Madagascar: the complete import guide.
Whether you are moving a 20-foot container from Shanghai or sending an urgent parcel from Paris, every shipment into Madagascar follows the same two gateways: the sea route through Toamasina or the air route through Ivato. This guide covers both, plus the customs process, required documents, import duties, and seasonal factors that affect your transit time and landed cost.
Entry points
Two gateways handle all of Madagascar's inbound trade.
Over 90% of Madagascar's imports arrive by sea through Toamasina on the east coast. Air cargo enters through Ivato International Airport near Antananarivo. Your origin and cargo type determine which gateway you use.
Port of Toamasina
90%+ of tradeThe primary gateway for containerised imports and exports. The MICTSL container terminal handles FCL, LCL, break bulk, and reefer cargo with modern gantry cranes and RTG equipment. Almost every import into Madagascar discharges here before moving inland on the RN2 to Antananarivo.
Ivato International Airport (TNR)
Air cargo hubMadagascar's main air cargo terminal, located near Antananarivo. Handles express parcels, time-sensitive freight, and high-value goods. Airlines serving Ivato include Ethiopian Airlines, Air France, Turkish Airlines, and Air Mauritius, with connections through Addis Ababa, Paris, Istanbul, and Port Louis.
Sea freight
FCL or LCL: the first decision for every sea shipment.
Sea freight is the most common way to ship to Madagascar. The Port of Toamasina receives direct services from Durban (5-7 days), Jebel Ali (13-15 days), Nhava Sheva (15-22 days), and Shanghai (25-35 days). The choice between FCL and LCL depends on volume.
FCL (Full Container Load)
When to use: Shipments exceeding 15 CBM or 1 tonne
A 20' container holds roughly 28-30 CBM, a 40' holds 58-60 CBM. FCL gives you dedicated container space, lower per-unit cost, and reduced handling risk. Most commercial imports into Madagascar arrive as FCL via Toamasina.
LCL (Less than Container Load)
When to use: Shipments under 15 CBM
Your cargo consolidates with other shipments in a shared container. LCL suits trial orders, sample shipments, and small-volume imports. Transit time is slightly longer due to consolidation and deconsolidation at origin and destination.
Full corridor details, carrier schedules, and transit times are on the routes & ports page.
Air freight
When speed matters more than cost.
Air freight to Madagascar typically takes 4-12 days depending on the departure hub and routing. Use air for high-value, time-sensitive, or perishable cargo where the freight cost premium is justified by the faster transit. Most air cargo moves through Ivato International Airport near Antananarivo.
Ethiopian Airlines
Addis Ababa hub
Strongest African network into Ivato. Good for cargo originating from East Africa, Europe, and the Americas via Addis.
Air France
Paris CDG direct
Direct Paris-Antananarivo service. The default lane for European-origin pharma and time-sensitive cargo.
Turkish Airlines
Istanbul hub
Growing presence. Useful for cargo from Turkey, Central Asia, and secondary European cities.
Air Mauritius
Port Louis hub
Regional feeder service. Connects Madagascar to the broader Indian Ocean network and onward to Asia.
Express courier
Door-to-door in 3-7 days for small parcels.
DHL, FedEx, and UPS all serve Madagascar for express parcel deliveries. These services handle customs clearance as part of the door-to-door offering, making them the simplest option for documents, samples, and small parcels under 30 kg. Transit time is typically 3-7 business days from major global hubs.
Express courier is cost-effective for small, urgent shipments but becomes expensive for heavier or bulkier cargo. For anything above 30 kg or multiple cartons, compare the express rate against air freight pricing.
Required documents
What you need before your cargo ships.
Madagascar requires specific documentation for all imports. Missing or incorrect documents cause delays at Toamasina. Prepare these before shipment rather than scrambling at destination.
Commercial Invoice
RequiredOriginal invoice from the seller detailing goods, quantities, values, and Incoterms. Must match the bill of lading and packing list exactly.
Packing List
RequiredItemised list of contents, weights, and dimensions for each package. Used for customs inspection and warehouse receiving.
Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air)
RequiredThe transport contract and proof of shipment. Original BL required for sea freight; AWB is non-negotiable for air.
BSC (Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison)
RequiredMadagascar's Cargo Tracking Note. Must be filed before goods are shipped. Non-compliance results in cargo being held at port.
Certificate of Origin
Required for preferential tariff treatment under trade agreements (APEi, SADC, COMESA, AfCFTA). Standard imports do not require this document.
Product-Specific Certificates
Phytosanitary certificates for food products, CE marks for electronics, MSDS for chemicals, and health certificates for pharmaceuticals. Requirements depend on HS code.
Customs clearance
The ASYCUDA World process, step by step.
Madagascar clears imports through ASYCUDA World, filed via the GasyNet portal on behalf of the Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD). Standard clearance takes 2-3 business days from declaration submission, though red-channel inspections can add 1-3 days.
1
BSC Filing
The Cargo Tracking Note (Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison) is filed before goods depart origin. This is a mandatory pre-shipment requirement.
2
Declaration Submission
The customs declarant submits the import declaration through ASYCUDA World via the GasyNet portal, including all supporting documents and HS classification.
3
Risk Channel Assignment
ASYCUDA assigns a risk channel based on the declarant's track record, cargo type, and value: green (automatic release), yellow (document review), or red (physical inspection).
4
Document Verification
The DGD reviews documents against the declaration. Yellow-channel shipments undergo detailed documentary checks here.
5
Physical Inspection (if red channel)
Red-channel shipments face physical container inspection. This adds 1-3 days to clearance and requires the importer or their agent to be present.
6
Duty Assessment
Customs calculates duties based on the CIF value and applicable HS tariff rate. Payment is made through the GasyNet system or at designated banks.
7
Cargo Release
Once duties are paid and inspection cleared, customs issues the release order. The terminal releases the cargo to the consignee or their agent.
8
Inland Delivery
Released cargo moves from Toamasina to Antananarivo or the interior via the RN2 corridor. Plan 1-2 days for inland transit depending on destination.
The full customs clearance process, including regime selection and risk-channel optimisation, is on the Madagascar customs clearance page.
Import duties
What you pay depends on what you import.
Madagascar uses ad valorem customs duties based on the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, Freight). The rate depends on the HS classification of your goods. VAT applies on top of the duty-inclusive value.
Standard ad valorem
0-20%
Applied on the CIF value. Rate depends on HS code. Most manufactured goods fall in the 10-20% range.
VAT
20%
Applied on the duty-inclusive value (CIF + customs duty). Nearly all imports attract VAT.
Excise duties
5-100%+
Applied to specific goods: alcohol, tobacco, vehicles, and luxury items. Rates vary widely by product subcategory.
APEi preferential
0-10%
EU-origin goods benefit from reduced or zero duties under the Economic Partnership Agreement.
SADC preferential
0-5%
Southern African Development Community member states enjoy preferential rates on qualifying goods.
AfCFTA preferential
Varies
Intra-African trade benefits under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Rules of origin apply.
Prohibited items
These cannot be imported under any circumstances.
- ✕
Narcotics and controlled substances
- ✕
Weapons, ammunition, and explosive materials
- ✕
Counterfeit goods and currency
- ✕
Hazardous waste and toxic materials
- ✕
Products containing certain ozone-depleting substances
Restricted items
These require specific permits or licences.
Pharmaceuticals
Ministry of Health import permit required
Chemicals and pesticides
Environmental authority clearance required
Food products
French labelling mandatory, health certificate required
Telecommunications equipment
ARTEC approval required
Vehicles
Age limits and emission standards apply
Alcohol and tobacco
Excise licence and health certificates required
Cyclone season
Plan around November to April.
Cyclone season runs from November to April. Severe weather windows delay berthing at Toamasina, and heavy rain can damage the RN2 corridor inland. During peak cyclone months, the port may close temporarily for 2-5 days at a time. Build buffer time into your supply chain and consider cargo insurance during this period.
Booking patterns
Peak demand windows to watch.
Container availability tightens before major holiday periods and agricultural export seasons. Ramadan affects Jebel Ali services, with booking pressure increasing 2-3 weeks before. Chinese New Year creates a two-week slowdown on Shanghai-origin services. Plan bookings early during these windows to avoid delays.
Common questions
Shipping to Madagascar, answered.
- What is the cheapest way to ship to Madagascar?
- Sea freight via the Port of Toamasina is the most economical option for shipments over 15 CBM. FCL (Full Container Load) offers the best per-unit cost for large volumes, while LCL (Less than Container Load) suits smaller shipments. Air freight is faster but costs significantly more per kilogram.
- How long does shipping to Madagascar take?
- Sea freight transit times depend on origin: Durban 5-7 days, Shanghai 25-35 days, Jebel Ali 13-15 days, Nhava Sheva 15-22 days. Air freight typically takes 4-12 days depending on the departure hub and routing. Express courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS) deliver in 3-7 days for small parcels.
- What documents are required to import to Madagascar?
- Standard import documents include: commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air), BSC (Cargo Tracking Note), certificate of origin (for preferential tariffs), and product-specific certificates. All imports require BSC filing before goods are shipped.
- How does customs clearance work at Toamasina?
- Madagascar uses the ASYCUDA World system for customs declarations. The process involves BSC filing, declaration submission, risk channel assignment (green/yellow/red), document verification, possible physical inspection, duty payment, and cargo release. Standard clearance takes 2-3 business days.
- What are import duties in Madagascar?
- Madagascar charges ad valorem customs duties ranging from 0% to 20% on the CIF value of imported goods, plus 20% VAT. Excise duties of 5-100%+ apply to specific goods like alcohol, tobacco, and vehicles. Preferential rates are available under trade agreements (APEi, SADC, COMESA, AfCFTA).
- Can I ship dangerous goods to Madagascar?
- Yes, dangerous goods can be shipped to Madagascar subject to IMDG (sea) or IATA (air) regulations. Proper documentation, packaging, and labelling are required. The Port of Toamasina accepts IMO cargo subject to standard procedures. Contact Ekutano for dangerous goods shipping requirements.
- What is the Port of Toamasina?
- The Port of Toamasina is Madagascar's largest port, handling over 90% of the country's seaborne trade. It features the MICTSL container terminal (operated by ICTSI), with modern gantry cranes, RTG cranes, and ISO-certified management. The port handles FCL, LCL, break bulk, and reefer cargo.
- How do I choose a freight forwarder for Madagascar?
- Look for a forwarder with: local presence at Toamasina, ASYCUDA expertise, corridor coverage matching your trade lanes, 24/7 operations capability, and experience with your cargo type. Ask about their port operations, customs compliance track record, and technology platform for shipment tracking.
- Are there restrictions on what I can import to Madagascar?
- Yes. Prohibited items include narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, and certain hazardous materials. Restricted items requiring permits include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food products (French labelling required), and telecommunications equipment. Check the Madagascar customs website for the full list.
- How does cyclone season affect shipping to Madagascar?
- Cyclone season runs from November to April. During this period, the Port of Toamasina may close temporarily, causing delays. Plan shipments outside peak cyclone months when possible, or build buffer time into your supply chain. Cargo insurance is strongly recommended during cyclone season.
Ready to ship to Madagascar? Start with your cargo details.
Send your origin, cargo type, and indicative volume. We will come back with the realistic transit, the customs path, and an honest view on what the lane will and will not do.