Comoros
Comoros Customs Contacts
Email: dir.cooperation@douanes.km
Address: Customs service, B.P. 2259 Moroni
Telephone: +269 3350712
Comoros represents an archipelago situated in the Indian ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique. The country's nearest neighbours are Tanzania and the Seychelles. Comoros Islands is a member of the COMESA (a regional trading union of 23 countries with common external tariff), Indian Ocean Commission and African Union.
Tariffs
Comoros Islands apply the COMESA Common External Tariff of 0% for capital goods and raw materials, 10% for intermediate products, and 25% for finished products. The applied tariff on products such as alcohol and tobacco vary from 180%, 200% up to 250%. Goods imported from COMESA members are free from custom duties.
Product certification, labelling and packaging
Comoros has a liberalized trade policy with no licenses or quotas on imports and exports. Generally there are two product categories which require an import license: pharmaceuticals and live animals and fresh and dried vegetables. The import license for pharmaceuticals can be obtained from the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Agriculture issues permits for vegetables. Rice is the only product under state control. Goods coming from the EU countries and Monaco are imported freely, whereas goods imported from other countries need a specific license. Import licenses can be obtained from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Licenses are valid for 6 months, but also can be extended for another six-months period. Products such as arms and explosives, drugs, literature and products which may affect religion are prohibited to import.
The labelling of products is similar to French labelling regulations. Products should contain all needed identifying marks (port marks etc.) and packages should be numbered. Packing elements which can bring disease into the country are banned.
Documents for import/export
Standard documentation:
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Commercial invoice
- Customs declaration
- Foreign exchange authorization
- Packing list
Additional documents for export:
- Technical standard/health certificate
- Terminal handling receipts
- Cargo release order
- Inspection report
Additional documents for import:
- Fiscal identification card
- Import license
- Insurance certificate
- Pre-shipment inspection clean report of findings
Sources:
http://www.comoros-islands.com/PublicFiles/Doing%20business%20in%20Comoros%20(English).pdf
