Tunisia
Tunisia Customs Contacts
Website: http://www.douane.gov.tn/
Address: Rue Asdrubal Lafayette 1002 Tunis
Telephone: (+216) 71799700
Fax: (+216) 71791644
Tunisia Ministery of Commerce
Website: http://www.commerce.gov.tn/Fr/accueil_46_50
Email: mcmr@ministeres.tn
Telephone: (+216) 71354438
Fax: (+216) 71797727
Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa, bordered by Algeria, Libya and the Mediterranean Sea. The country has a high human development index. Tunisia has an association agreement with the European Union and close economic relations with Europe – in particular with France and with Italy. The country is a member of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone (observer), International Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations.
Import Tariffs
Imports can be subject to tariff rates over 200%. Goods are also subject to a customs formality fee, currently amounting to 3% of the total duties paid on the import.
Certain imports are also liable for a value added tax (VAT). Tunisia's basic VAT rates are 29%, 18%, 10% and 6%, with the majority of goods covered by the 18% rate. Recent changes in the calculation of the VAT tax base have resulted in slightly higher rates for some consumer goods that were previously taxed at 29%. Tunisia calculates VAT on the base price of the goods plus any import duties, surcharges, and consumption taxes.
A consumption tax is applicable to certain imported and similar locally produced items. Rates can vary from 10% to as high as 700%. The highest rates are applicable to luxury items such as champagne. Automobiles with large engine capacity are also heavily taxed, at rates rising to over 250%.
Trade Barriers
Tunisia is a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). While maintaining restrictions on designated strategic areas, the Tunisian government has pursued a program of liberalizing imports. Approximately 97% of imports do not require prior authorization.
Tunisia still has non-tariff barriers such as import licenses or quotas on certain products.
These particularly apply to consumer goods that compete against locally-produced equivalents manufactured by developing industries or to products for which there is no domestic production to satisfy consumer demand. The major categories affected by import restrictions are motor vehicles, in particular passenger cars, and pharmaceuticals.
Automobile distributors officially representing foreign manufacturers are granted allotments of the annually-set national quota for the import of small-engine (4 horsepower) cars. These allotments are based to some extent on the amount of
Tunisian-produced automobile components utilized in the foreign manufacturer’s automobile designs, and would-be importers would have to request an allotment from the government of Tunisia in order to receive an import license. This quota system is only for small engine cars; however, in general, individual Tunisian consumers may not import foreign vehicles privately, because of foreign exchange controls.
Working within the letter of WTO requirements, Tunisia vigorously protects its domestic pharmaceutical industry. Several multinationals have complained about the "correlation” system under which, upon request from a Tunisian pharmaceutics manufacturer, the importation of a foreign drug similar to the one produced locally can be suspended. The Government of Tunisia has stated that the system will be phased out gradually.
Inconsistent procedures within the Tunisian customs administration can be a major obstacle for importers. Government use of non-tariff barriers has sometimes led to the delay or rejection of goods shipped to Tunisia. Importers have experienced
Agricultural products are generally assessed with high import duties and in some cases face other import barriers. Tunisia often gives preferential tariff rates to agricultural products originating in Arab and North African nations.
Import Requirements and Documentation
Tunisian law prohibits the export of foreign currency from Tunisia as payment for imports prior to the presentation to the bank of certain documents which serve to confirm that the merchandise has entered the country. Usually Tunisian customs authority documents are used for this. Importers obtain hard currency for payment by presenting the documents to their commercial bank.
Prohibited and Restricted Imports
Imports of explosives, military, and security-related equipment are tightly controlled. Imports are only allowed under license. Narcotics and pornographic items are strictly forbidden.
Sources:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/tunisia?topic=trading-across-borders
http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Tunisia?rc=Formalities
http://export.gov/middleeast/country_information/tunisia/tunisia_ccg_2006.pdf
http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/overseasnew.nsf/alldata/Tunisia
