# Mali (ML)

**Capital:** Bamako  
**Currency:** West African CFA franc (XOF) (XOF)  
**Population:** 24,478,595 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 1,240,192 km²

> Mali is a landlocked West African country that depends on neighbouring seaports, mainly Dakar and Abidjan. Road is the dominant transport mode; the Niger river and the rail link to Dakar play only a minor role. The country belongs to WAEMU (currency XOF, 18 percent VAT, common external tariff) and left ECOWAS in 2025; within the AES a 0.5 percent solidarity levy applies to imports. Security conditions and a fuel blockade since 2025 weigh on logistics.

Mali (ISO code ML) is a landlocked country in West Africa, governed by a transitional military-led regime under junta leader Assimi Goïta since the coups of 2020 and 2021. The climate is mostly arid to semi-arid with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The economy relies on agriculture, mining (above all gold) and services, and the country is heavily import-dependent, especially for fuel, food and industrial goods. Mali belongs to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) using the CFA franc (XOF) with an 18 percent VAT; in 2025 it left ECOWAS together with Burkina Faso and Niger and forms the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). As a landlocked state Mali depends on neighbouring seaports, mainly Dakar and Abidjan, through which most foreign trade moves by truck. The Niger river and the rail line to Dakar play only a secondary role. Despite infrastructure and security challenges, Mali remains an important transit country for regional trade connectivity.

**Top Import Partners:** SN, CI, CN, FR, IN

**Top Export Partners:** CH, IN, CN, AE, ZA

**Top Import Goods:** Petroleum products, Machinery, Vehicles, Food, Chemicals

**Top Export Goods:** Gold, Cotton, Livestock, Agricultural products

**Key Airports:**
- [Modibo Keita International Airport (BKO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/modibo-keita-international-airport-bko)
- [Mopti Ambodédjo International Airport (MZI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mopti-ambodedjo-international-airport-mzi)
- [Timbuktu Airport (TOM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/timbuktu-airport-tom)
- [Ansongo Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ansongo-airport-gaao)
- [Bafoulabé Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bafoulabe-airport-gabf)
- [Bandiagara Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bandiagara-airport-gabd)
- [Bougouni Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bougouni-airport-gabg)
- [Bourem Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bourem-airport-gabr)
- [Dioila Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dioila-airport-8724)
- [Douentza Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/douentza-airport-gadz)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Standard import VAT rate 18 percent on customs value (Code général des impôts, DGI)  
**Customs complexity:** High  
**Customs system:** SYDONIA World; UEMOA customs code with common external tariff (TEC 0/5/10/20 percent). Additionally AES solidarity levy 0,5 percent on imports from outside the AES (since 28.3.2025).  
**Customs authority:** [Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD)](https://douanes.gouv.ml)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Landlocked country / West African transit corridor / gold exporter  
**Economic area:** UEMOA / AES (outside ECOWAS since 2025)  
**Logistics risk:** High  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### What import taxes apply in Mali?

On imports Mali levies VAT at a standard rate of 18 percent on the customs value (General Tax Code of the Direction Générale des Impôts). On top of this come the WAEMU common external tariff (bands of 0, 5, 10 and 20 percent) and, since 28 March 2025, the AES solidarity levy of 0.5 percent on imports from countries outside the AES.

### Which customs system and authority apply in Mali?

The responsible body is the Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD). Clearance is electronic via SYDONIA World based on the WAEMU customs code. The customs value is determined on a CIF basis under GATT rules.

### Mali is landlocked - which seaports handle its cargo?

Mali has no seaports of its own. Most foreign trade moves by truck through the ports of neighbouring countries, mainly Dakar (Senegal) and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire); Lomé, Tema and Conakry are used in addition. More than half of Mali's foreign trade passes through Dakar.

### What do the ECOWAS exit and the AES mean for trade?

Together with Burkina Faso and Niger, Mali left ECOWAS on 29 January 2025 and forms the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). ECOWAS nonetheless continues to grant goods from the three countries the preferential treatment of its trade liberalisation scheme (SLEC). Mali also remains a WAEMU member with the CFA franc and the common external tariff.

### What is the AES 0.5 percent solidarity levy?

On 28 March 2025 the AES College of Heads of State introduced a confederal solidarity levy of 0.5 percent on the customs value. It is collected by the customs administrations on imports from countries outside the AES and finances joint projects. Goods of AES origin, diplomatic goods and humanitarian aid are exempt.

### What is the current logistics and security situation?

The security situation is fragile. Since September 2025 the jihadist group JNIM has been blockading fuel convoys from Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Niger, causing shortages and power cuts in Bamako. The government is building a national fuel reserve covering about 45 days. As of June 2026 supply partly relies on a negotiated truce.

### Are there international sanctions against Mali?

The UN sanctions regime under Resolution 2374 (2017) lapsed on 31 August 2023; there is no UN embargo. The EU, however, maintains autonomous restrictive measures (travel ban and asset freeze) against individuals obstructing the political transition (framework in place since 13 December 2021).

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://douanes.gouv.ml](https://douanes.gouv.ml)
- [https://douanes.gouv.ml/code-des-douanes](https://douanes.gouv.ml/code-des-douanes)
- [https://douanes.gouv.ml/dedouanement](https://douanes.gouv.ml/dedouanement)
- [https://www.dgi.gouv.ml/CGI/](https://www.dgi.gouv.ml/CGI/)
- [https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites/3103-127115-l-aes-instaure-une-taxe-douaniere-de-0-5-sur-les-importations-pour-financer-ses-projets](https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites/3103-127115-l-aes-instaure-une-taxe-douaniere-de-0-5-sur-les-importations-pour-financer-ses-projets)
- [https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/afrique/la-c%C3%A9d%C3%A9ao-annonce-la-sortie-officielle-des-pays-de-laes-de-son-organisation/3465349](https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/afrique/la-c%C3%A9d%C3%A9ao-annonce-la-sortie-officielle-des-pays-de-laes-de-son-organisation/3465349)
- [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=ML](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=ML)
- [https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/terminated-sanctions](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/terminated-sanctions)

*Last verified: 2026-06-25*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ml](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ml)*

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