# Mauritania (MR)

**Capital:** Nouakchott  
**Currency:** Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU) (MRU)  
**Population:** 4'927'532  
**Area:** 1'030'700 km²

> Mauritania is a West African Atlantic state and a member of the Arab Maghreb Union; it left ECOWAS in 2000 (association since 2017). Foreign trade is commodity-driven (iron ore, fish, gold) and heavily import-dependent. About 96 percent of trade passes through the port of Nouakchott (Port de l'Amitié). A 16 percent VAT applies and customs are cleared via SYDONIA World.

Mauritania (ISO code: MR) lies in West Africa on the Atlantic coast and borders Senegal, Mali, Algeria and Western Sahara. Politically it is an Islamic Republic with a presidential system, regarded as relatively stable. The climate is mainly desert, with high temperatures, low rainfall and frequent Sahara sandstorms, while the south has more subtropical features. Economically, iron ore and gold mining dominate, complemented by fishing, livestock and increasingly renewable energy and offshore gas. Its logistical importance derives mainly from the seaports of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, which serve as access points for trans-Saharan trade. In foreign trade Mauritania is strongly export-oriented in commodities such as ore and fish, while imports cover food, fuel, machinery and consumer goods. Overland transit is limited by the desert but is gaining importance through planned rail projects. The currency is the ouguiya (MRU).

**Top Import Partners:** CN, FR, BE, ES, AE

**Top Export Partners:** CN, ES, JP, IT, DE

**Top Import Goods:** Nahrungsmittel, Erdölprodukte, Maschinen, Fahrzeuge, Baumaterialien

**Top Export Goods:** Eisenerz, Fisch, Gold, Kupfer, Erdöl

**Key Airports:**
- [Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/nouakchottoumtounsy-international-airport-nkc)
- [Atar International Airport (ATR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/atar-international-airport-atr)
- [Nouadhibou International Airport (NDB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/nouadhibou-international-airport-ndb)
- [Abbaye Airport (BGH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/abbaye-airport-bgh)
- [Aioun el Atrouss Airport (AEO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aioun-el-atrouss-airport-aeo)
- [Akjoujt Airport (AJJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/akjoujt-airport-ajj)
- [Bassikounou Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bassikounou-airport-2824)
- [Bir Moghrein Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bir-moghrein-airport-gqpt)
- [Boutilimit Airport (OTL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/boutilimit-airport-otl)
- [Chegga Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chegga-airport-6388)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** TVA-Normalsatz 16 Prozent auf Einfuhren (Code Général des Impôts)  
**Customs complexity:** mittel bis hoch  
**Customs system:** Elektronische Zollabwicklung über SYDONIA World (ASYCUDA) der Direction Générale des Douanes; Anmeldung durch zugelassene Deklaranten. Rund 27 Zollämter, Spezialämter für Bergbau, Fischerei und Freizone Nouadhibou.  
**Customs authority:** [Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD), Ministère des Finances](https://finances.gov.mr)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Rohstoff-Exporteur (Eisenerz, Fisch, Gold) mit Atlantik-Hafenzugang in Westafrika  
**Economic area:** Arabische Maghreb-Union (UMA); ECOWAS-Assoziierung  
**Logistics risk:** mittel bis hoch  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** mittel  
**Pharma/cold chain:** mittel

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://finances.gov.mr](https://finances.gov.mr)
- [https://ansade.mr/fr/communique-sur-les-resultats-definitifs-du-cinquieme-recensement-general-de-la-population-et-de-lhabitat-rgph5-de-2023/](https://ansade.mr/fr/communique-sur-les-resultats-definitifs-du-cinquieme-recensement-general-de-la-population-et-de-lhabitat-rgph5-de-2023/)
- [https://finances.gov.mr/sites/default/files/2023-03/CGI-Fr-2023.pdf](https://finances.gov.mr/sites/default/files/2023-03/CGI-Fr-2023.pdf)
- [https://finances.gov.mr/sites/default/files/2025-12/Rapport%20D%C3%A9penses%20Fiscales%202024.pdf](https://finances.gov.mr/sites/default/files/2025-12/Rapport%20D%C3%A9penses%20Fiscales%202024.pdf)
- [https://finances.gov.mr/fr/node/13](https://finances.gov.mr/fr/node/13)
- [https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/mauritania/corporate/other-taxes](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/mauritania/corporate/other-taxes)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/mauritania-customs-regulations](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/mauritania-customs-regulations)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/mauritania-import-tariffs](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/mauritania-import-tariffs)

*Last verified: 2026-06-26*

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

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/mr](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/mr)*