# Malawi (MW)

**Capital:** Lilongwe  
**Currency:** Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (MWK)  
**Population:** 21'655'286  
**Area:** 118'484 km²

> Malawi is a landlocked country in southern Africa whose foreign trade runs through corridors to the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Beira and to Dar es Salaam. Customs clearance is electronic via the Malawi Revenue Authority ASYCUDA World system; the import VAT rate has been 17.5 percent since late 2025. Tobacco, tea and sugar are the main exports.

Malawi (ISO code: MW) is a landlocked country in southern Africa, bordered by Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. It is a presidential republic with an agriculture-driven economy centred on tobacco, tea, sugar and maize. Having no seaport, Malawi depends on transport corridors to the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Beira and to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The country imports petroleum products, machinery, vehicles, fertiliser and consumer goods and serves as a regional transit hub in southeast Africa. The currency is the Malawian Kwacha (MWK). Despite infrastructure constraints, Malawi offers potential for investment in agriculture, transport and logistics.

**Top Import Partners:** ZA, CN, TZ, IN, AE

**Top Export Partners:** ZA, BE, US, DE, CN

**Top Import Goods:** Erdölprodukte, Maschinen, Fahrzeuge, Düngemittel, Konsumgüter

**Top Export Goods:** Tabak, Tee, Zucker, Hülsenfrüchte, Baumwolle

**Key Airports:**
- [Chileka International Airport (BLZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chileka-international-airport-blz)
- [Dwangwa Airport (DWA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dwangwa-airport-dwa)
- [Kamuzu International Airport (LLW)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kamuzu-international-airport-llw)
- [Karonga Airport (KGJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/karonga-airport-kgj)
- [Mzuzu Airport (ZZU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mzuzu-airport-zzu)
- [Bangula Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bangula-airport-2576)
- [Chilumba Private Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chilumba-private-airport-6574)
- [Chintheche Aerodrome](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chintheche-airport-fwcc)
- [Chitipa Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chitipa-airport-fwct)
- [Club Makokola Airport (CMK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/club-makokola-airport-cmk)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Standardsatz 17,5 Prozent (seit 30.12.2025 von 16,5 angehoben)  
**Customs complexity:** mittel bis hoch  
**Customs system:** Elektronische Zollanmeldung über ASYCUDA World bei der Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA); Bill of Entry durch zugelassene Zollagenten, ergänzt durch das Malawi Trade Portal.  
**Customs authority:** [Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA)](https://www.mra.mw)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Agrarexporteur (Tabak/Tee) und Binnenstaat; Aussenhandel über die Korridore nach Nacala und Beira  
**Economic area:** SADC / COMESA / AfCFTA  
**Logistics risk:** mittel bis hoch  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** gering bis mittel  
**Pharma/cold chain:** mittel

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.mra.mw](https://www.mra.mw)
- [https://www.mra.mw/admin/storage/download_files/1767182853_NEW%20TAX%20MEASURES.pdf](https://www.mra.mw/admin/storage/download_files/1767182853_NEW%20TAX%20MEASURES.pdf)
- [https://www.mra.mw/custom-and-excise/prohibited-and-restricted-imports](https://www.mra.mw/custom-and-excise/prohibited-and-restricted-imports)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/malawi-trade-agreements](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/malawi-trade-agreements)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/malawi-import-requirements-and-documentations](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/malawi-import-requirements-and-documentations)
- [https://www.malawitradeportal.com/en-gb/site/display/86](https://www.malawitradeportal.com/en-gb/site/display/86)
- [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=MW](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=MW)

*Last verified: 2026-06-25*

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

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