# Tunisia (TN)

**Capital:** Tunis  
**Currency:** Tunisian dinar (TND) (TND)  
**Population:** 11,972,169 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 163,610 km²

> Tunisia is a Maghreb logistics hub with the Rades container port as its main gateway, complemented by Sfax, Bizerte and La Skhira. Foreign trade is closely linked with the EU (textiles, automotive parts, olive oil). Customs clearance runs through the SINDA / SINDA 2 system of the Douane Tunisienne; the standard VAT rate is 19 percent. Free trade exists with the EU and EFTA, as well as via Agadir, GAFTA and AfCFTA.

Tunisia (TN) is a North African Mediterranean country serving as a Maghreb transit and supplier hub for textile, automotive and agricultural exports to the EU. Imports are governed by the EU Association Agreement (duty-free industrial goods) plus free trade with EFTA, Agadir, GAFTA and AfCFTA; customs clearance runs electronically through the SINDA / SINDA 2 system of the Douane Tunisienne, and the standard import VAT rate is 19 percent. The main gateways are the container port of Rades near Tunis, complemented by Sfax, Bizerte and La Skhira, together with Tunis-Carthage (TUN) and Enfidha-Hammamet (NBE) airports. Key corridors are the A1 motorway Tunis–M'saken–Sfax, the coastal link to Bizerte, road connections to the Algerian and Libyan (Ras Jedir) borders, and the SNCFT rail lines Tunis–Sfax–Gabes plus the Gafsa phosphate railway. Typical cargo includes textiles, automotive parts and wiring harnesses, olive oil, phosphates and fertilisers; leading partners are France, Italy, Germany and Spain, with Libya important regionally.

**Top Import Partners:** IT, FR, CN, DE, TR

**Top Export Partners:** FR, IT, DE, ES, LY

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

**Top Export Goods:** Automotive parts, Electronics, Olive oil, Fertilizers, Textiles

**Key Airports:**
- [Tunis Carthage International Airport (TUN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/tunis-carthage-international-airport-tun)
- [Bizerte Sidi Ahmed Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bizerte-sidi-ahmed-air-base-airport-dttb)
- [Djerba Zarzis International Airport (DJE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/djerba-zarzis-international-airport-dje)
- [El Borma Airport (EBM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/el-borma-airport-ebm)
- [Enfidha - Hammamet International Airport (NBE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/enfidha-hammamet-international-airport-nbe)
- [Gabès Matmata International Airport (GAE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gabes-matmata-international-airport-gae)
- [Gafsa Ksar International Airport (GAF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gafsa-ksar-international-airport-gaf)
- [Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport (MIR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/monastir-habib-bourguiba-international-airport-mir)
- [Remada Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/remada-air-base-airport-27964)
- [Sfax Thyna International Airport (SFA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/sfax-thyna-international-airport-sfa)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Standard rate 19 percent  
**Customs complexity:** medium to high  
**Customs system:** Electronic import clearance via SINDA / SINDA 2 (Système d'Information Douanier Automatisé) of the Douane Tunisienne.  
**Customs authority:** [Direction Générale des Douanes (Douane Tunisienne)](https://www.douane.gov.tn)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Maghreb transit and supply hub; textile, automotive and agricultural exports to the EU  
**Economic area:** GAFTA / Agadir Agreement  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### Which customs system does Tunisia use for imports and exports?

The Douane Tunisienne processes customs declarations electronically via the SINDA system or the modernised version SINDA 2. It covers the entire process from arrival of goods to release for importers, exporters and freight forwarders.

### What is the import VAT rate in Tunisia?

The standard VAT rate is 19 percent; reduced rates are 13 and 7 percent. Exports are exempt at 0 percent. The tax is levied on the customs value plus duties and other levies (Code de la TVA, DGI).

### Which free trade agreements apply to Tunisia?

Tunisia has an association agreement with the EU (industrial goods duty-free since 2008), an EFTA free trade agreement, as well as the Agadir Agreement, the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and the AfCFTA. Proof of origin includes EUR.1, EUR-MED or the origin declaration.

### What is Tunisia's most important port?

The port of Rades near Tunis is the most important container port and handles the majority of containerised and RoRo traffic. Other important ports are Sfax (multipurpose), Bizerte and La Skhira (hydrocarbons and chemicals).

### What import restrictions apply in Tunisia?

Prohibited items include narcotics, pornography, counterfeits and certain cultural property, among others. Weapons, ammunition and explosives require a permit. Many consumer goods require import licences and technical import control.

### Are there currency restrictions in trade with Tunisia?

Yes. The Tunisian dinar is not freely convertible and is subject to exchange controls by the central bank (BCT). Payments and capital transactions are regulated, which must be considered in import and export processing as well as in e-commerce.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.douane.gov.tn](https://www.douane.gov.tn)
- [https://www.douane.gov.tn/](https://www.douane.gov.tn/)
- [https://www.douane.gov.tn/sinda/](https://www.douane.gov.tn/sinda/)
- [https://www.douane.gov.tn/projet-sinda-2/](https://www.douane.gov.tn/projet-sinda-2/)
- [https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/tunisia/corporate/other-taxes](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/tunisia/corporate/other-taxes)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tunisia-import-tariffs](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tunisia-import-tariffs)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tunisia-prohibited-and-restricted-imports](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tunisia-prohibited-and-restricted-imports)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tunisia-trade-agreements](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tunisia-trade-agreements)

*Last verified: 2026-07-22*

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

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