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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

This page links to important partner countries (based on import/export partners) for quick context.

• SN
• CI
• CN
• FR
• IN
• CH

For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:

• Incoterms
• AWB (Air Waybill)
• Bill of Lading (B/L)
• HS Code
• UN/LOCODE