Country profile
Tunisia
TN · TUNAs of: 7/22/2026Maghreb transit and supply hub; textile, automotive and agricultural exports to the EU
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.
Overview
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.
Mentioned countries
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Direction Générale des Douanes (Douane Tunisienne)Import system
Electronic import clearance via SINDA / SINDA 2 (Système d'Information Douanier Automatisé) of the Douane Tunisienne.
Export system
Export clearance via SINDA / SINDA 2 of the Douane Tunisienne; exports are generally exempt from VAT (0 percent).
Import VAT
- Standard rate 19 percent
- reduced rates 13 and 7 percent
- exports 0 percent. Assessed on customs value plus duties and levies (Code de la TVA, DGI).
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / waybill
- Certificate of origin
- Import licence / domiciliation (titre de commerce)
- technical conformity certificate (if required)
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export customs declaration (SINDA)
- Proof of origin EUR.1 / EUR-MED
- Transport document
Origin proofs / FTA
EUR.1, EUR-MED and origin declaration under EU association, EFTA, Agadir, GAFTA and AfCFTA; PEM cumulation of origin (accession 2015).
Restricted & prohibited goods
Prohibited items include narcotics, pornography, counterfeits, certain cultural property, among others; weapons, ammunition and explosives require authorization; import licences and technical control.
Export controls & sanctions
No comprehensive UN or EU trade sanctions against Tunisia (as of 2026); import and export permits via the Ministry of Commerce; currency control by the Central Bank (BCT).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Africa) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Africa. Documentation, pre-clearance and local clearance steps can vary a lot by destination.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Depending on destination/goods: additional permits, inspection or compliance documents
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Common pitfalls
- Vague description or missing HS codes → delays and clarifications
- Incoterms unclear: who clears customs/pays charges?
- Incomplete origin data → preferential treatment may not apply
- Inconsistent documents (invoice vs packing list vs shipment data)
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Tunis-Carthage (TUN)
- Enfidha-Hammamet (NBE)
- Djerba-Zarzis (DJE)
Road corridors & border crossings
- A1 motorway Tunis–M'saken–Sfax
- Coastal corridor Tunis–Bizerte
- Tunis–Oued Zarga–Algerian border
- Sfax–Gabes–Libyan border (Ras Jedir)
Rail corridors
- SNCFT Tunis–Sfax–Gabes
- SNCFT Tunis–Ghardimaou (towards Algeria)
- Phosphate railway Gafsa–Sfax / Gabes
- Port rail link Rades (combined transport)
Top trade lanes
- Tunisia–Italy
- Tunisia–France
- Tunisia–Germany
- Tunisia–Spain
- Tunisia–Libya
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Historic congestion at the Rades container port; currency controls and technical import controls can delay clearance; border traffic to Libya is at times unstable.
Seasonal & weather risks
Mediterranean to semi-arid climate; hot summers in the interior, mild winters; occasional autumn flooding; hardly any seasonal port closures.
Current logistics notes
Severe congestion at the port of Rades: container dwell times up by 21 days; shipping lines levy congestion surcharges or temporarily suspend bookings. The government is pushing digitalisation (SINDA 2, port IT) and the expansion of Zarzis; 2026 officially declared as a year of operational recovery. (As of 2026-07-22)
As of: 2026-07-22
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | National | |||
| Jan 14, 2026 | Revolution and Youth Day | National | |||
| Mar 20, 2026 | Independence Day | National | |||
| Apr 9, 2026 | Martyrs' Day | National | |||
| May 1, 2026 | Labour Day | National | |||
| Jul 25, 2026 | Republic Day | National | |||
| Aug 13, 2026 | Women's and Family Day | National | |||
| Oct 15, 2026 | Evacuation Day | National |
New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2026
Revolution and Youth Day
Jan 14, 2026
Independence Day
Mar 20, 2026
Martyrs' Day
Apr 9, 2026
Labour Day
May 1, 2026
Republic Day
Jul 25, 2026
Women's and Family Day
Aug 13, 2026
Evacuation Day
Oct 15, 2026
Sources: Calendrier officiel des jours fériés (Business News / Présidence du Gouvernement) · Jours fériés légaux Tunisie (Fixdatum, Code du travail)
Airports in this country
Latest News
No news for this country yet.
View all news →Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- douane.gov.tn
- finances.gov.tn
- ommp.nat.tn
- ins.tn
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for Tunisia?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Tunisia?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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