Promote:
Export from the Comoros
A short guide for companies selling from the Comoros: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What the Comoros sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$31.4 million
Merchandise exports were US$31.42 million in 2025, in Comoros's own report to UN Comtrade.
Source: UN Comtrade, Comoros exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exportsEstimate
US$132.4 million
Services exports were US$132.38 million in 2025, estimated by the WTO, UNCTAD and ITC.
Source: UNCTADstat, services exports by category (WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Cloves (HS 0907)US$24.7 million
- 2. Essential oils (HS 3301)US$4.5 million
- 3. Vanilla (HS 0905)US$526,333
- 4. Steel gas cylinders (HS 7311)US$246,011
- 5. Piston engines (HS 8407)US$218,353
- 6. Ferrous scrap (HS 7204)US$142,331
- 7. Electronic musical instruments (HS 9207)US$114,486
- 8. Alloy steel flat-rolled products (HS 7225)US$101,645
Show 12 more products
- 9. Ships and ferries (HS 8901)US$68,870
- 10. Crustaceans (HS 0306)US$50,057
- 11. Aircraft parts (HS 8807)US$42,248
- 12. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$40,137
- 13. Sugar confectionery (HS 1704)US$26,981
- 14. Furniture (HS 9403)US$26,667
- 15. Aluminum scrap (HS 7602)US$26,021
- 16. Air pumps, compressors and fans (HS 8414)US$24,830
- 17. Electric generating sets (HS 8502)US$24,558
- 18. Earth-moving machinery (HS 8430)US$24,487
- 19. Wind musical instruments (HS 9205)US$24,282
- 20. Tractors (HS 8701)US$23,339
- Cloves, essential oils and vanilla are 94.7 percent of 2025 exports, so the top of this list reflects three cash crops. Source (opens in a new tab)
- UN Comtrade holds no 2024 report from Comoros, so this list shows no change on the prior year. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Comoros exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- India55.5%
- France14.7%
- United Arab Emirates10.8%
- Netherlands5.2%
- Germany2.7%
- Pakistan1.9%
- Egypt1.3%
- United Kingdom1%
- Sales to the United States in 2025 were one engine shipment, so that share is not a regular trade flow. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Comoros exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- Only five lines reach 0.5 percent of 2025 exports and US$50,000, so fewer than ten lines are meaningful. Source (opens in a new tab)
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks cloves, essential oils and vanilla as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only the Comoros’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Comoros exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 5, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
India takes 55.5% of the Comoros’s goods exports. If you sell there, its import rules and buyer channels come first; either way, compare at least one other market before you commit.
Source: UN Comtrade, Comoros exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 5, 2026
Based on: Where the goods go
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Lets a seller in Comoros use AfCFTA preferences on goods that meet its rules of origin.
Ratification is not trading: no published tariff schedule or certificate route was found, so check before you rely on it.
Source: African Union, AfCFTA signature and ratification list, May 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 22, 2026
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area
Removes tariffs on goods that qualify as COMESA origin, for sales to other participating states.
Mauritius's trade ministry lists Comoros among free trade area members, some of which keep sensitive lists; confirm that your product qualifies.
Source: Mauritius trade ministry, Mauritius Trade Easy, COMESA page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Gives a seller a link to the SADC market and its trade bodies.
Membership alone gives no tariff preference; confirm whether Comoros applies the SADC Free Trade Area.
Source: SADC, Comoros member state page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area
Would widen preferences across 29 states if Comoros ratified it.
SADC's notice of July 24, 2024 did not list Comoros among the 14 states that had ratified.
Source: SADC, Tripartite Free Trade Area entry into force, July 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 24, 2024
Show 4 more agreements
European Union and Eastern and Southern Africa interim Economic Partnership Agreement
Gives qualifying goods from Comoros duty-free access to the European Union market.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; Comoros started applying it in February 2019.
Source: European Commission, Eastern and Southern Africa partnership agreement page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
European Union Everything But Arms
Gives duty-free, quota-free access to the European Union for all goods except arms.
New European Union GSP rules apply from January 1, 2027; confirm Comoros's status under them.
Source: European Commission, Everything But Arms country list (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme
Gives goods from Comoros comprehensive preferences into the United Kingdom.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; check the product rules of origin.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023
AGOA
Gives eligible goods from Comoros duty-free entry into the United States under the trade preference program for African countries.
Comoros was designated for 2026 and the program runs to December 31, 2028; the list is reviewed every year.
Source: Federal Register, AGOA eligibility review notice, 30 June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from the Comoros
- Register the company through the ANPI one-stop shop to get the trade register entry before any export.Agence Nationale pour la Promotion des Investissements (ANPI)Trade register in 72 hours, per the guideOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- For vanilla, cloves or ylang-ylang oil, get an INRAPE exporter approval, then an OCPR professional card, sticker and license.Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, la Pêche et l'Environnement (INRAPE); Office Comorien des Produits de Rente (OCPR)Vanilla: INRAPE approval KMF 250,000; OCPR sticker KMF 75,000 and license KMF 30,000 a yearOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Ask INRAPE to accept each export request, and ask OCPR for the quality and quantity clearance.Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, la Pêche et l'Environnement (INRAPE); Office Comorien des Produits de Rente (OCPR)INRAPE reply in 1 week; OCPR clearance KMF 2,000 per kilogram of vanillaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Have INRAPE inspect the product and issue the phytosanitary certificate.Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, la Pêche et l'Environnement (INRAPE)KMF 10,000 plus KMF 5 per kilogram of vanillaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 4 more export steps
- If the goods include a specimen of a species listed under CITES, get an export permit from the CITES management authority before shipment.Organe de gestion de la CITES (ministère en charge de l'environnement)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Law 25-005/AU, endangered species trade, December 2025 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of December 17, 2025
- Pay the export tax and keep the receipt for customs.Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI)KMF 1,000 per kilogram of vanillaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- File the export declaration in SYDONIA World; customs issues the certificate of origin and the loading order.Direction Générale des DouanesCertificate of origin in 5 hours; loading order in 3 hoursOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Domicile export proceeds above KMF 5 million with an intermediary bank.Intermediary bankOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with CAPEX and Customs. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
Export support center
CAPEX
Centre d'Appui aux Exportations
Helps local companies reach foreign markets and organize their export supply chains.
Visit CAPEX (opens in a new tab)Source: UCCIA, export support center CAPEX page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
INSEED
Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques et Démographiques
Publishes monthly price indexes and national accounts for market and cost planning.
Visit INSEED (opens in a new tab)Source: INSEED, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 4 more organizations
- Research markets
Continental trade secretariat
AfCFTA
AfCFTA Secretariat
Multilateral body
Provides information on the continental trade agreement, including which states are ready to trade.
Visit AfCFTA (opens in a new tab)Source: AfCFTA Secretariat, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
Regional trade bloc secretariat
COMESA
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
Regional body
Runs the COMESA free trade area and its rules of origin.
Visit COMESA (opens in a new tab)Source: Mauritius trade ministry, Mauritius Trade Easy, COMESA page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
Regional community secretariat
SADC
Southern African Development Community
Regional body
Runs the regional community that Comoros joined in 2017.
Visit SADC (opens in a new tab)Source: SADC, Comoros member state page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Trade support agency
ITC
International Trade Centre
Multilateral body
Runs Trade Map, a free tool on world trade flows by product.
Visit ITC (opens in a new tab)Source: ITC, Trade Map home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs
Direction Générale des Douanes
Handles export declarations, certificates of origin and loading orders through SYDONIA World.
Visit Customs (opens in a new tab)Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Finance ministry
Finance Ministry
Ministère des Finances, du Budget et du Secteur Bancaire
Oversees the tax and customs directorates and publishes budget and public debt data.
Visit Finance Ministry (opens in a new tab)Source: Finance ministry, directorates page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
DGI
Direction Générale des Impôts
Collects the taxes and duties that fund the state, and is moving its services online.
Visit DGI (opens in a new tab)Source: Finance ministry, tax directorate page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
Cash-crop export office
OCPR
Office Comorien des Produits de Rente
Issues the professional card, export sticker, license and clearance for vanilla, cloves and ylang-ylang oil.
Visit OCPR (opens in a new tab)Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Plant health and research institute
INRAPE
Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, la Pêche et l'Environnement
Approves cash-crop exporters and issues the phytosanitary certificate before shipment.
Visit INRAPE (opens in a new tab)Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Central bank
BCC
Banque Centrale des Comores
Publishes indicative rates of main currencies in Comorian francs, derived from the fixed euro rate.
Visit BCC (opens in a new tab)Source: Central bank, exchange rates against the franc (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of January 19, 2023
- Meet requirements
National standards service
CSNQ
Service de la Normalisation / Qualité (CSNQ)
Is the standards and quality service listed for Comoros under the industry and crafts directorate.
Visit CSNQ (opens in a new tab)Source: ISO, Comoros standards service listing (CSNQ) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber union
UCCIA
Union des Chambres de Commerce, d'Industrie et d'Artisanat des Comores
Represents private companies and runs CAPEX, the export support center.
Visit UCCIA (opens in a new tab)Source: UCCIA, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Cash-crop concentration
The UCCIA guide says three cash crops make over 90 percent of export value; Comtrade's 2025 report shows 94.7 percent.
What to do: Check each crop's separate approvals and fees before a first shipment.
Sources: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Comoros exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Export fees and taxes
The UCCIA guide says taxes, fees and levies on exports change every year and several agencies charge separately.
What to do: Ask INRAPE, OCPR, customs and the tax administration for current fees before you quote a price.
Source: UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Currency and settlement
The Comorian franc is fixed to the euro under a 1979 accord, and export proceeds above KMF 5 million must be domiciled with a bank.
What to do: Confirm the settlement currency and domiciliation steps with your bank before you sign a contract.
Sources: Central bank, monetary cooperation accord with France (in French) (opens in a new tab); UCCIA and OCPR, cash-crop export procedures guide (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Comoros project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
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Promote:Comoros is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.