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Promote:Malawi

Export from Malawi

A short guide for companies selling from Malawi: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.

1. What Malawi sells, and who buys it

Top goods exports

2025

  1. 1. Tobacco leaf (HS 2401)US$610.3 million
  2. 2. Tea (HS 0902)US$65.2 million
  3. 3. Dried beans and peas (HS 0713)US$55.9 million
  4. 4. Nuts (HS 0802)US$28.5 million
  5. 5. Sugar (HS 1701)US$25.3 million
  6. 6. Soybean meal and cake (HS 2304)US$20 million
  7. 7. Poultry meat (HS 0207)US$12.1 million
  8. 8. Groundnuts (HS 1202)US$11.8 million
Show 12 more products
  1. 9. Fiberboard (HS 4411)US$6.4 million
  2. 10. Natural rubber (HS 4001)US$4.64 million
  3. 11. Oil seeds (HS 1207)US$4.34 million
  4. 12. Sacks and bags (HS 6305)US$4.3 million
  5. 13. Bran and milling residues (HS 2302)US$3.9 million
  6. 14. Plastic sheets and film (HS 3920)US$3.63 million
  7. 15. Woven synthetic fabrics (HS 5407)US$2.98 million
  8. 16. Iron and steel scrap (HS 7204)US$2.82 million
  9. 17. Mixed fertilizers (HS 3105)US$2.73 million
  10. 18. Tropical fruit (HS 0804)US$2.52 million
  11. 19. Prepared foods (HS 2106)US$2.48 million
  12. 20. Raw cotton (HS 5201)US$2.45 million
  • Tobacco leaf (HS 2401) was 66.8 percent of 2025 export value, and tobacco, tea and dried beans and peas were 80.1 percent together; the picker leaves tobacco out. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)
  • UN Comtrade shows re-exports of US$59.71 million in 2025, 6.5 percent of exports, so the re-export picker rule does not apply. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, Malawi exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

Where the goods go

2025, share of goods exports

  • Belgium18.7%
  • China6.9%
  • India5.6%
  • United States4.7%
  • South Africa4.4%
  • Zimbabwe4.1%
  • Egypt3.9%
  • Poland3.7%
  • Belgium, China and India took 31.3 percent of 2025 exports, and the WTO review names the European Union as the main destination. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, Malawi exports by destination, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

2. What to look into next

Our reading

  • The research marks tea, dried beans and peas and nuts as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Malawi’s top destinations overall.

    Source: UN Comtrade, Malawi exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 24, 2026

    Based on: Top goods exports

  • Woven synthetic fabrics grew 85% from 2024 to 2025; nuts grew 78% from 2024 to 2025. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.

    Source: UN Comtrade, Malawi exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 24, 2026

    Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before

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.

  • Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area

    Malawi takes part in the COMESA free trade area, so goods that meet COMESA origin rules can move between participating members at reduced duty.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access. Check which members apply the free trade area.

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  • Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade

    Malawi goods that meet SADC origin rules can enter other SADC members that apply the trade protocol at preferential rates.

    As of 2024, per the WTO review, Angola, Comoros and the Democratic Republic of the Congo did not apply the goods protocol, so check your market.

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  • COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area

    Malawi deposited its instrument of ratification, so the Tripartite agreement covers trade with the other ratifying states.

    Rules-based preference, so check the tariff lines and origin rules for your product.

    Source: SADC, Tripartite Free Trade Area entry into force notice, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of July 24, 2024

  • African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

    Malawi ratified in January 2021, and its goods offer was approved in January 2024, which makes it eligible to trade with State Parties that apply their offers.

    As of 2024, per the WTO review, ask customs whether tariff preferences can be claimed today, and which States apply their schedules.

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

Show 4 more agreements

  • Malawi's bilateral trade agreements with Botswana, China, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe

    As of 2024, per the WTO review, these five bilateral agreements are in force, each with its own preferences and origin rules.

    Their terms were not confirmed here, so ask the revenue authority whether a preference applies to your goods before you quote.

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  • AGOA

    Eligible Malawi goods can enter the United States without the general duty, if they meet AGOA rules.

    Malawi is on the June 2026 AGOA list, and a law signed on September 2, 2026 extends the program to December 31, 2028. Other United States tariffs may apply.

    Source: Federal Register, AGOA eligibility review notice, 30 June 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026

  • European Union Everything But Arms (GSP)

    As of 2024, per the WTO review, Malawi is a least developed country eligible for Everything But Arms, which gives duty-free, quota-free European Union access for all goods but arms.

    New European Union GSP rules apply from January 1, 2027, so check the European Union's beneficiary list and origin rules before you quote.

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  • United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme

    Malawi sits on the Comprehensive Preferences tier for least developed countries under the scheme.

    Rules-based preference, so confirm the tariff line and origin rules before you quote a price.

    Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

4. Steps to export

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Exporting from Malawi

  1. Register with the revenue authority for a free taxpayer number, and get a business license if you work from premises.Malawi Revenue AuthorityTaxpayer number is free of charge, as of 2024Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  2. Register as an exporter on the central bank's Export Proceeds Reconciliation Module, using your taxpayer number.Reserve Bank of MalawiOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Reserve Bank of Malawi, exporters user manual, May 2023⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  3. Get an export license for controlled goods, such as maize, soya beans, cotton lint, scrap metal or hides and skins, before you ship.Ministry of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and TourismApplication fee 5,000 kwacha, as of 2024Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  4. For tobacco, sell through the auction marketplace, and for maize, rice, oilseeds and legumes use a commodity exchange or licensed trading floor.Ministry of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and TourismOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

Show 6 more export steps
  1. Get a certificate of origin from the revenue authority for SADC members, or from MCCCI for COMESA and other destinations.Malawi Revenue AuthorityOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  2. Ask the Bureau of Standards for an export quality certificate where your product needs one.Malawi Bureau of StandardsOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  3. Get a phytosanitary certificate for plants and plant products from the plant protection organization, and a sanitary certificate for animal products.Department of Agricultural Research ServicesOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  4. File the export declaration online through a clearing agent or the Direct Trader Input system, and present goods for physical examination.Malawi Revenue AuthorityProcessing fee 30,000 kwacha per declaration, as of 2024Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

  5. Bring export proceeds home within 90 days and reconcile them with your customs declaration through your authorized dealer bank.Reserve Bank of Malawi90 days, per the directive gazetted July 24, 2026Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Reserve Bank of Malawi, export proceeds amendment directive, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of July 24, 2026

  6. Claim duty drawback or the export tax deduction where they apply to your goods.Malawi Revenue AuthorityOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Malawi, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 4, 2024

5. Organizations that help exporters

Start with MITC and MRA. 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

Show 4 more organizations

Customs and tax

Standards and sector requirements

Chambers and industry associations

6. Worth knowing

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 Malawi project.

Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.

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Promote:Malawi 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.