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Export from Tunisia
A short guide for companies selling from Tunisia: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Tunisia sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$20 billion
Merchandise exports were US$19.98 billion in 2024, as Tunisia reported them to UN Comtrade; the flow includes re-exports.
Source: UN Comtrade, Tunisia exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Services exports
US$11.2 billion
Services exports were US$11.24 billion in 2024 (WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data), of which travel was US$2.87 billion.
Source: UNCTADstat, WTO-UNCTAD-ITC trade in services by category, Tunisia, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Top goods exports
2024
- 1. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$3 billion
- 2. Olive oil (HS 1509)US$1.56 billion
- 3. Crude petroleum (HS 2709)US$647.7 million
- 4. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$576.2 million
- 5. Track suits, swimwear and other woven garments (HS 6211)US$561.7 million
- 6. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$530.8 million
- 7. Men's suits, jackets and trousers (HS 6203)US$514.6 million
- 8. Aircraft parts (HS 8807)US$496.9 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Electrical switches and connectors (HS 8536)US$479.2 million
- 10. Plastic articles (HS 3926)US$438 million
- 11. Leather and rubber footwear (HS 6403)US$340.4 million
- 12. Dates and tropical fruit (HS 0804)US$307.6 million
- 13. Gas, liquid and electricity meters (HS 9028)US$263.6 million
- 14. Telephones and smartphones (HS 8517)US$262.4 million
- 15. Electrical control panels (HS 8537)US$256 million
- 16. Women's suits, dresses and trousers (HS 6204)US$253.8 million
- 17. Made-up textile articles (HS 6307)US$224.6 million
- 18. Medical and surgical instruments (HS 9018)US$216.5 million
- 19. Phosphoric acid (HS 2809)US$212.8 million
- 20. T-shirts and knit tops (HS 6109)US$193 million
- Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544) alone is 15.0 percent of 2024 exports, and the top three lines are 26.1 percent. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Tunisia exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Where the goods go
2024, share of goods exports
- France21.7%
- Italy18.8%
- Germany13.3%
- Spain5.3%
- Libya3.9%
- United States3.3%
- Algeria2.7%
- United Kingdom2.2%
- Areas not elsewhere specified and bunkers together are 7.0 percent of 2024 exports; they are in the total but not ranked. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Tunisia exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks olive oil, track suits, swimwear and other woven garments and men's suits, jackets and trousers as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Tunisia’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Tunisia exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 19, 2025
Based on: Top goods exports
Made-up textile articles grew 31% from 2023 to 2024; olive oil grew 29% from 2023 to 2024. 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, Tunisia exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 19, 2025
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.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement
Tunisia ratified the agreement in September 2020 and takes part in the Guided Trade Initiative, with some 300 trade operations done, per the WTO review.
Check the importing country’s AfCFTA schedule and origin rules before you claim the preference.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
COMESA Free Trade Area
Tunisia joined COMESA in 2018 and has taken part in its free trade area since 2020, and the WTO table lists its accession as in force on May 19, 2025.
The free trade area has 16 member states, so check that the importing country is one of them.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
European Union–Tunisia Association Agreement
Covers goods trade with the European Union, and Tunisian exporters can use the revised pan-Euro-Mediterranean origin rules since March 1, 2025.
Goods must meet the agreement’s origin rules, and talks on a deeper free trade area have been paused since April 2019.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
United Kingdom–Tunisia Association Agreement
Largely carries over the European Union agreement, with preferential tariffs and tariff quotas for goods, origin rules, and terms on intellectual property and procurement.
Goods must meet the agreement’s origin rules, and tariff quotas can limit some goods.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Show 11 more agreements
Tunisia–EFTA Free Trade Agreement
Covers goods trade with the European Free Trade Association states.
Check the agreement’s origin rules and product coverage before you claim the preference.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Tunisia–Türkiye Free Trade Agreement
Covers goods trade with Türkiye.
Check the agreement’s origin rules and product coverage before you claim the preference.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Agadir Agreement
Covers goods trade among Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia and supports cumulation of origin in the pan-Euro-Mediterranean framework.
Goods must meet the agreement’s origin rules.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Pan-Arab Free Trade Area
Covers goods trade among 19 members of the League of Arab States, with customs duties cut step by step.
Check each importing member’s own rules and product coverage before you quote.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP)
Gives reciprocal tariff preferences among 42 member states, and Tunisia has benefited since 1989.
Check which partners apply the preference to your product before you claim it.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Tunisia–Morocco bilateral trade agreement
Covers goods trade with Morocco under a bilateral agreement, per the WTO review.
The WTO review lists it as not notified, so confirm the current preference lists with customs.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Tunisia–Libya bilateral trade agreement
Covers goods trade with Libya under a bilateral agreement, per the WTO review.
The WTO review lists it as not notified, so confirm the current preference lists with customs.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Tunisia–Algeria bilateral trade agreement
Covers goods trade with Algeria under a bilateral agreement, per the WTO review.
The WTO review lists it as not notified, so confirm the current preference lists with customs.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Tunisia–Iran preferential trade agreement
Covers preferential goods trade with Iran, per the WTO review.
Confirm the current preference lists with customs before you quote.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
AGOA
AGOA, the United States’ trade preference program for eligible African countries, does not cover Tunisian goods.
As of October 31, 2026, Tunisia is not among the countries listed in USTR’s June 30, 2026 AGOA eligibility review notice, which covers sub-Saharan African countries.
Source: Federal Register, AGOA notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
Developing Countries Trading Scheme
The United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme lists no tier for Tunisia, so Tunisian goods use the association agreement.
As of October 31, 2026, the guidance page names Tunisia in no tier of the scheme.
Source: United Kingdom, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Tunisia
- Register in the National Business Register, get a customs code from customs, and register with CEPEX.Centre de Promotion des ExportationsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
- If your goods are on the export authorization list, file the legal file and request an export authorization from the trade ministry.Ministère du Commerce et du Développement des ExportationsValid six months; the authorities report an average issue time under one weekOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
- For manufactured goods, get the conformity certificate under mutual recognition agreements, or apply for the national quality mark.Institut National de la Normalisation et de la Propriété IndustrielleOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
- For food for export, request the technical quality control before shipment.Office du Commerce de la TunisieOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Trade ministry, page on the Tunisian Trade Office (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 4 more export steps
- Apply for the certificate of origin from customs or from your chamber of commerce and industry, which customs authenticates.Chambres de Commerce et d’IndustrieOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
- Register the detailed goods declaration through Tunisie TradeNet and the customs system SINDA, then clear the customs channel and pay duties and fees.Direction générale des douanesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
- Domicile the export invoice with an authorized bank through Tunisie TradeNet, and confirm settlement and repatriation rules with the central bank.Banque Centrale de TunisieOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
- Ask CEPEX about FOPRODEX support and COTUNACE about export credit insurance.Centre de Promotion des ExportationsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with CEPEX and INS. 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
- Get advice
National export promotion agency
CEPEX
Centre de Promotion des Exportations
Organizes trade fair participation, runs training and trade information, and manages the export promotion fund.
Visit CEPEX (opens in a new tab)Source: Trade ministry, page on the export promotion center (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
INS
Institut National de la Statistique
Publishes the consumer price index, monthly foreign trade statistics and national accounts.
Visit INS (opens in a new tab)Source: INS Tunisia, foreign trade, September 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 12, 2026
Show 4 more organizations
Trade and export ministry
Trade ministry
Ministère du Commerce et du Développement des Exportations
Sets foreign trade policy, authorizes exports of listed goods, and publishes a guide to export procedures and the foreign trade laws.
Visit Trade ministry (opens in a new tab)Source: Trade ministry, guide to export procedures page (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Find finance
Export credit insurer
COTUNACE
Compagnie Tunisienne pour l’Assurance du Commerce Extérieur
Insures export credit risk and manages state guarantee funds for exporters.
Visit COTUNACE (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
- Meet requirements
Central bank
BCT
Banque Centrale de Tunisie
Regulates foreign exchange, publishes daily dinar rates and forms, and answers questions on foreign exchange and foreign trade operations.
Visit BCT (opens in a new tab)Source: Central Bank of Tunisia, home page, October 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
Multilateral trade organization
WTO
World Trade Organization
Multilateral body
Publishes Tunisia’s trade policy review, member information and trade statistics.
Visit WTO (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Tunisia member information page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
DGD
Direction générale des douanes
Applies customs law, assigns the customs code exporters need, and handles export declarations, certificates of origin and duty drawback.
Visit DGD (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
National standards body
INNORPI
Institut National de la Normalisation et de la Propriété Industrielle
Issues Tunisian standards, certifies products and issues conformity certificates, and is the technical barriers to trade enquiry point.
Visit INNORPI (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Public trade office
OCT
Office du Commerce de la Tunisie
Carries out the technical quality control of food products intended for export, as the trade ministry describes.
Visit OCT (opens in a new tab)Source: Trade ministry, page on the Tunisian Trade Office (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
CCIS
Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Sfax
Issues certificates of origin, including electronic ones, and runs export support, training and business missions for companies in its region.
Visit CCIS (opens in a new tab)Source: Sfax chamber of commerce, home page, 2026 notices (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Farmers and fishers union
UTAP
Union Tunisienne de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche
Represents farmers and fishers and organizes trade shows, training and business meetings abroad for its members.
Visit UTAP (opens in a new tab)Source: UTAP, home page, October 2026 notices (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 22, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
The WTO review says the dinar lost 41 percent against the euro and 45 percent against the United States dollar between 2016 and 2024.
What to do: Agree the invoice currency and settlement terms with your bank before you quote.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Logistics and border performance
Marine transport carried 98 percent of Tunisia’s foreign trade by value in 2024, and customs payments can be made electronically since 2024.
What to do: Book port space early and ask your forwarder which customs channel your goods use.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Export authorizations
Listed goods need a trade ministry authorization valid six months, and the authorities report an average issue time under one week.
What to do: Check the list of goods excluded from free export for your product before you promise a delivery date.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review of Tunisia, Secretariat report, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
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 Tunisia project.
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Promote:Tunisia 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.