🇹🇳 Import Customs & Duties: Tunisia
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$0
Duty applies from $0
VAT / Sales Tax
19%
CIF value + duty. Reduced 7% on basic food, 13% on some services. Consumption tax (droit de consommation) on luxury goods.
Clearance Time
2-5 days express, 7-14 postal days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0-20% (EU Association preferential rates) | 85 |
| Clothing | 20-30% | 61-62 |
| Footwear | 20-30% | 64 |
| Food products | 0-36% (wheat 17%, olive oil protected, sugar 36%) | 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-15% (EU-origin often 0%) | 84 |
| Cosmetics | 15-30% | 33 |
| Books | 0% | 49 |
| Toys | 15-30% | 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Import Duty Calculator
Customs Clearance Process
Direction Generale des Douanes tunisiennes manages customs. TTN (Tunisia TradeNet) electronic single window system for declarations. EU-Tunisia Association Agreement provides preferential duty rates on EU-origin goods (most industrial products at 0%). Four tariff bands for non-EU goods. Customs broker mandatory for commercial imports. La Goulette, Rades, and Sfax are main ports.
What to Actually Expect
Efficient for North Africa. EU Association Agreement gives preferential rates on EU goods, most industrial products enter duty-free. TTN (Tunisia TradeNet) electronic system works well. Rades port near Tunis handles most container traffic. Express couriers (DHL, FedEx) clear in 2-3 days. La Poste tunisienne parcels 1-2 weeks. French and Arabic documentation. Corruption lower than regional average. Customs modernization ongoing with EU support.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
Most industrial goods import freely. Import license required for: agricultural products under quotas, pharmaceuticals (Ministry of Health), weapons, used goods. Technical control certificates (certificat de conformite) for consumer goods. Strict controls on used vehicles.
Certificate of Origin
Issued by Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Tunis (CCIT). EUR.1 movement certificate for EU Association Agreement preferential rates. Pan-Euro-Mediterranean cumulation rules. GAFTA certificates for Arab regional trade. Agadir Agreement certificates for Morocco, Egypt, Jordan.
Learn more →Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Duty & Tax Estimate
Estimated import charges when shipping goods to Tunisia:
| Goods Value | Duty | VAT/Tax | Total Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $10 | $11 | $21 |
| $100 | $20 | $23 | $43 |
| $200 | $40 | $46 | $86 |
| $500 | $100 | $114 | $214 |
| $1000 | $200 | $228 | $428 |
Estimates only. Actual duties depend on product category and HS code.
Popular routes to Tunisia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Tunisia?
Tunisia has no duty-free threshold. All imported goods are subject to duties regardless of their value.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Tunisia?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Tunisia is 19%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. Reduced 7% on basic food, 13% on some services. Consumption tax (droit de consommation) on luxury goods.
How long does customs clearance take in Tunisia?
Typical customs clearance in Tunisia takes 2-5 days express, 7-14 postal days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Tunisia?
To import into Tunisia, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Tunisia?
Tunisia prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.