Malawi maintains bilateral trade agreements with selected countries to facilitate preferential market access. These agreements define specific local content thresholds, product eligibility criteria, and documentation requirements.
1. Malawi–South Africa Trade Agreement
The Malawi–South Africa Trade Agreement, signed in 1990, is a non-reciprocal arrangement under which South Africa grants duty-free access to goods grown, produced, or manufactured in Malawi. To qualify, products must meet a minimum local value-added content requirement of 25 percent.
While the agreement provides broad duty-free access, certain products are subject to annual quotas. For example, tea exports to South Africa are capped at 10,000 metric tons per year.
In addition, selected agricultural products require an import permit issued by the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in order to access preferential treatment. Under normal trade conditions, indicative annual quantities include:
- 300,000 kilograms of unmanufactured tobacco
- 750 metric tons of groundnuts (shelled or in-shell)
- 100 metric tons of processed groundnuts
Exporters must ensure compliance with applicable rules of origin and obtain the required documentation, including the DA 59 Certificate, to benefit from preferential tariff treatment.
For more information, refer to this full Agreement document.
2. Malawi–Zimbabwe Free Trade Agreement
Signed in 1995, the Malawi–Zimbabwe Free Trade Agreement provides reciprocal duty-free access for qualifying goods traded between the two countries. To benefit from preferential treatment, products must meet a minimum domestic content requirement of 25 percent and comply with applicable national standards.
A Zimbabwe Certificate of Origin (Form 60) is required to claim tariff preferences.
For more information, refer to the Agreement document.
3. Malawi–Botswana Trade Arrangement
Malawi maintains a longstanding trade arrangement with Botswana, operational since 1956. Under this arrangement, goods wholly obtained or manufactured in either country qualify for reciprocal duty-free treatment, subject to specified exclusions.
Certain products, including spirits, are excluded from preferential treatment.
A Form D Certificate is required to claim duty exemption.
For more information, refer to the Agreement document.
4. Malawi–Tanzania Simplified Trade Regime Agreement
The Government of Malawi and the United Republic of Tanzania have signed a Simplified Trade Regime (STR) Agreement in February 2026 aimed at boosting cross-border trade between the two countries.
Key Features
- STR allows small-scale traders to move goods valued up to US $2,000 per consignment duty-free, subject to a simplified list of eligible products.
- Simplified procedures across the border.
- Reduced transaction costs.
5. Malawi–Kenya Trade Relations
Trade between Malawi and Kenya is primarily governed by regional and multilateral frameworks, including the COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA) and the WTO framework.
As members of COMESA, both countries grant duty-free access to qualifying goods that meet the applicable Rules of Origin. Exporters must obtain the relevant COMESA Certificate of Origin to benefit from tariff preferences.
6. Malawi–China Bilateral Trade Agreement
The Malawi–China Bilateral Trade Agreement provides duty-free access for qualifying Malawian goods into the Chinese market, subject to agreed rules of origin requirements.
Products benefiting under this arrangement include selected agricultural commodities such as tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, and legumes.
For more information, refer to the Agreement document.
7. Malawi–Mozambique Trade Agreement
The Malawi–Mozambique Bilateral Trade Agreement provides duty-free access for goods originating from either country, except for products listed under the exclusion schedule (Annex I).
Excluded products include selected beverages, tobacco, sugar, vegetable oil, poultry products, stationery, petroleum products, and specified controlled goods.
Mozambique also serves as a key transit corridor for Malawian imports and exports. The agreement therefore includes provisions aimed at facilitating trade and transit.