Export Licenses 40. Only 4 commodities require an export license. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issues the licenses and frequently reviews the goods for import and export licensing. The licenses are valid for six months, but may be extended. The Government's policy to shift taxes from international to domestic sources is gradually reducing domestic protection through tariffs.
Import duties vary according to the product and country of origin.
Malawi has bilateral trade agreements with South Africa and Zimbabwe, both of which allow duty-free entrance of Malawian products. However, import duty on cigarettes has been increased to 35 percent while the rates on beer, spirits, vinegar and wine were increased to 25 percent. The sales tax on tobacco, tea and sugar which was introduced as a temporary measure in 1995 was reduced from 8 percent to 4 percent, and now also apply to coffee exports. Customs Valuation 42. The contract, in effect since June 1996, has a WTO PSI agreement appended to it.