A tool already used in several African countries

Madagascar Customs has launched the e-TariffTool platform. This online tool is available to the public, providing easy and thorough access to customs tariffs.

According to Lahinkana Zafvanona Ernest, Director General of Customs, over 6,250 tariff lines are included in the customs tariffs. The e-TariffTool’s use was explained at the Malagasy Customs offices in Tsaralalàna, Antananarivo. Not everyone can make declarations to Customs as tariff lines often conflict with finance laws and require special skills to interpret, necessitating professional forwarding agents. The Customs Department received support from the World Customs Organization (WCO) to implement the e-TariffTool as part of the Harmonized System (HS) Africa program. Malagasy Customs officials attended a two-day training course to ensure proficiency with the tool.

The tool provides comprehensive information on tariff codes, duties, and taxes applicable to various products. The e-Tariff is already used in several sub-Saharan and East African countries, including Mauritius. A specific menu, « etariff.douanes.gov.mg », will be available on the Customs website and the trade information portal. According to the Director General of Customs, the e-Tariff should be implemented on the trade information platform by July.