As you begin your move to the beautiful island of Mauritius, you need a clear understanding of the country's customs rules and import regulations. This article walks you through the process step by step, explaining the procedures, fees and duties that apply when bringing goods into Mauritius.
Required documents for importing personal belongings to Mauritius
Upon the arrival of your container in Mauritius, the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) will contact you to complete the legal formalities. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Your passport.
- Your Occupation Permit or pre-approval document.
- A detailed list of imported goods (packing list).
- A declaration of the value of your goods.
- The carrier's invoice (bill of lading).
- The insurance certificate, if applicable.
- Any other permits required by local authorities (veterinary, agricultural, sanitary, etc.).
Timeline for retrieving your belongings
Regarding the retrieval of your personal effects upon arrival, if all the required documents have been submitted on time and the fees have been paid, the processing times are generally as follows:
- 4 to 5 business days for sea freight.
- 1 to 3 business days for air freight.
Good to know:
If you cannot provide your Occupation Permit or pre-approval document, the authorities will require a bank deposit as a guarantee until the necessary documents are obtained. An additional deposit may also be required to allow the clearance of your goods, along with any additional taxes.
Authorized, prohibited, or restricted products in Mauritius
As in many countries, the importation of certain products is allowed, while others are prohibited or require prior official authorization. To ensure compliance with the law, all shipments of goods, whether by sea or air, are subject to thorough customs inspection before being released to their owner.
Duty-free and non-declaration goods in Mauritius
In addition to clothing and personal effects, foreign nationals can freely import certain personal items duty-free, provided they are already used:
- A portable musical instrument.
- A personal audio player and/or image recorder.
- A portable radio.
- A portable video camera.
- A camera.
- A non-motorized bicycle.
- A windsurf board with up to 3 matching sails.
- Fishing equipment (excluding spearfishing weapons).
- Diving and golf equipment.
Important:
These items must be re-exported within six months of their importation. Otherwise, duties and taxes will apply.
Products requiring prior authorization in Mauritius
Certain products are subject to strict regulations and require a permit before importation. Here are some examples:
- Animal and plant species protected by CITES and their derivatives: a permit is mandatory.
- Plants and derivatives (fruits, vegetables, seeds): authorization from the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries.
- Domestic animals: import permit required from the veterinary services of the Ministry of Agro-Industry.
- Firearms and edged weapons: import permit required by the Mauritius Police Force.
Good to know:
Flower boxes sold at airports come with a phytosanitary certificate authorizing their import or export.
Unless for professional use, the importation of weapons (of war, hunting, or spearfishing) and ammunition is prohibited in Mauritius.
Prohibited products in Mauritius
The importation of the following items is strictly prohibited:
- Rolling paper (for cigarettes or joints).
- Counterfeit products.
- Obscene publications and pornographic material.
- Sugar cane cuttings and plants.
- Drugs.
- Prohibited weapons, such as switchblades, batons, or any weapon disguised as another object.
Products requiring authorization in Mauritius
- Live animals.
- Animal-derived products.
Important:
In any form, drugs are prohibited; their importation is illegal and trafficking is severely punished by law. Soft drugs, including cannabis, are not legal in Mauritius. The possession of rolling paper is also prohibited.
The failure to declare prohibited or pre-authorized products at customs constitutes a serious offense. Offenders are subject to a fine or even imprisonment, and the products are immediately seized.
Duty-free allowance in Mauritius
Option A:
Up to 250 g of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits, and 2 liters of wine, beer, or ale.
Option B:
Up to 250 g of tobacco and 2 liters of spirits.
Option C:
Up to 250 g of tobacco and 4 liters of wine, beer, or ale.
Cash limit
Currencies valued over Rs 500,000 must be declared at customs.
Other goods
Personal medications must be accompanied by a prescription issued by a medical practitioner.
Residents aged 12 and over can import personal goods valued up to Rs 15,000.
Residents under 12 and non-residents, regardless of age, can import personal goods valued up to Rs 7,500.
Order delivery from abroad to Mauritius
It is possible to order online from Mauritius. Most foreign merchants deliver to the island.
E-commerce websites delivering to Mauritius
Major e-commerce platforms, Amazon, AliExpress, and eBay, ship their products to Mauritius. Amazon, in partnership with UPS, ensures fast delivery, while Temu, AliExpress, and eBay use the local postal service to deliver your packages to the nearest post office.
Once on site, you will need to pay handling fees that may vary depending on the value of the purchased products (a little over a dollar) to retrieve your package.
For online retailers that do not deliver directly to Mauritius or charge exorbitant shipping fees, it is possible to use a company specializing in international transport to handle your shipments.
Maritime transport companies
Mauritius has several reliable transport companies to ensure the receipt of your orders. Among the main ones:
- Mauritius Post.
- DHL Express.
- FedEx.
- Celero.
- UPS Express, locally represented by Velogic.
Customs fees
The tax and customs regulations in Mauritius are as follows:
- Products valued under Rs 1,000 are exempt from customs duties and VAT.
- For items valued between Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000, a standard VAT of 15% is generally applied.
- Products valued over Rs 10,000 require clearance through a brokerage company, as the Mauritius Post does not allow direct withdrawal.
Clearance fees
Items valued over Rs 10,000 may incur brokerage fees, in addition to VAT and possibly customs duties.
Specific customs duties
- Handbags: Bags made of textiles or plastic sheets are subject to a 30% customs duty unless they are made of leather.
- Tableware and kitchenware: They are subject to a 15% tax, in addition to the standard VAT applicable to all products.
Unsolicited items
For unsolicited items, such as gifts sent by relatives abroad:
- VAT exemption if their value is less than Rs 1,000.
- If the value exceeds Rs 1,000, VAT is calculated on the total value of the item, minus a Rs 1,000 allowance.
Customs duties vs VAT
- Customs duties are calculated solely on the value of the item, excluding shipping costs.
- VAT, however, is applied to the total price paid, including transport and insurance costs.
These rules are essential for importers in Mauritius, as they determine the taxes and duties based on the value and nature of the products.
Good to know:
Mauritius has a secure framework for online shopping, in compliance with the Electronic Transactions Act of 2000.
Useful Addresses and Links:
Customs Office
Customs House, Mer Rouge, Port Louis
Tel.: (230) 202 0500 / 01
Web: MRA
Ministry of Agro-Industry
Levels 8 and 9, Renganaden Seeneevassen Building
Corner of Jules Koenig and Maillard Streets, Port Louis
Tel.: (230) 212 0854, (230) 212 2940
Fax: (230) 213 0029
Email: moaheadoffice@govmu.org
Web: MOA
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
