Country Gees

Customs control. Duty-free importation of cigarettes is allowed – up to 20 packs or blocks, alcoholic beverages – no more than 2 liters. Foreigners are allowed to import jewelry and jewelry with a total weight of up to 1 kg, residents – up to 250 g. The export of precious stones must be accompanied by an appropriate certificate issued by the Ministry of Mining (issued upon purchase). Jewelry must have a seal. A customs declaration is required if the total weight of the exported products exceeds 250 g. An export permit issued by the Ministry of the Environment is required for the export of valuable wood products.

In the case of weapons and ammunition, an import permit obtained from the country of origin is required; subject to customs clearance.

Import/export of the national currency in the amount not exceeding 400,000 ariary is not declared. The import of foreign currency is not limited, however, when importing significant amounts of foreign currency, it is recommended to issue a declaration in order to avoid problems with customs control when leaving the country. When exporting foreign currency, it is subject to mandatory written declaration if the total amount in the equivalent exceeds 10,000,000 ariary. Foreign currency purchased in Madagascar must be accompanied by the relevant exchange receipts.

Export of meat products duty-free up to 5 kg. The export of fish and seafood is duty-free up to 2 kg of each product with a total weight of up to 10 kg. Export of vegetable products: 1) onion, pepper, coffee up to 1 kg of each product; 2) grains, cereals, beans up to 5 kg; 3) culinary vanilla (in pods or ground) up to 2 kg.

Prohibited for import/export are species of flora and fauna, as well as products made from them, native gold, raw precious and semi-precious stones, industrial minerals.

Prices. Prices in Madagascar are already quite low, but you can and should bargain almost everywhere.

Tipping. Tips are best given in local currency. In restaurants, they make up about 10% of the total order value. In restaurants and hotels in the capital, the same 10% is automatically added to the bill.

Security. Tourists should be careful. You should not demonstrate expensive photo and video equipment, valuables or documents, as well as leave things unattended. It is not recommended to walk alone at night through the streets. You should always carry a photocopy of your passport with you, and keep your passport, money and air ticket in a safe place, for example, in a safe in a hotel. Do not carry large amounts of money with you, avoid crowded places – markets, stadiums, demonstrations, festivities, etc., exchange currency only at official exchange offices or banks, requiring an appropriate receipt. In addition, be sure to respect the customs and mores of the Malagasy.

Communication. There are three GSM cellular operators in Madagascar – Telma, Orange and Zain, which also offer GPRS, EDGE and 3G Internet services (available in Antananarivo, as well as in a number of large settlements). The geography of coverage areas is different for each operator, however, reception is generally stable in cities and along national highways. When buying a SIM card, you need to present a passport and fill out a subscriber card.

Helpful Phones. The international code for Madagascar is 8-10-261. Firefighters-rescuers – 18, 118, 020-22-225-66. Police – 17, 117 (on duty);
020-22-227-36 (central commissariat); 020-22-205-84, 020-22-230-84, 020-22-214-65 (criminal brigade); 020-22-227-35 (traffic inspection team). Gendarmerie – 034-17-626-63, 034-14-005-23. Ambulance – 020-22-357-53

Official holidays and weekends in Madagascar.

January 1 – New Year;
March 8 – International Women’s Day;
March 29 – Anniversary of the 1947 uprising.
First Monday after Easter;
May 1 – Labor Day;
Holy Trinity Day – the seventh Monday after Easter;
Ascension – Tuesday, 40 days after Easter;
June 26 – National holiday – Independence Day;
August 15 – Assumption of the Virgin;
November 1 – All Saints Day;
December 25 – Christmas.

Visa to Madagascar

For persons traveling to Madagascar on a short trip, Malagasy consular offices abroad issue two types of visas – ordinary (single, double or triple entry for a total stay of up to 90 days) or permanent (multiple entry for 3 years with each stay up to 90 days).

Ordinary visas can also be obtained directly from airports serving international flights.

The price of a single entry visa for up to 30 days is approximately 23 euros; a visa for up to 90 days can also be issued at the airport, its cost is approximately 40 euros.

When crossing the border, you must have a return ticket with you, as well as an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever (for persons who have been in a country that is disadvantaged in this regard for the last 6 days).

It is also necessary to have a passport in hand, valid for the next 6 months after the trip.