Business opportunities
The Opportunities Online website may be a useful addition to your information sources. The database established by Austrade aims to deliver international sales leads ('export opportunities'), including tenders, generated by our overseas network to Australian businesses.
Registering is simple and once this is done you will have the option of accessing a weekly newsletter featuring the most recent opportunities uploaded onto the system in industry sectors of interest to you. Another feature is the ability to view, and also print, the complete page of opportunity details.
For general inquiries concerning Austrade’s services, please contact Austrade Direct on 13 28 78.
Business etiquette
Please note: Bribery of foreign public officials is a crime. Australian individuals and companies can be prosecuted in Australia for bribing foreign officials when overseas. For more information, go to the Attorney General's Department on foreign bribery.
Tariffs and regulations
Import restrictions
Both the private and state sectors directly and individually import goods. Economic liberalisation has permitted joint venture importing of previously state restricted items. Import licences are required for all goods imported by individual concerns.
Import trade may be conducted with any country without restriction, except with countries that have been placed under UN embargo resolutions or with whom Myanmar has severed diplomatic relations.
A licensing fee of five per cent of the CIF value is levied on imports that are intended for resale, but imports for departmental use are exempted.
Foreign exchange is controlled by the Foreign Exchange Department of The Central Bank of Myanmar.
Letters of credit opened by the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank and the Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank serve as exchange permits.
Tariff
Single-column tariff. Most duties are ad valorem assessed on the real value of goods, which may be defined as either:
the tariff value fixed by the Government from time to time or
the CIF value of goods of a similar type and quality
Most imports which are classified as luxury items are assessed on the prevailing market value.
Customs authority contact details:
Director General
Customs Department
132 Strand Road
Rangoon
Tel: +95 128 5891
Packing, marking and labelling
All tender notices give complete details of the type of packing required. Packing should guard against the possibility of rough handling and exposure to dampness, dust and heat.
Instructions for handling should be in English. It is desirable that instructions should be accompanied by the explanatory symbols.
All goods should indicate their origin if they bear any trademarks or words in the English language. Such origin indications should be printed or stamped - in letters as large and conspicuous as any other English wording - on every article, label, or wrapping bearing such an indication. It should be repeated for all applications of the name, trademark, or English words.
In addition, piece goods should have the length in yards or fractions stamped on each piece or they are prohibited imports. In cut pieces, the number of pieces, as well as the yardage, should be shown, eg. 40 yd/3 pieces. The marking must appear in a contrasting colour, not in the inner fold of the goods but on the fabric itself, and must not be removable except by washing.
Weights and measures
Imperial system is frequently used, bit metric equivalents are accepted.
Insurance
Insurance will be effected by the Myanmar Insurance Corporation and its joint venture partners.
Methods of quoting and payment
Quotes must be on an FOB basis. Payment is usually by irrevocable letter of credit. Long-term credit is sometimes sought for capital equipment. Valid until the end of the financial year (31 March).
Public health requirements
Ruminant animals may not be landed without permission of the official veterinary officer of the port authority in Yangon (formerly Rangoon).
Documentation
Fax signatures are not permitted.
Pro-forma invoice
The Invitation to Tender stipulates the required number, and tenderers should always comply with its requirements.
Commercial invoice
No prescribed form. Number will be stipulated but minimum of three copies required for bank purposes and up to 20 additional signed copies may be required by the consignee. The additional signed copies of invoices must be forwarded, by airmail, to the onsignee as soon as the consignment has been shipped. The documentation must include:
- Name and address of consignee
- Name of transporting vessel
- Country of origin of the goods
- FOB and C&F value of the goods
- Number of packages
- Contents and quantities per casebale or bundle
- Case marks and numbers
Bill of lading
To Order bills are acceptable but must show the names and addresses of both the consignee and the bank to be notified. Received for Shipment bills are not acceptable.
On Board bills, dated not later than expiry date for shipment or of the letter of credit, are acceptable
The bill must show freight in Sterling and also the contract number.
Two non-negotiable copies must be forwarded to the Transmare Shipping Agency Pty Ltd, 35 William Street, Melbourne (official agents for the State-owned Five Star Shipping line).
In return the agency issues six copies of a Letter of Nomination to the exporter who sends four copies to the shipping company and two copies, together with the negotiable copy of the bill of lading, to the bank.
Description of goods on the bill of lading must be identical with the description on the commercial invoice and pro-forma invoice.
Certificate of origin
Two copies when requested.
Packing list
Minimum of six copies required, and they must show:
for each case, its number and specifications and, for each carton, etc., enclosed in the case, the quantities of the items contained
one copy must be included in each case
one copy must be attached to the invoices accompanying the shipping documents
minimum of four copies must be included with the additional signed copies of invoices sent to consignee (see 'Commercial invoice')
Special certificates
Fruit and vegetables for consumption and all plants and plant products must be covered by phytosanitary certificates issued by the approved authority in the country of origin (see 'Guidelines', section 2.3).
Imports of livestock must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the approved authority in the country of origin (see 'Guidelines', section 2.3.).
A certificate of age may be required for spirituous beverages.
Shaving brushes made of hair or bristle must be accompanied by health certificates attesting their freedom from anthrax.
A suppliers certificate may be called for in the tender notice or firm contract.
Taxation
Tax is levied on most imports. Most imports into Burma are subject to a sales tax, which is levied on the duty-paid value. Goods (for sales tax purposes) are classified as luxury, with a tax rate of 15 per cent; standard goods, with a tax rate of 10 per cent; land privileged goods, with a tax rate of 5 per cent. Rates range between 10 per cent and 300 per cent. |