Myanmar is a member of the WTO. However, the international tariff standard covers only 18% of its goods and services. Despite its limited commitment to binding international tariff agreements, Myanmar often imposes tariffs equal to or lower than other countries in the region. Agricultural goods have an average tariff of 8.7% while non-agricultural goods have an average tariff of 5.1%. Tariffs usually range from 0 to 40%. High-end items have the highest tariffs.

1. Tax policy and tax rates

Myanmar is a member of the WTO. However, the international tariff standard covers only 18% of its goods and services. Despite its limited commitment to binding international tariff agreements, Myanmar often imposes tariffs equal to or lower than other countries in the region. Agricultural goods have an average tariff of 8.7% while non-agricultural goods have an average tariff of 5.1%. Tariffs usually range from 0 to 40%. High-end items have the highest tariffs.

As a member of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), Myanmar has committed to the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) to reduce import duties within ASEAN to 93% of total tariff lines in 2015 and 100% of sugar in 2018. Foreign companies can look up Myanmar's import and export tariffs at the Myanmar Customs Department (http://www.myanmarcustoms.gov.mm) website.

Myanmar follows the ASEAN system and the Harmonized System of International Nomenclature. The government can impose three taxes on imports: import duties, trade taxes, and license fees. The Customs Department will calculate the tax payable based on customs, insurance and freight (CIF) valuations. For some items, the Customs Department uses its own reference guide to determine the value of imports. This guide lists prices in Kyat based on the prices of these items in Myanmar, sometimes lower or higher than the actual value outside Myanmar. Foreign companies can refer to the information at the National Trade Portal (http://informationmatrix.net).

2. Trade Policy

As a member of ASEAN, Myanmar is involved in the signing and implementation of all agreements in the ASEAN region as well as multilateral free trade agreements with Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Japan and South Korea. Myanmar also joined the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).

Myanmar has bilateral trade agreements with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam in the Asian region, as well as with several Eastern European countries. Myanmar is a member of the WTO and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Economic and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

Myanmar has border trade agreements with China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos. The Government of Myanmar has signed several Memorandums of Understanding to expand bilateral trade with these countries.

The United States and Myanmar also signed the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement in May 2013.

3. Some useful addresses

• Representative Office of the Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar

Address: Directorate of Trade 228-240, Strand Road P.O.Box 1378; 11141 YANGON Tel: (00951) 253025 / (00951) 253025

Fax: (00951) 280679

Email: com@mptmail.net.mm Website: www.myanmarnarcotic.net

• Embassy of Vietnam in Myanmar

Address: No. 28-29 Kyauk Kone Road, Yankin District, Yangon City Phone: (+95-1) 856 6076

Fax: (+95-1) 855 0220

Email: vnembmyr2012@gmail.com Website: vnembassy-yangon.mofa.gov.vn

• Vietnam Trade Office in Myanmar

Address: No. 28-29 Kyauk Kone Road, Yankin District, Yangon City Phone: +95 1511 305 (Ext.109)

Fax: +95 1514 897

Email: mm@moit.gov.vn;

• Embassy of Myanmar in Vietnam

Address: A3 Diplomatic Zone, Van Phuc, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi Phone: (84 4) 8453369

Fax: (84 4) 8452404

• Myanmar Investment Commission Office – Department of Investment and Company Management, Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar

Address: Building No. 32, Nay Pyi Taw

Phone: 95-67-406334,406139,406075

Fax: 95 – 67 -406333

Email: dica.nped@mptmail.net.mm