Mozambique: Surtaxes on import tariffs to lift local industry

Mozambique is considering imposing and increasing import tariffs on food products and is already preparing to apply them to ceramic products in order to stimulate local production, said the Secretary of State for Commerce, António Grispos. ““We can take measures to stimulate local activity or production (…) and, if possible, replace our imports with local production,” the official said following his visit on Monday to the Safira Mozambique Ceramic factory in Maputo. Grispos explained that, given the current situation regarding the importation of food and ceramic products in the country, any increase in tariffs might involve a formal accreditation process for importers.

“We could implement a surtax, raising the tariff from 7.5% to 20%, which is the legal maximum. This could involve accrediting the current importers operating in Mozambique,” the Secretary of State for Commerce said after visiting Safira , the first unit of the Chinese Wang-Kang group in the country. The factory, operational since 2024, produces tiles and ceramic slabs and represents an investment of US$140 million.

The official also criticised the country’s dependence on foreign supply for the national market, stressing that these imports would undergo a thorough review. For example, Grispos said: “Mozambique imports toothpicks, Mozambique imports water. All of these matters will be subject to a careful assessment by the Import Advisory Commission.” He added that the government is prepared to take the necessary decisions, considering legal and financial implications, without harming domestic producers.

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“The government is in a position to make a conscientious decision, so as not to harm the producer, but above all to boost national production and industry, replacing imports where possible with locally produced goods,” Grispos said. He further noted that the Mozambican government will also evaluate whether fiscal incentives within a special economic zone could support the sustainability of ceramic product factories in the country. “We will now make a decision on the ceramic sector, and we will also examine issues relating to the importation of bread, chicken, and many other basic products that Mozambique still imports,” he said.

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