Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Malawi

Africa

In 2025 the United States exported $24.2 million of goods to Malawi and imported $48.6 million from there. Malawi ranked 187th among US export markets and 142nd among sources of US imports.

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US exports, 2025
$24.2MDown 9.9% on 2024 ($26.9 million)
US imports, 2025
$48.6MUp 22.4% on 2024 ($39.7 million)
Goods balance
$24.4MUS deficit
Export market rank
187thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
142ndAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Malawi

Special classification provisions (chapter 98) led US exports to Malawi at $7.2 million, 30% of the total. The top three chapters made up 59%.

  1. 98Special classification provisions$7.2 million29.6%
  2. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$3.5 million14.5%
  3. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$3.5 million14.4%
  4. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$2.8 million11.5%
  5. 30Pharmaceutical products$2.0 million8.2%

US imports from Malawi

Tobacco and nicotine products (chapter 24) led US imports from Malawi at $28.7 million, 59% of the total. The top three chapters made up 90%.

  1. 24Tobacco and nicotine products$28.7 million59.1%
  2. 08Fruit and nuts$7.8 million16.1%
  3. 09Coffee, tea and spices$7.3 million15.1%
  4. 17Sugar and confectionery$3.4 million7.0%
  5. 64Footwear$505 thousand1.0%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Malawi, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Malawi requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Malawi.

Exports through the port, 2025
$2.1M8.7% of the US total with Malawi
Leading export goods
Special classification provisionsHS chapter 98, $1.1 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$29.7M61.1% of the US total with Malawi
Leading import goods
Tobacco and nicotine productsHS chapter 24, $25.7 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Getting cargo to Malawi

Malawi is landlocked. Ocean cargo for Malawi discharges at a seaport in a neighboring country and moves on by road or rail.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.