Customs duties constitute the leading source of government income and are imposed on both imports and exports. Import policies have been liberalized and import licensing eliminated since 1988. However, imports from Israel and South Africa are banned.
Duties on most goods range from 5–30% for imports from countries that do not belong to the West African, Economic Community (CEAO), except for taxes on luxury goods, including cars and videocassette recorders, which vary from 80–100%. Duties for imports from CEAO members are approximately half the rate charged nonmembers.
In 1999, a proposed free trade zone between the European and West Africa (including Mali) was expected to increase the value of imports from Europe while lowering the value of Mali's exports.