The U.S. Embassy in Mauritius is committed to supporting U.S. companies to start or expand their exports here.

If you are considering exporting to Mauritius, here are some steps you may wish to consider (in addition to those listed under the Getting Started Tab):

1. Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center for advice and support on exporting to Mauritius.

2. Contact the U.S. Embassy: The Embassy’s Economic/Commercial Section in collaboration with the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in South Africa provides a number of services to help U.S. companies identify potential local partners. Information on our services is available here.  

3. Learn about Requirements and Restrictions on Importation of Goods: 

• Import Requirements and Documentation
• Labeling/Marking Requirements
• Prohibited and Restricted Imports

In addition to the above, if you are considering investing in Mauritius:

1. Contact the U.S. Embassy:The U.S. Embassy wants to stay in touch with current investors. Here are steps you can take to keep us involved:

• Register: If you are an active investor in Mauritius, let us know by email.
• Add us to your mailing lists- we are always happy to stay informed.
• Meet with our economic and commercial team to let us know about your activities and discuss any issues.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy Port Louis Facebook page.

2. Use our Gold Key Service: This service can help you find potential agents, distributors, sales representatives and business partners. Further details can be found here.

3. Understand the Procedures for Setting up a Company in Mauritius: Guidelines for the incorporation of a company and the registration of a business in Mauritius are available here. The on-line application form for the incorporation of a company can be accessed here.

Obtain Information on Occupation Permits: The Economic Development Board’s website is a good starting point for information on working as a professional in Mauritius.

In this section you will find information on business visas, travel advisories, and anti-corruption tools.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens, but travelers must have an onward or return ticket. Immunization certificates are not required unless the traveler arrives from an infected area.

U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign business persons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links:  State Department Visa Website or U.S. Embassy Port Louis Consular Section.

Travel Advisories

Make sure to check the current State Department travel advisory for Mauritius.

FCPA

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is an important anti-corruption tool designed to discourage corrupt business practices in favor of free and fair markets.  The FCPA prohibits promising, offering, giving or authorizing giving anything of value to a foreign government official where the purpose is to obtain or retain business.  These prohibitions apply to U.S. persons, both individuals and companies, and companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges. The statute also requires companies publicly traded in the U.S. to keep accurate books and records and implement appropriate internal controls.

More information on the FCPA can be found on their website:

http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa/

A party to a transaction seeking to know whether a proposed course of conduct would violate the FCPA can take advantage of the opinion procedure established by the statue.  Within 30 days of receiving a description of a proposed course of conduct in writing, the Attorney General will provide the party with a written opinion on whether the proposed conduct would violate the FCPA.  Not only do opinions provide the requesting party with a rebuttable presumption that the conduct does not violate the FCPA, but DOJ publishes past opinions which can provide guidance for other companies facing similar situations.