Tunisia's totally exporting companies serving European clients

Tunisian textile, electrical components and IT firms often operate under the totally exporting regime, selling nearly everything to Europe. They invoice in euros, receive payment through Tunisian banks and pay staff in dinars. The regime's benefits come with conditions on where sales go.

Rashidatou K.Payments editor

Published: 1 November 2026
Reading time: 1 min read

A Bizerte automotive wiring company employs 2,000 people and sells everything it makes to car parts makers in France, Germany and Italy. It operates under Tunisia's totally exporting regime. It invoices in euros, receives payment at its Tunisian bank and pays staff in dinars.

The regime

Tunisia's totally exporting companies sell all or nearly all output abroad and benefit from customs and tax advantages under Tunisian investment and tax law. Local sales are limited. The regime has attracted European manufacturers in textiles, automotive components, electrical equipment and IT services.

Invoicing and receiving

Clients are mostly in the EU, and contracts are in euros. Payments arrive through Tunisian banks, under exchange regulation provisions that apply to totally exporting companies. Keep contracts and invoices consistent with the regime's conditions.

The dinar

Revenue in euros and costs in dinars mean exchange rate exposure. The dinar has weakened against the euro over time, which has helped exporters' margins, but planning conversions ahead of payroll still matters.

Collections

Large European manufacturers pay on terms, often 60 days. Invoicing on time with purchase order references and following up before due dates protect cash flow.

Where Rivet fits

Rivet opens business accounts for registered companies after verification. Tunisia-registered companies, including totally exporting companies, must follow BCT exchange rules on foreign holdings. European parent companies that contract with clients can use a Rivet business account with euro details from the Growth plan and payouts in 120+ countries. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.

Questions people ask

What is a totally exporting company in Tunisia?

A company that sells all or nearly all of its goods or services abroad, benefiting from tax and customs advantages under Tunisian investment and tax law.

Can totally exporting companies sell locally?

Only within limits set by the regime.

How do they receive payment?

Through Tunisian banks, in foreign currency, under the exchange regulation's provisions for such companies.

Does the dinar affect them?

Yes. Revenue in euros and costs in dinars mean exchange rate exposure. The dinar has weakened against the euro over time.

Sources

Written by

Rashidatou K.

Payments editor

Rashidatou writes Rivet's guides to how money moves between countries: the payment rails, what each one costs, and the account details a company needs to get paid in another currency. Every figure in Rashidatou's articles is traced to the scheme rulebook, the regulator or the provider's published price list, and those sources are listed at the end.