Burma Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in burma, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Distribution networks in Burma are fragmented and unreliable outside metropolitan areas. The majority of the retail market is comprised of small- and medium-sized businesses.

Yangon is the primary distribution center for goods imported by sea and air. Mandalay is the distribution hub for upper Burma, especially for goods imported by land from China. Myawaddy is a border city with Thailand that plays a significant role in the distribution of Thai products and other imported goods from other ASEAN countries.

The Port of Yangon, Burma’s premier port, consists of two parts. The largest one is the Burma International Terminal Thilawa, which contains two terminals and six piers next to the Thilawa Special Economic Zone. The second is the old Yangon port area, covering four terminals and fifteen wharves. The combined Port handles over 90 percent of export/import maritime cargo and serves as the city’s and country’s central logistics hub.

Using an Agent or Distributor

The Commercial Service Burma strongly advises U.S. businesses to consult with locally-based professional service providers, including law firms, for conducting due diligence on potential agents or distributors. This is critical because Burma lacks the equivalent of a Better Business Bureau, and there is very little publicly available information on local companies. The Commercial Service Burma can also assist U.S. companies in finding appropriate agents and distributors in Burma through its matchmaking services.

Establishing an Office

Since February 2021, the business operating environment in Burma has presented new challenges for local firms and foreign investors due to constant changes in trade and financial regulations. Several high-profile investors chose to exit the market or pause operations in Burma, while some potential investors have elected to postpone entering the market.

For the latest Investment Climate Statement (ICS), which includes information on investment and business environments in foreign economies pertinent to establishing and operating an office and to hiring employees, visit the U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Investment Climate Statements.

Direct Marketing

Direct marketing as a form of multi-level marketing exists in Burma. However, this sector is still relatively novel and small. Digital marketing on social media is a rapidly evolving and effective marketing platform for companies of all sizes.  Facebook and Instagram have been formally banned by the regime but are still  used with the assistance of a virtual private network (VPN). In response, many businesses have adapted by shifting digital marketing efforts to alternative platforms such as Telegram, TikTok, and Search Engine Optimization-driven content strategies. Telegram has become a key channel for targeted customer engagement, while TikTok is gaining popularity for brand visibility, particularly among younger audiences. These shifts reflect a broader move toward platform diversification amid tightening digital restrictions.

Joint Ventures/Licensing

Foreign companies may enter into joint ventures with individuals and companies from Burma. U.S. businesses should consult with locally based legal and business consulting firms to determine the specific rules and regulations that apply to their proposed investment or business activity.

Due Diligence

U.S. companies are advised to utilize the services of local and international professional services that specialize in performing due diligence services due to the lack of readily available market and financial data on potential partners. The U.S. Commercial Service Office offers customized services including Initial Market Check (IMC), International Partner Search (IPS), and Virtual Single Company Promotion (SCP) that help U.S. businesses find reputable local business partners. 

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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