# Caribbean Netherlands (BQ)

**Capital:** none (Kralendijk – Bonaire; The Bottom – Saba; Oranjestad – Sint Eustatius)  
**Currency:** US Dollar (USD) (USD)  
**Population:** 31'980  
**Area:** 328 km²

> Die Karibischen Niederlande (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba) sind besondere Gemeinden der Niederlande, gehören aber als EU-OCT nicht zum EU-Zollgebiet. Der Einfuhrzoll beträgt 0 Prozent; erhoben wird die ABB (Bonaire 8 Prozent, Saba/Sint Eustatius 6 Prozent). Zuständig ist die Douane Caribisch Nederland. Währung ist der US-Dollar. Die Inseln sind stark importabhängig; Sint Eustatius ist mit dem GTI-Statia-Terminal ein bedeutender Öl-Umschlagplatz.

The Caribbean Netherlands (ISO Code: BQ) consists of the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, located in the southern Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela. Politically, they are special municipalities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with local administration and direct connection to the Dutch government. The climate is tropical-arid to tropical-maritime, with warm temperatures year-round, a rainy season between October and January, and high humidity. Economically, tourism, salt production, fishing, and services play the most important role, complemented by limited agricultural production. Foreign trade is small, with exports primarily consisting of salt, fish products, and tourist services, while the islands are highly dependent on imports for food, energy, and consumer goods. Strategically located ports and the international airport in Bonaire ensure transit and logistics functions for regional goods and passenger flows. The national currency is the US Dollar (USD), which enables stable economic transactions. The geographical location favors the Caribbean Netherlands as a hub for tourism and maritime logistics. Infrastructure, political ties to the Netherlands, and international accessibility strengthen the economic and logistical significance of the islands.

**Top Import Partners:** NL, US, CO, VE, CN

**Top Export Partners:** NL, US, VO, VE, CW

**Top Import Goods:** Nahrungsmittel, Erdölprodukte, Konsumgüter, Fahrzeuge, Maschinen

**Top Export Goods:** Salz, Fisch, Dienstleistungen

**Key Airports:**
- [Flamingo International Airport (BON)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/flamingo-international-airport-bon)
- [F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/f-d-roosevelt-airport-eux)
- [Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/juancho-e-yrausquin-airport-sab)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Keine MwSt  
**Customs complexity:** niedrig bis mittel  
**Customs system:** Als EU-OCT ausserhalb des EU-Zollgebiets; Einfuhrzoll (invoerrechten) generell 0 Prozent. Abwicklung durch die Douane Caribisch Nederland; bei Einfuhr fällt die ABB an.  
**Customs authority:** [Belastingdienst Caribisch Nederland / Douane Caribisch Nederland](https://www.belastingdienst-cn.nl/)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** EU-OCT-Inselgruppe (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba); importabhängige Karibik-Standorte mit Öl-Transshipment auf Statia  
**Economic area:** EU-OCT (ausserhalb EU-Zollgebiet)  
**Logistics risk:** niedrig bis mittel  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** mittel bis hoch  
**Pharma/cold chain:** mittel

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.belastingdienst-cn.nl/](https://www.belastingdienst-cn.nl/)
- [https://english.belastingdienst-cn.nl/topics/import-tax-for-private-individuals](https://english.belastingdienst-cn.nl/topics/import-tax-for-private-individuals)
- [https://english.mijncn.nl/mijncn-services/belastingdienst-caribisch-nederland/abb-general-expenditure-tax](https://english.mijncn.nl/mijncn-services/belastingdienst-caribisch-nederland/abb-general-expenditure-tax)
- [https://www.grantthornton.global/en/insights/indirect-tax-guide/indirect-tax---Dutch-Caribbean-Bonaire/](https://www.grantthornton.global/en/insights/indirect-tax-guide/indirect-tax---Dutch-Caribbean-Bonaire/)
- [https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2025/21/population-of-the-caribbean-netherlands-up-by-nearly-1-6-thousand-in-2024](https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2025/21/population-of-the-caribbean-netherlands-up-by-nearly-1-6-thousand-in-2024)
- [https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/overseas-countries-and-territories_en](https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/overseas-countries-and-territories_en)
- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Netherlands)
- [https://gtistatia.com/about-us](https://gtistatia.com/about-us)

*Last verified: 2026-06-24*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/bq](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/bq)*

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