# Cook Islands (CK)

**Capital:** Avarua  
**Currency:** New Zealand Dollar (NZD) (NZD)  
**Population:** 15'040  
**Area:** 236 km²

> The Cook Islands are a highly import-dependent island nation in the South Pacific in free association with New Zealand. Customs clearance runs through the Cook Islands Customs Service using the ASYCUDA online system; VAT is 15 percent and import charges apply above a consignment value of 750 NZD. The key port is Avatiu on Rarotonga (around 90 percent of imports), while Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) handles air freight. New Zealand is the main supplier; principal exports are fish, pearls, noni and taro.

The Cook Islands (ISO code: CK) are a nation in the South Pacific, located approximately midway between New Zealand and Hawaii. Politically, they are a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, having their own administration and parliamentary structure. The climate is tropical-maritime, characterized by warm temperatures, high humidity, and distinct wet and dry seasons. Economically, the Cook Islands are heavily geared towards services, tourism, and fishing, with agriculture and small trade playing a complementary role. Foreign trade is limited, and the country is highly dependent on imports, particularly for food, fuel, and consumer goods. Logistically, the islands have several ports and an international airport that provide important transit functions for regional shipping and air traffic. The currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD), supporting economic stability and international trade transactions. Due to the geographical location and limited production capacities, integration into regional supply chains and maritime routes is central to supply and trade. The Cook Islands combine natural appeal for tourism with strategic importance for Pacific trade.

**Top Import Partners:** NZ, AU, CN, US, JP

**Top Export Partners:** NZ, JP, AU, US, CN

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

**Top Export Goods:** Fisch, Perlen, Landwirtschaftliche Produkte, Dienstleistungen

**Key Airports:**
- [Rarotonga International Airport (RAR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/rarotonga-international-airport-rar)
- [Aitutaki Airport (AIT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aitutaki-airport-ait)
- [Enua Airport (AIU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/enua-airport-aiu)
- [Mangaia Island Airport (MGS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mangaia-island-airport-mgs)
- [Manihiki Island Airport (MHX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/manihiki-island-airport-mhx)
- [Manuae Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/manuae-airport-20217)
- [Mauke Airport (MUK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mauke-airport-muk)
- [Mitiaro Island Airport (MOI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mitiaro-island-airport-moi)
- [Pukapuka Island Airport (PZK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/pukapuka-island-airport-pzk)
- [Tongareva Airport (PYE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/tongareva-airport-pye)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** VAT 15 Prozent  
**Customs complexity:** niedrig bis mittel  
**Customs system:** Verzollung über das ASYCUDA-World-Onlinesystem der Cook Islands Customs Service; Einfuhrdeklaration durch lizenzierte Zollagenten oder Declaranten.  
**Customs authority:** [Cook Islands Customs Service (MFEM)](https://www.mfem.gov.ck/customs)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Pazifik-Insellogistik, stark importabhängig (Transit über Neuseeland)  
**Economic area:** PICTA / PACER Plus  
**Logistics risk:** mittel  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** niedrig  
**Pharma/cold chain:** niedrig bis mittel

## FAQ

### Welches Zollsystem nutzen die Cookinseln?

Die Cook Islands Customs Service wickelt Ein- und Ausfuhren über das Onlinesystem ASYCUDA World ab. Deklarationen reichen lizenzierte Zollagenten oder Declaranten ein.

### Wie hoch ist die Einfuhrsteuer (VAT)?

Die VAT beträgt 15 Prozent. Einfuhr-VAT und Zoll fallen erst ab einem Sendungswert von über 750 NZD an; darunter ist die Sendung abgabenfrei.

### Welche Währung gilt auf den Cookinseln?

Gesetzliches Zahlungsmittel ist der Neuseeland-Dollar (NZD). Zusätzlich sind eigene Cook-Islands-Münzen im Umlauf, die 1:1 an den NZD gekoppelt sind.

### Über welche Häfen und Flughäfen läuft die Fracht?

Der Seefrachtverkehr läuft fast vollständig über Avatiu Harbour auf Rarotonga (rund 90 Prozent der Importe). Luftfracht wird über den Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) abgewickelt.

### Welche Waren sind verboten oder genehmigungspflichtig?

Verboten sind unter anderem Waffen, illegale Drogen und anstössige Publikationen. Medikamente sind genehmigungspflichtig; Alkohol und Tabak über der Freimenge müssen verzollt werden.

### Gibt es Freihandelsabkommen für Exporte?

Ja. Die Cookinseln sind Vertragspartei von PICTA und PACER Plus. Für PICTA ist ein Cook Islands Certificate of Origin nötig, für PACER Plus genügt eine Ursprungserklärung des Exporteurs.

### Welche saisonalen Risiken bestehen?

Im Südpazifik herrscht von November bis April Zyklonsaison. In dieser Zeit kann es zu Verzögerungen bei See- und Luftfracht kommen.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.mfem.gov.ck/customs](https://www.mfem.gov.ck/customs)
- [https://www.mfem.gov.ck/importing](https://www.mfem.gov.ck/importing)
- [https://www.mfem.gov.ck/exporting](https://www.mfem.gov.ck/exporting)
- [https://www.cookislands.gov.ck/images/documents/RMD_Docs/Resources/Guides/RM206_Value-Added-Tax-Guide_VAT.pdf](https://www.cookislands.gov.ck/images/documents/RMD_Docs/Resources/Guides/RM206_Value-Added-Tax-Guide_VAT.pdf)
- [https://www.fsc.gov.ck/cookIslandsFscApp/content/Sanctions](https://www.fsc.gov.ck/cookIslandsFscApp/content/Sanctions)
- [https://stats.gov.ck/2021-census-of-population-and-dwellings/](https://stats.gov.ck/2021-census-of-population-and-dwellings/)
- [https://www.transport.gov.ck/freight/](https://www.transport.gov.ck/freight/)

*Last verified: 2026-06-22*

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

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