# Guinea-Bissau (GW) **Capital:** Bissau **Currency:** CFA franc (BCEAO) (XOF) (XOF) **Population:** 2,201,352 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 36,125 km² > Guinea-Bissau is a small West African Atlantic country and a member of ECOWAS and UEMOA, using the euro-pegged CFA franc (XOF). Foreign trade runs almost entirely through the Port of Bissau and Osvaldo Vieira Airport (OXB). A value added tax (IVA) of 19 percent (reduced 10 percent) has applied since January 2025, and customs clearance has run on the DGA's ASYCUDAWorld system since January 2026. Cashew nuts and fish dominate exports, while fuel and food are imported. Weak infrastructure, political instability and long import lead times shape its logistics. Guinea-Bissau (ISO code: GW) lies in West Africa on the Atlantic Ocean, bordering Senegal and Guinea. It is a presidential republic with fragile institutions and recurring governance and security challenges. The climate is tropical, with humid coastal zones, inland savannah and pronounced rainy and dry seasons. Agriculture is central to the economy, especially cashew nuts, fisheries and subsistence farming, while industry and services remain limited. Foreign trade is heavily focused on cashew nut and fish exports, while the country depends strongly on imports of food, fuel and manufactured goods. The Port of Bissau anchors the country's transit and logistics function despite infrastructure constraints. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro. Guinea-Bissau is a member of ECOWAS and UEMOA, and as a least developed country enjoys duty-free access to the EU market. **Top Import Partners:** SN, PT, CN, NL, FR **Top Export Partners:** IN, VN, PT, CN, ES **Top Import Goods:** Petroleum products, Food, Machinery, Vehicles, Construction materials **Top Export Goods:** Cashew nuts, Fish, Groundnuts, Timber **Key Airports:** - [Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/osvaldo-vieira-international-airport-oxb) - [Bafatá Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bafata-airport-2255) - [Bubaque Airport (BQE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bubaque-airport-bqe) - [Cufar Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cufar-airport-ggcf) - [Gabu Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gabu-airport-11304) - [Piche Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/piche-airport-26062) - [Quebo Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/quebo-airport-27501) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** VAT since 1.1.2025: standard rate 19 percent, reduced rate 10 percent (including basic foodstuffs and medicines) **Customs complexity:** High **Customs system:** ASYCUDAWorld of the DGA, nationwide in operation since 26.1.2026 (replacing ASYCUDA++); connected, among others, to the port of Bissau, OXB airport and São Domingos, Gabú and Bafatá. **Customs authority:** [Direção-Geral das Alfândegas (DGA), Ministry of Economy and Finance](https://alfandegas.mef.gw) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Cashew exporter / Atlantic port country in West Africa **Economic area:** ECOWAS / UEMOA **Logistics risk:** High **Dangerous goods relevance:** low **Pharma/cold chain:** low ## FAQ ### What import tax applies in Guinea-Bissau? Since 1 January 2025 a value added tax (IVA) applies, with a standard rate of 19 percent and a reduced rate of 10 percent (including basic foods and medicines). It is levied on imports too; exports are exempt. ### Which system handles customs clearance? The Directorate-General of Customs (DGA) has processed imports and exports via ASYCUDAWorld since 26 January 2026 (replacing ASYCUDA++), connected to the Port of Bissau and OXB airport among others. ### Which ports and airports are relevant? The main seaport is Porto de Bissau (Pidjiguiti) on the Geba River, with limited draught. International air cargo runs through Osvaldo Vieira Airport (OXB) near Bissau. ### Which currency is used? Guinea-Bissau uses the West African CFA franc (XOF) issued by the BCEAO, fixed to the euro (1 euro = 655.957 XOF). The country is a member of UEMOA. ### Are there sanctions against Guinea-Bissau? There are no active EU listings of persons anymore; the last entries were removed by 22 September 2025, though the legal framework (Reg. 377/2012) remains. The UN maintains travel bans on certain individuals (Resolution 2048/2012). ### What does Guinea-Bissau mainly export? The main export goods are cashew nuts (by far the largest item), fish and seafood, plus timber and groundnuts. Imports are mainly fuel, food and manufactured goods. ### What free-trade advantages does the country offer? Regional trade follows ECOWAS and UEMOA rules of origin. As a least developed country, Guinea-Bissau has duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market under the Everything But Arms scheme with REX proof of origin. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://alfandegas.mef.gw](https://alfandegas.mef.gw) - [https://alfandegas.mef.gw/imposto-sobre-valor-acrescentado-iva/](https://alfandegas.mef.gw/imposto-sobre-valor-acrescentado-iva/) - [https://asycuda.org/en/guinea-bissau-launches-asycudaworld-to-strengthen-customs-digitalization/](https://asycuda.org/en/guinea-bissau-launches-asycudaworld-to-strengthen-customs-digitalization/) - [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=GW](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=GW) *Last verified: 2026-06-23* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/gw](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/gw)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/gw](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/gw)*