# Guyana (GY)

**Capital:** Georgetown  
**Currency:** Guyanese dollar (GYD) (GYD)  
**Population:** 831,087 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 214,969 km²

> Guyana, on South America's north coast, is one of the world's fastest-growing economies thanks to the offshore oil boom in the Stabroek block. Its main seaport, Port Georgetown on the Demerara River, has limited depth that restricts larger vessels; a deep-water port in Berbice is under construction. Air cargo runs through Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Guyana is a CARICOM member, levies 14 percent import VAT and clears customs electronically via ASYCUDA World.

Guyana (ISO code: GY) lies on the northern coast of South America, bordering Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, with an Atlantic coastline. It is a parliamentary republic with a tropical climate and two rainy seasons. Once reliant on sugar, rice, gold and bauxite, the economy has been transformed since 2019 by large offshore oil discoveries in the Stabroek block, making Guyana one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Foreign trade is vital and the country remains heavily dependent on imports of food, fuel and manufactured goods. Port Georgetown on the Demerara River and Cheddi Jagan International Airport are the main gateways, while a new deep-water port in Berbice is under construction. The currency is the Guyanese dollar (GYD).

**Top Import Partners:** US, CN, TT, BR, CU

**Top Export Partners:** US, AE, CA, TT, CN

**Top Import Goods:** mineral oils, machinery, vehicles, electronic devices, food

**Top Export Goods:** crude oil, gold, aluminium, sugar, rice

**Key Airports:**
- [Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cheddi-jagan-international-airport-geo)
- [Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/eugene-f-correira-international-airport-ogl)
- [Kaieteur International Airport (KAI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kaieteur-international-airport-kai)
- [Lethem Airport (LTM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/lethem-airport-ltm)
- [Aishalton Airport (AHL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aishalton-airport-ahl)
- [Annai Airport (NAI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/annai-airport-nai)
- [Apoteri Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/apoteri-airport-1396)
- [Awaruwaunau Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/awaruwaunau-airport-2072)
- [Baganara Airport.](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/baganara-airport-airport-2516)
- [Baiabu Airstrip](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/baiabu-airstrip-airport-2308)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** 14 percent VAT on CIF value plus import duties and other charges (GRA)  
**Customs complexity:** medium  
**Customs system:** Electronic customs clearance via ASYCUDA World of the GRA; import declaration as e-SAD (IM4 for release for free circulation) by the importer or a customs agent.  
**Customs authority:** [Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) - Customs and Trade Administration](https://www.gra.gov.gy)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Oil exporter / emerging commodities hub  
**Economic area:** CARICOM / CSME  
**Logistics risk:** medium to high  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium to high  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### What is the import tax (VAT) in Guyana?

Guyana levies 14 percent VAT on the CIF value plus import duties and other charges. VAT registration is mandatory once turnover reaches 15 million GYD over twelve months; certain goods such as renewable energy technology are exempt.

### Which customs system does Guyana use?

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) handles imports and exports electronically via ASYCUDA World. Importers or customs agents submit an electronic declaration (e-SAD; IM4 for home consumption) together with supporting documents; duties can be paid online through partner banks.

### What is Guyana's most important port?

Port Georgetown on the Demerara is the main port, but due to shallow water and silting it is limited to ships of up to around 20'000 tonnes. A deep-water port (9 to 10 metres depth) is being built in Berbice for larger ships.

### Which trade agreements apply to Guyana?

Guyana is a member of CARICOM and the CSME single market, with a common external tariff (CET, usually 5 to 20 percent, up to 40 percent for certain agricultural goods). In addition, the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and the CARIFORUM-UK EPA provide duty-free and quota-free market access.

### Are there sanctions or export controls against Guyana?

There are no comprehensive sanctions against Guyana. The country is a UN member and implements UN sanctions, without its own autonomous list. For re-exports of US-origin goods, US EAR/BIS and OFAC requirements must be observed.

### What risks exist for supply chains to Guyana?

The main risk is the unresolved Essequibo territorial dispute with Venezuela, which is being heard before the ICJ. In addition, there are limited port capacities, silting of the Demerara, two rainy seasons with flood risk and oil-related bottlenecks.

### Which currency applies in Guyana?

The legal tender is the Guyana dollar (GYD). US dollars are widely used for international business, particularly in the oil and commodities sector.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.gra.gov.gy](https://www.gra.gov.gy)
- [https://www.gra.gov.gy/tax-services/vat-services/how-to-calculate-vat/](https://www.gra.gov.gy/tax-services/vat-services/how-to-calculate-vat/)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/guyana-import-tariffs](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/guyana-import-tariffs)
- [https://gra.gov.gy/asycuda/](https://gra.gov.gy/asycuda/)
- [https://www.gra.gov.gy/business/customs-and-trade/imports/](https://www.gra.gov.gy/business/customs-and-trade/imports/)
- [https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-cariforum-economic-partnership-agreement](https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-cariforum-economic-partnership-agreement)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/guyana-trade-agreements](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/guyana-trade-agreements)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/guyana-prohibited-and-restricted-imports](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/guyana-prohibited-and-restricted-imports)

*Last verified: 2026-06-23*

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

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