# Liberia (LR)

**Capital:** Monrovia  
**Currency:** Liberian dollar (LRD) (LRD)  
**Population:** 5,248,621 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 111,369 km²

> Liberia is a West African coastal state and raw materials exporter (iron ore, rubber, gold, tropical timber). The Freeport of Monrovia is the most important transhipment hub; customs clearance runs through ASYCUDA World of the Liberia Revenue Authority. As an ECOWAS member, the common external tariff applies.

Liberia (ISO code: LR) lies on the West African Atlantic coast, bordering Sierra Leone, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire. It is a presidential republic with a tropical climate and pronounced rainy and dry seasons. The economy relies on commodities, especially iron ore, rubber, gold and timber, with the Freeport of Monrovia as the central export gateway. Foreign trade is dominated by raw materials and agricultural goods, while the country depends heavily on imports of fuel, machinery and food. Customs are handled by the Liberia Revenue Authority through ASYCUDA World, and as an ECOWAS member Liberia applies the common external tariff. The currency is the Liberian dollar (LRD), with the US dollar widely used in trade. Liberia also hosts one of the world's largest open ship registries.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, US, BE, KR, NL

**Top Export Partners:** CN, FR, DE, NL, IN

**Top Import Goods:** Petroleum products, Machinery, Vehicles, Food, Chemicals

**Top Export Goods:** Iron ore, Natural rubber, Gold, Timber, Palm oil

**Key Airports:**
- [Roberts International Airport (ROB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/roberts-international-airport-rob)
- [Spriggs Payne Airport (MLW)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/spriggs-payne-airport-mlw)
- [Bella Yella Airport (BYL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bella-yella-airport-byl)
- [Buchanan Airport (UCN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/buchanan-airport-ucn)
- [Butaw Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/butaw-airport-4930)
- [Cape Palmas Airport (CPA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cape-palmas-airport-cpa)
- [Foya Airport (FOY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/foya-airport-foy)
- [Gbarnga Airfield](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gbarnga-airport-11571)
- [Gozohn Camp Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gozohn-camp-airport-12192)
- [Grand Cess Airport (GRC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/grand-cess-airport-grc)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** GST on imported goods 7 percent (services 13, telecom 15 percent)  
**Customs complexity:** medium to high  
**Customs system:** Electronic customs processing via ASYCUDA World; import declarations submitted by registered importers or licensed customs agents. ECOWAS-CET as common external tariff.  
**Customs authority:** [Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Customs Department](https://revenue.lra.gov.lr)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Raw materials exporter / West African coastal port  
**Economic area:** ECOWAS  
**Logistics risk:** medium to high  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** low to medium

## FAQ

### Which import duties apply in Liberia?

ECOWAS-CET duties apply depending on the type of goods, plus GST of 7 percent on goods and other fees such as the ECOWAS levy and a container tracking fee.

### Which value added tax does Liberia have?

Currently a GST applies (goods 7 percent, services 13 percent, telecommunications 15 percent). A value added tax (VAT) of 18 percent is planned for 2027, registration from 1 July 2026.

### Through which system does customs clearance run?

Customs processing is carried out electronically via ASYCUDA World of the Liberia Revenue Authority; declarations are submitted by registered importers or licensed customs agents.

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

The Freeport of Monrovia is the largest port and has been operated by APM Terminals since 2011. Other ports are Buchanan, Greenville and Harper.

### Which goods does Liberia mainly export?

The main export goods are iron ore, natural rubber, gold, tropical timber and palm oil. Rough diamonds may only be exported with a Kimberley Process certificate.

### Which currency is used in trade?

The official currency is the Liberian dollar (LRD); in trade, the US dollar is widely used, so a dual-currency system effectively exists.

### Are there sanctions against Liberia?

The UN sanctions and arms embargo against Liberia were fully lifted in 2016 by Resolution 2288. Currently, there is no UN sanctions regime against the country.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://revenue.lra.gov.lr/customs-fact-sheet/](https://revenue.lra.gov.lr/customs-fact-sheet/)
- [https://revenue.lra.gov.lr](https://revenue.lra.gov.lr)
- [https://revenue.lra.gov.lr/important-revenue-noticeadjustment-to-goods-and-services-tax-gst-rates/](https://revenue.lra.gov.lr/important-revenue-noticeadjustment-to-goods-and-services-tax-gst-rates/)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/liberia-import-tariffs](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/liberia-import-tariffs)
- [https://www.npa.gov.lr/port-services-sea-ports](https://www.npa.gov.lr/port-services-sea-ports)
- [https://npa.gov.lr/index.php/operations/freeport-of-monrovia/item/43-overview-of-the-authority](https://npa.gov.lr/index.php/operations/freeport-of-monrovia/item/43-overview-of-the-authority)
- [https://liberia.un.org/en/220493-liberia-announces-provisional-results-its-5th-national-population-and-housing-census](https://liberia.un.org/en/220493-liberia-announces-provisional-results-its-5th-national-population-and-housing-census)
- [https://www.vatcalc.com/liberia/liberia-looks-to-implement-vat/](https://www.vatcalc.com/liberia/liberia-looks-to-implement-vat/)

*Last verified: 2026-06-25*

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

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