# Portugal (PT) **Capital:** Lisbon **Currency:** Euro (EUR) (EUR) **Population:** 11,424,031 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 92,090 km² > Portugal is an EU and eurozone member on the Iberian Atlantic coast and a key gateway between Europe, Africa and the Americas. The deep-water port of Sines is the country's largest port and a major transhipment and energy hub (containers, oil, LNG), complemented by Leixoes, Lisbon and Setubal. Customs clearance is fully electronic via the AT systems STADA-Importacao and AES under the EU Customs Code. The standard mainland VAT (IVA) rate is 23 percent. Portugal (PT) sits on the Iberian Atlantic coast and, as an EU member, acts as an Atlantic gateway and transhipment hub between Europe, Africa and the Americas. The country is part of the EU customs union and the eurozone; customs clearance runs electronically through the AT systems STADA-Importação (import) and AES/STADA-Exportação (export), and mainland import VAT (IVA) is 23 percent (reduced 13/6; Madeira 22/12/5, Azores 16/9/4). The main gateways are the deep-water port of Sines (containers, oil, LNG) plus Leixões, Lisbon and Setúbal, and for air cargo Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO) and Faro (FAO). Key corridors are the A1 Lisbon–Porto, the A6 and A25 towards Spain and the TEN-T Atlantic corridor with the Sines–Elvas/Badajoz freight rail axis. Main exports are vehicles and parts, machinery, textiles and wine; the top trading partners are Spain, France and Germany. **Top Import Partners:** ES, DE, FR, IT, NL **Top Export Partners:** ES, FR, DE, GB, US **Top Import Goods:** Vehicles, Crude oil, Machinery, Chemicals, Food **Top Export Goods:** Vehicles, Textiles, Machinery, Chemicals, Wine **Key Airports:** - [Faro Airport (FAO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/faro-airport-fao) - [Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/francisco-de-sa-carneiro-airport-opo) - [João Paulo II Airport (PDL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/joao-paulo-ii-airport-pdl) - [Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/lisbon-humberto-delgado-airport-lis) - [Madeira International Airport Cristiano Ronaldo (FNC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/madeira-international-airport-cristiano-ronaldo-airport-fnc) - [Aerodromo Goncalves Lobato (Viseu Airport) (VSE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aerodromo-goncalves-lobato-viseu-airport-airport-vse) - [Aerodromo Municipal de Coimbra](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aerodromo-municipal-de-coimbra-airport-lpco) - [Aerodromo de Castelo Branco](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aerodromo-de-castelo-branco-airport-5880) - [Aeródromo Municipal de Ponte de Sor](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aerodromo-municipal-de-ponte-de-sor-airport-26599) - [Alverca Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/alverca-air-base-airport-lpar) **Key Seaports:** - [Funchal (PT FNC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/funchal-port-pt-fnc) - [Lagos (PT LOS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/lagos-port-pt-los) - [Lisboa (PT LIS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/lisboa-port-pt-lis) - [Porto De Leixoes (PT LEI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/porto-de-leixoes-port-pt-lei) - [Aveiro (PT AVE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/aveiro-port-pt-ave) - [Sines (PT SIE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/sines-port-pt-sie) - [Horta (PT HOR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/horta-port-pt-hor) - [Ponta Delgada (PT PDL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ponta-delgada-port-pt-pdl) - [Setubal (PT SET)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/setubal-port-pt-set) - [Viana Do Castelo (PT VDC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/viana-do-castelo-port-pt-vdc) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Mainland IVA: standard rate 23 percent, reduced rates 13 and 6 percent. Madeira 22/12/5 percent, Azores 16/9/4 percent. **Customs complexity:** low **Customs system:** STADA-Importação: electronic import declaration of the AT under the EU Customs Code (UZK) with TARIC and ICS2. **Customs authority:** [Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT)](https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Atlantic gateway / transhipment hub (Sines) **Economic area:** EU (single market and customs union) **Logistics risk:** low **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium to high **Pharma/cold chain:** medium ## FAQ ### What import VAT (IVA) applies in Portugal? On the mainland the standard rate is 23 percent, with reduced rates of 13 and 6 percent. Madeira applies 22, 12 and 5 percent, the Azores 16, 9 and 4 percent. ### Which customs authority is responsible and how do you file? The Autoridade Tributaria e Aduaneira (AT) is responsible. Imports are filed electronically via STADA-Importacao and exports via AES / STADA-Exportacao. ### Is Portugal part of the EU customs union? Yes. Portugal has been an EU member since 1986. Goods move freely within the single market; the common EU external tariff and TARIC apply to third countries. ### Which is Portugal's most important port? Sines is the country's largest port, a deep-water facility and a major transhipment and energy hub (containers, oil, LNG). Other key ports are Leixoes, Lisbon and Setubal. ### Which airports matter for air cargo? The main cargo airports are Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS), Porto Francisco Sa Carneiro (OPO) and Faro (FAO), all operated by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal. ### Which documents are required for import and export? Typically a commercial invoice, packing list, electronic customs or export declaration, EORI number, transport document (B/L, AWB or CMR) and, for preferential trade, proof of origin (EUR.1 or origin declaration). ### Does Portugal offer special location advantages for logistics and trade? Yes. The Atlantic location makes Sines a gateway for transhipment between Europe, Africa and the Americas. In addition, the International Business Centre of Madeira (free trade zone) offers tax advantages. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt](https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt) - [https://www2.gov.pt/cidadaos-europeus-viajar-viver-e-fazer-negocios-em-portugal/impostos-para-atividades-economicas-em-portugal/imposto-sobre-valor-acrescentado-iva-em-portugal](https://www2.gov.pt/cidadaos-europeus-viajar-viver-e-fazer-negocios-em-portugal/impostos-para-atividades-economicas-em-portugal/imposto-sobre-valor-acrescentado-iva-em-portugal) - [https://info-aduaneiro.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/pt/informacao_aduaneira/stada_importacao_de/Pages/stada-importacao-de.aspx](https://info-aduaneiro.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/pt/informacao_aduaneira/stada_importacao_de/Pages/stada-importacao-de.aspx) - [https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/at/html/index.html](https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/at/html/index.html) - [https://www.ine.pt](https://www.ine.pt) - [https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/porto-de-sines/o-porto/terminais-portuarios/tcs-terminal-de-contentores-de-sines/](https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/porto-de-sines/o-porto/terminais-portuarios/tcs-terminal-de-contentores-de-sines/) - [https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc24/comunicacao/noticia?i=portos-movimentam-88-milhoes-de-toneladas-em-2024-e-registam-crescimento-de-6](https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc24/comunicacao/noticia?i=portos-movimentam-88-milhoes-de-toneladas-em-2024-e-registam-crescimento-de-6) - [https://www.portosdeportugal.pt](https://www.portosdeportugal.pt) *Last verified: 2026-07-19* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pt](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pt)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/pt](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/pt)*