# Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (VC) **Capital:** Kingstown **Currency:** East Caribbean dollar (XCD) (XCD) **Population:** 100,616 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 389 km² > Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a small island state in the eastern Caribbean and a member of CARICOM, OECS and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). Trade in goods is heavily dominated by sea freight and runs through the port of Kingstown, which reopened in October 2025 with a modernised cargo port. Air cargo is handled via Argyle International Airport. Imports are declared electronically via ASYCUDA World by licensed customs agents; import VAT of 16 percent applies, as well as the CARICOM Common External Tariff. The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (ISO code: VC) lies in the Eastern Caribbean and forms part of the Lesser Antilles, south of Saint Lucia and north of Grenada. It is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The climate is tropical, with consistently high temperatures, high humidity and a pronounced rainy season from June to November. The economy rests on agriculture, fisheries, tourism and services, while industry plays a limited role. Exports are dominated by bananas, other agricultural products and services, while the country relies heavily on imports of consumer goods, energy and industrial products. Logistically it is served by Argyle International Airport, the Port of Kingstown and a road network that secure freight and passenger movements and provide limited transit functions within the Eastern Caribbean. The national currency is the East Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged to the US dollar. Strategic investment focuses on infrastructure, sustainable tourism and logistics to strengthen competitiveness and regional connectivity. **Top Import Partners:** US, TT, CN, GB, CA **Top Export Partners:** US, TT, GB, GD, LC **Top Import Goods:** Food, Fuels, Consumer goods, Construction materials, Vehicles **Top Export Goods:** Bananas, Arrowroot, Fish, Services **Key Airports:** - [Argyle International Airport (SVD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/argyle-international-airport-svd) - [Canouan Airport (CIW)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/canouan-airport-ciw) - [J F Mitchell Airport (BQU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/j-f-mitchell-airport-bqu) - [Mustique Airport (MQS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mustique-airport-mqs) - [Union Island International Airport (UNI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/union-island-international-airport-uni) - [E T Joshua Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/e-t-joshua-airport-1649) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Import VAT 16 percent standard rate (since 1. May 2017) **Customs complexity:** medium **Customs system:** ASYCUDA World; electronic import declaration (CusDec) filed by a licensed customs agent with invoice and shipping documents. Customs Procedure Codes (CPC) control the procedure. **Customs authority:** [Customs and Excise Department, St. Vincent and the Grenadines](https://customs.gov.vc) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Small Caribbean island and import market (OECS/ECCU), heavily dominated by sea freight **Economic area:** CARICOM / OECS / CSME / ECCU **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** low to medium **Pharma/cold chain:** low to medium ## FAQ ### Which import tax applies in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines? A Value Added Tax (VAT) of 16 percent is levied on imports (standard rate since 1. May 2017). The hotel sector pays 11 percent, certain services 0 percent. VAT is due at the border together with import duty. ### How are imports declared for customs? The declaration is made electronically in the ASYCUDA World system, usually by a licensed customs agent, based on the commercial invoice, shipping documents and packing list. Customs Procedure Codes (CPC) determine the respective procedure. ### Which customs tariff applies to imports? Saint Vincent and the Grenadines apply the CARICOM Common External Tariff. Goods of CARICOM origin enjoy duty and levy concessions in the internal market if a valid proof of origin is presented. ### Through which ports and airports does freight traffic run? The most important sea port is Kingstown, which put a new modernised cargo port into operation in October 2025. Air cargo runs via Argyle International Airport (SVD) with a cargo terminal and cold storage; the Grenadines have smaller regional airports. ### Which currency is used? The national currency is the East Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged since 1976 to the US dollar at a rate of 2,70 XCD per US dollar. It is issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). ### Is there a free trade agreement with Switzerland or the EU? There is no free trade agreement with Switzerland or EFTA. Towards the EU the CARIFORUM EPA applies; within the regional internal market CARICOM and OECS preferences apply. ### Which logistics risks should be considered? As an island state, the country depends on sea freight and regional transshipment, with limited storage and cold storage capacity. The Atlantic hurricane season (June to November) can cause delays; the volcano La Soufriere (last eruption April 2021) remains a residual risk. ### Are there special import bans or restrictions? Restrictions apply, among others, to weapons and ammunition, narcotics and certain agricultural and food products (licence or permit required). There are no independent export control or sanctions regimes; UN sanctions are implemented. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://customs.gov.vc](https://customs.gov.vc) - [https://customs.gov.vc/faq](https://customs.gov.vc/faq) - [https://customs.gov.vc/general-calculator.php](https://customs.gov.vc/general-calculator.php) - [https://customs.gov.vc/downloads/asycuda-info.pdf](https://customs.gov.vc/downloads/asycuda-info.pdf) - [https://ird.gov.vc/index.php/taxes](https://ird.gov.vc/index.php/taxes) - [https://finance.gov.vc/finance/index.php/vat-unit-sp-271188927/publicity-documentation/value-added-tax-and-the-business-sector](https://finance.gov.vc/finance/index.php/vat-unit-sp-271188927/publicity-documentation/value-added-tax-and-the-business-sector) - [https://stats.gov.vc/census/](https://stats.gov.vc/census/) - [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=VC](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=VC) *Last verified: 2026-06-30* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/vc](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/vc)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/vc](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/vc)*