Country profile
Guam
GU · GUMAs of: 6/23/2026US outlying area / Pacific logistics hub
Guam is a US outlying area in the western Pacific and an important logistics and military hub of Micronesia. The island has its own customs regime outside the US CBP customs territory, administered by the Customs and Quarantine Agency. There is no VAT; a 4 per cent use tax applies to imports for own consumption, while goods for resale are subject to the Business Privilege Tax. The Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port in Apra Harbor handles over 90 per cent of imports; Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport is a regional air cargo hub. The main risks are the strong import dependence and the typhoon season.
Overview
Guam (ISO code: GU) is an island in the western Pacific and the easternmost U.S. territory, about 3,500 km east of the Philippines. It belongs to the United States but has its own local government and elected legislature. The climate is tropical-maritime with a distinct rainy and typhoon season. The economy is dominated by services, especially tourism, trade, public administration and the U.S. military, supplemented by limited agriculture and fishing. Foreign trade is heavily import-dependent (food, fuel, electronics, consumer goods), while exports remain limited. The currency is the U.S. dollar. As a logistics gateway between Asia and the Pacific, Guam relies on Apra Harbor and Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport for cargo, supply and military logistics.
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA)Import system
Own customs regime of the CQA outside the US CBP customs territory; declaration with commercial invoice and goods declaration, use tax collected on arrival.
Export system
Traffic to the USA is treated as domestic traffic (no CBP); for third countries, US export law applies via AES. CQA checks quarantine and export clearance.
Import VAT
- No VAT
- 4 per cent use tax on imports for own consumption (goods value plus freight), collected by the CQA. Goods for resale are subject to the Business Privilege Tax.
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Import permit (agriculture)
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- AES filing (third countries)
Origin proofs / FTA
Guam has no free trade agreements of its own; preferential origin follows US trade agreements. Locally, only the CQA's own customs regime applies, without preferential duties.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Prohibited: drugs, counterfeit goods, obscene material, adulterated food and medicine. Restricted: plants, fruit, vegetables (quarantine), firearms, watercraft.
Export controls & sanctions
As a US outlying area, US export controls (EAR/BIS) and OFAC sanctions apply in full.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Rest) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments. Depending on the destination (Oceania, Middle East, or other regions), steps, pre-filings and documents may differ.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Transport documents (AWB / Bill of Lading) depending on mode
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Common pitfalls
- Vague description or missing HS codes → delays and clarifications
- Incoterms unclear: who clears customs/pays charges?
- Incomplete origin data → preferential treatment may not apply
- Inconsistent documents (invoice vs packing list vs shipment data)
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Cargo airports
- Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM)
Seaports / access ports
- Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port (Apra Harbor)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Marine Corps Drive (Route 1)
Top trade lanes
- US mainland (US West Coast) - Guam
- Asia (Japan, Korea, Philippines) - Guam
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
High import dependence and island location; bottlenecks possible when ships call at port. Severe typhoons (e.g. Mawar 2023) can paralyse port and airport for days.
Seasonal & weather risks
Typhoon season mainly from July to November; tropical cyclones with storm surge and heavy rain can interrupt handling and supply.
Current logistics notes
Apra Harbor handles over 90 per cent of imports (Matson); breakwater repairs after Typhoon Mawar are ongoing. Business Privilege Tax falls to 4 per cent from 1.10.2026.
As of: 2026-06-23
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Latest News
No news for this country yet.
View all news →Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- census.gov
- cqa.guam.gov
- guamtax.com
- portofguam.com
- guamcourts.gov
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Is Guam part of the U.S. customs territory?
No. Guam lies outside the U.S. CBP customs territory and operates its own customs regime administered by the Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA).
What import tax applies in Guam?
There is no VAT. Goods for own use are subject to a 4 percent use tax on value plus freight; resale merchandise is instead subject to the business privilege tax.
How high is the business privilege tax?
The business privilege tax (gross receipts tax) is currently 5 percent and is being rolled back to 4 percent effective 1 October 2026.
Which documents are required to import into Guam?
Typically a commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill, packing list and certificate of origin are required; plants and agricultural goods also need an import permit from the Department of Agriculture.
Which ports and airports handle cargo?
Ocean freight runs through the Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port in Apra Harbor (over 90 percent of imports), air freight through Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM).
Do U.S. export controls and sanctions apply?
Yes. As a U.S. territory, Guam is fully subject to U.S. export controls (EAR/BIS) and OFAC sanctions programs.
What seasonal risks exist?
The typhoon season runs mainly from July to November. Severe storms such as Typhoon Mawar in 2023 can shut down the port and airport for days and disrupt supply.
Which trade partners are important for Guam?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Guam?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
Matching tools and partners