Guinea-Bissau
GW · GNB
As of: 6/23/2026
Cashew-Exporteur / Atlantik-Hafenland Westafrika
Capital: Bissau
ECOWAS / UEMOASeeStrasseLuftImport VAT: IVA seit 1.1.2025: Normalsatz 19 Prozent, ermässigter Satz 10 Prozent (u.a. Grundnahrungsmittel, Medikamente)Customs: hochRisk: hochPharma/Cold Chain: niedrigDangerous Goods: niedrigE-Commerce: niedrig
Overview
Guinea-Bissau (ISO code: GW) lies in West Africa on the Atlantic Ocean, bordering Senegal and Guinea. It is a presidential republic with fragile institutions and recurring governance and security challenges. The climate is tropical, with humid coastal zones, inland savannah and pronounced rainy and dry seasons. Agriculture is central to the economy, especially cashew nuts, fisheries and subsistence farming, while industry and services remain limited. Foreign trade is heavily focused on cashew nut and fish exports, while the country depends strongly on imports of food, fuel and manufactured goods. The Port of Bissau anchors the country's transit and logistics function despite infrastructure constraints. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro. Guinea-Bissau is a member of ECOWAS and UEMOA, and as a least developed country enjoys duty-free access to the EU market.
Mentioned countries
Area36,125 km²
Population2,201,352
CurrencyCFA-Franc (BCEAO) (XOF)
Economic areaECOWAS / UEMOA
ContinentAfrika
ReligionsIslam, Christentum
ISO codeGW / GNB
Customs & Import/Export
Import system
ASYCUDAWorld der DGA, landesweit produktiv seit 26.1.2026 (Ablösung von ASYCUDA++); angebunden u.a. Hafen Bissau, Flughafen OXB sowie São Domingos, Gabú und Bafatá.
Export system
Ausfuhrabwicklung ebenfalls über ASYCUDAWorld der DGA; in der Praxis ist ein zugelassener Zollagent (despachante) erforderlich.
Import VAT
- IVA seit 1.1.2025: Normalsatz 19 Prozent, ermässigter Satz 10 Prozent (u.a. Grundnahrungsmittel, Medikamente)
- Exporte steuerbefreit. Einfuhr-IVA wird beim Import erhoben (DGCI/DGA).
Customs complexityhoch
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Frachtbrief/Konnossement (B/L)
- Einfuhrzollanmeldung (ASYCUDAWorld)
- Ursprungszeugnis
Export documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Konnossement (B/L)
- Ausfuhrzollanmeldung
- ECOWAS-/REX-Ursprungsnachweis
- Phytosanitäres Zeugnis (Cashew/Fisch)
Origin proofs / FTA
Im Regionalhandel ECOWAS-/UEMOA-Ursprungszeugnis; für den EU-Markt als am wenigsten entwickeltes Land zoll- und quotenfreier Zugang (Everything But Arms) mit Ursprungsnachweis REX.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Beschränkt/verboten u.a. Waffen, Munition, Betäubungsmittel, geschütztes Tropenholz (Rosenholz/Pterocarpus) und CITES-Arten; Ausfuhr unverarbeiteter Cashew teils reguliert.
Export controls & sanctions
Keine aktiven EU-Personenlistungen mehr (alle Einträge bis 22.9.2025 gestrichen, VO 377/2012 nicht aufgehoben); UN-Reisesperren einzelner Personen (Res. 2048/2012).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Africa) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Africa. Documentation, pre-clearance and local clearance steps can vary a lot by destination.
Documents (typical)
Process (simplified)
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
- Aeroporto Internacional Osvaldo Vieira (OXB), Bissau
Seaports / access ports
- Porto de Bissau (Pidjiguiti)
- Cacheu
- Buba (Projekt, Bauxitexport)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Bissau–São Domingos–Ziguinchor (Senegal)
- Bissau–Gabú–Conakry (Guinea)
- Bissau–Bafatá–Senegal Ost
Top trade lanes
- Bissau–Lissabon/Europa
- Bissau–Dakar (Senegal)
- Cashew: Bissau–Indien/Vietnam
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskhoch
Customs delay riskhoch
Port congestion riskmittel bis hoch
Risk notes
Politische Instabilität, schwache Zoll- und Hafeninfrastruktur, historisch lange Importlaufzeiten (~25 Tage), Tidenabhängigkeit und begrenzter Tiefgang im Hafen Bissau.
Seasonal & weather risks
Tropische Regenzeit Juni bis Oktober mit Starkregen und erschwertem Strassentransport; Trockenzeit November bis Mai. Cashew-Ernte etwa April bis Juni prägt die Exportspitzen.
Current logistics notes
Zollmodernisierung: ASYCUDAWorld seit Januar 2026 landesweit produktiv. Flughafen OXB wird ausgebaut (neues Cargo-Terminal rund 1'000 Tonnen pro Jahr). Hafen Bissau mit Tiefgangslimit.
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
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Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-06-23
Official sources
- alfandegas.mef.gw
- dgci.mef.gw
- asycuda.org
- data.worldbank.org
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
What import tax applies in Guinea-Bissau?
Since 1 January 2025 a value added tax (IVA) applies, with a standard rate of 19 percent and a reduced rate of 10 percent (including basic foods and medicines). It is levied on imports too; exports are exempt.
Which system handles customs clearance?
The Directorate-General of Customs (DGA) has processed imports and exports via ASYCUDAWorld since 26 January 2026 (replacing ASYCUDA++), connected to the Port of Bissau and OXB airport among others.
Which ports and airports are relevant?
The main seaport is Porto de Bissau (Pidjiguiti) on the Geba River, with limited draught. International air cargo runs through Osvaldo Vieira Airport (OXB) near Bissau.
Which currency is used?
Guinea-Bissau uses the West African CFA franc (XOF) issued by the BCEAO, fixed to the euro (1 euro = 655.957 XOF). The country is a member of UEMOA.
Are there sanctions against Guinea-Bissau?
There are no active EU listings of persons anymore; the last entries were removed by 22 September 2025, though the legal framework (Reg. 377/2012) remains. The UN maintains travel bans on certain individuals (Resolution 2048/2012).
What does Guinea-Bissau mainly export?
The main export goods are cashew nuts (by far the largest item), fish and seafood, plus timber and groundnuts. Imports are mainly fuel, food and manufactured goods.
What free-trade advantages does the country offer?
Regional trade follows ECOWAS and UEMOA rules of origin. As a least developed country, Guinea-Bissau has duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market under the Everything But Arms scheme with REX proof of origin.
Which trade partners are important for Guinea-Bissau?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Guinea-Bissau?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
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