Country profile
Guyana
GY · GUYAs of: 6/23/2026Oil exporter / emerging commodities hub
Guyana, on South America's north coast, is one of the world's fastest-growing economies thanks to the offshore oil boom in the Stabroek block. Its main seaport, Port Georgetown on the Demerara River, has limited depth that restricts larger vessels; a deep-water port in Berbice is under construction. Air cargo runs through Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Guyana is a CARICOM member, levies 14 percent import VAT and clears customs electronically via ASYCUDA World.
Overview
Guyana (ISO code: GY) lies on the northern coast of South America, bordering Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, with an Atlantic coastline. It is a parliamentary republic with a tropical climate and two rainy seasons. Once reliant on sugar, rice, gold and bauxite, the economy has been transformed since 2019 by large offshore oil discoveries in the Stabroek block, making Guyana one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Foreign trade is vital and the country remains heavily dependent on imports of food, fuel and manufactured goods. Port Georgetown on the Demerara River and Cheddi Jagan International Airport are the main gateways, while a new deep-water port in Berbice is under construction. The currency is the Guyanese dollar (GYD).
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) - Customs and Trade AdministrationImport system
Electronic customs clearance via ASYCUDA World of the GRA; import declaration as e-SAD (IM4 for release for free circulation) by the importer or a customs agent.
Export system
Export declaration also electronic via ASYCUDA World (e-SAD) with the GRA; electronic payment of duties through partner banks is possible.
Import VAT
- 14 percent VAT on CIF value plus import duties and other charges (GRA)
- registration obligation from 15 million GYD turnover
- renewable energy technology and others exempt.
Import documents
- commercial invoice
- packing list
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- ASYCUDA import declaration (e-SAD)
- proof of origin
- import licence, if required
Export documents
- commercial invoice
- packing list
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- ASYCUDA export declaration (e-SAD)
- certificate of origin (EUR.1 / CARICOM)
Origin proofs / FTA
CARICOM certificate of origin for CSME preferences; EUR.1 or origin declaration under the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and CARIFORUM-UK EPA.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Import bans and restrictions, including for weapons, ammunition, narcotics and certain agricultural and food products; observe goods subject to licensing (GRA list).
Export controls & sanctions
Guyana is a UN member and implements UN sanctions; no independent autonomous sanctions list. For re-exports of US goods, observe US EAR/BIS and OFAC.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Americas) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to the Americas. Depending on the destination, additional security filings, product requirements, or broker processes may apply.
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
- Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO/SYCJ), Timehri
Seaports / access ports
- Port Georgetown (Demerara River)
- New Amsterdam Port (Berbice)
- Berbice Deep-Water Port (under construction)
Inland ports & terminals
- Linden (Demerara River)
- Parika (Essequibo River)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Georgetown-Linden Highway
- East Coast / East Bank Demerara Corridor
- Georgetown-Lethem Road (towards Brazil)
Top trade lanes
- Guyana-USA
- Guyana-Trinidad and Tobago
- Guyana-China
- Guyana-EU
- Guyana-Brazil
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
The main risk is the unresolved Essequibo territorial dispute with Venezuela (ICJ proceedings); in addition, limited port depths, heavy silting of the Demerara and capacity bottlenecks caused by the oil boom.
Seasonal & weather risks
Tropical climate with two rainy seasons (May–August and November–January); flood risk in the coastal lowlands, which partly lie below sea level and depend on dikes.
Current logistics notes
The offshore oil production in the Stabroek Block has triggered a boom in Guyana, with massive investment in ports, roads and a deep-water port in Berbice, as well as sharply rising freight volumes.
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
- data.worldbank.org
- gra.gov.gy
- trade.gov
- ec.europa.eu
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
What is the import tax (VAT) in Guyana?
Guyana levies 14 percent VAT on the CIF value plus import duties and other charges. VAT registration is mandatory once turnover reaches 15 million GYD over twelve months; certain goods such as renewable energy technology are exempt.
Which customs system does Guyana use?
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) handles imports and exports electronically via ASYCUDA World. Importers or customs agents submit an electronic declaration (e-SAD; IM4 for home consumption) together with supporting documents; duties can be paid online through partner banks.
What is Guyana's most important port?
Port Georgetown on the Demerara is the main port, but due to shallow water and silting it is limited to ships of up to around 20'000 tonnes. A deep-water port (9 to 10 metres depth) is being built in Berbice for larger ships.
Which trade agreements apply to Guyana?
Guyana is a member of CARICOM and the CSME single market, with a common external tariff (CET, usually 5 to 20 percent, up to 40 percent for certain agricultural goods). In addition, the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and the CARIFORUM-UK EPA provide duty-free and quota-free market access.
Are there sanctions or export controls against Guyana?
There are no comprehensive sanctions against Guyana. The country is a UN member and implements UN sanctions, without its own autonomous list. For re-exports of US-origin goods, US EAR/BIS and OFAC requirements must be observed.
What risks exist for supply chains to Guyana?
The main risk is the unresolved Essequibo territorial dispute with Venezuela, which is being heard before the ICJ. In addition, there are limited port capacities, silting of the Demerara, two rainy seasons with flood risk and oil-related bottlenecks.
Which currency applies in Guyana?
The legal tender is the Guyana dollar (GYD). US dollars are widely used for international business, particularly in the oil and commodities sector.
Which trade partners are important for Guyana?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Guyana?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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