Country profile
Honduras
HN · HNDAs of: 6/23/2026Transit country / Caribbean-Pacific gateway of Central America
Honduras is a Central American transit and export country with coasts on both the Caribbean and the Pacific. Puerto Cortés, the region's leading deepwater port, together with the San Pedro Sula and Palmerola airports forms the logistics backbone. Key goods are coffee, bananas, palm oil and maquila textiles.
Overview
Honduras (ISO code: HN) lies in Central America, bordering Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, with coasts on both the Caribbean (Atlantic) and the Pacific. It is a presidential republic facing ongoing challenges around corruption, crime and the rule of law. The climate is tropical, with humid coastal lowlands, mountainous interior and pronounced rainy and dry seasons. Agriculture is central to the economy, especially bananas, coffee and palm oil, complemented by maquila manufacturing, services and mining. Foreign trade is decisive: exports are mainly agricultural and industrial goods, while the country depends heavily on imports of fuel, machinery and consumer goods. Strategic ports such as Puerto Cortés, the leading deepwater port of Central America, anchor the country's transit and logistics role for regional supply chains. The national currency is the Lempira (HNL).
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Honduran Customs Administration (Aduanas)Import system
Electronic clearance via the SARAH system (Sistema Automatizado de Rentas Aduaneras de Honduras) of Aduanas; ISV collected at the border.
Export system
Exports also handled via SARAH; export declaration filed with the Administración Aduanera de Honduras.
Import VAT
- ISV 15 percent standard rate
- 18 percent on alcohol, tobacco, soft drinks and business-class airline tickets (SAR).
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB)
- DUA / SARAH import declaration
- Proof of origin (FTA)
- SENASA permit, if applicable
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration (SARAH)
- Certificate of origin
- Phytosanitary certificate (SENASA)
- Transport document
Origin proofs / FTA
Proof of origin per agreement: CAFTA-DR (origin self-declaration), EU-Central America (origin declaration/EUR.1), MCCA certificate of origin.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Restrictions apply to, among others, weapons, ammunition, narcotics, certain agricultural/plant products (SENASA) and used vehicles above an age limit.
Export controls & sanctions
Honduras is a UN member and implements UN sanctions; no separate national sanctions list.
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
- Ramón Villeda Morales (SAP), San Pedro Sula
- Palmerola / Comayagua (XPL)
- Toncontín (TGU), Tegucigalpa
Seaports / access ports
- Puerto Cortés (Caribbean, main port)
- Puerto Castilla (Trujillo, Caribbean)
- San Lorenzo / Henecán (Pacific)
Road corridors & border crossings
- CA-5 (Puerto Cortés–San Pedro Sula–Tegucigalpa)
- CA-13 Caribbean coast
- Pacific corridor to San Lorenzo
- Connection to the Pan-American Highway
Top trade lanes
- Honduras–USA
- Honduras–Central America (MCCA)
- Honduras–EU
- Honduras–China
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Weather risks during the hurricane/rainy season; security situation and corruption affect supply chains; informal road freight transport is widespread.
Seasonal & weather risks
Hurricane/rainy season June to November (Caribbean coast); severe damage from Eta and Iota in 2020; flooding and road closures possible.
Current logistics notes
Puerto Cortés is Central America's most important deep-water port and a CSI/Megaports location with US advance screening; hub for maquila textile exports.
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
- aduanas.gob.hn
- sar.gob.hn
- enp.hn
- trade.gov
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
What is the import sales tax (ISV) in Honduras?
The standard ISV rate is 15 percent. A rate of 18 percent applies to alcohol, tobacco, soft drinks and business-class air tickets. The tax is administered by the SAR.
Which customs system does Honduras use?
Imports and exports are processed electronically through the SARAH system of the Administración Aduanera de Honduras.
What is the most important port in Honduras?
Puerto Cortés on the Caribbean coast is the leading deepwater port of Central America and handles most container traffic. San Lorenzo (Henecán) serves the Pacific coast.
Which free trade agreements apply to Honduras?
Honduras is part of CAFTA-DR (with the USA), the Central American Common Market (MCCA/SIECA) and the trade pillar of the EU-Central America Agreement, provisionally applied since 2013.
Which airports are relevant for air cargo?
The main cargo airports are Ramón Villeda Morales (SAP) in San Pedro Sula, the new Palmerola airport (XPL) near Comayagua and Toncontín (TGU) in Tegucigalpa.
What seasonal risks affect logistics?
The hurricane and rainy season runs from June to November. Storms such as Eta and Iota (2020) caused severe damage to infrastructure and roads.
What are the main exports of Honduras?
Key exports include coffee, bananas, palm oil, crustaceans and textiles and apparel from the maquila industry.
Which trade partners are important for Honduras?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Honduras?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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