Country profile
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
VC · VCTAs of: 6/30/2026Small Caribbean island and import market (OECS/ECCU), heavily dominated by sea freight
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.
Overview
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.
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Customs and Excise Department, St. Vincent and the GrenadinesImport 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.
Export system
ASYCUDA World; export declaration filed electronically through a licensed customs agent. CARICOM-origin goods receive preferential treatment in the internal market.
Import VAT
- Import VAT 16 percent standard rate (since 1. May 2017)
- hotel sector 11 percent, certain services 0 percent. Levied on customs value plus duty at the border by Customs and Excise
- administered by Inland Revenue Department.
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of Lading or air waybill
- Packing list
- ASYCUDA import declaration (CusDec)
- Import licence/permit if applicable
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- ASYCUDA export declaration
- CARICOM certificate of origin (for preferences)
Origin proofs / FTA
Preferential proofs in the CARICOM internal market via CARICOM certificate of origin; towards the EU the CARIFORUM EPA applies. There is no free trade agreement with Switzerland/EFTA.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Import restrictions include, among others, weapons and ammunition, narcotics and certain agricultural and food products (licence or permit required); inspection by Customs and Excise.
Export controls & sanctions
No independent export control or sanctions regimes; as a UN member, sanctions of the UN Security Council are implemented.
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
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Argyle International Airport (SVD/TVSA), Frachtterminal mit Kühllager
- Grenadinen-Flughäfen Bequia, Canouan, Union Island (innerkaribisch)
Seaports / access ports
- Port Kingstown (main sea port; new cargo port since October 2025)
- Campden Park (industrial and container handling)
- Port Elizabeth, Bequia (Grenadines)
Top trade lanes
- USA - St. Vincent
- Trinidad and Tobago - St. Vincent
- United Kingdom - St. Vincent
- Intra-Caribbean (OECS/CARICOM)
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Island location with dependence on sea freight and transshipment via regional hubs; limited storage and cold storage capacity. Active volcano La Soufriere (last eruption April 2021) as residual risk.
Seasonal & weather risks
Tropical climate; Atlantic hurricane season June to November with risk of storm, wind and flood damage as well as port closures. Pronounced rainy season June to November.
Current logistics notes
New modernised Kingstown cargo port opened on 25. October 2025 (Kingstown Port Modernisation Project, CDB/UKCIF, 380 m quay wall); first vessel MV FOUMA on 26. October 2025.
As of: 2026-06-30
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
- customs.gov.vc
- ird.gov.vc
- finance.gov.vc
- stats.gov.vc
- eccb-centralbank.org
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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