Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 0 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba may still be on a list.

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On the sanctions lists

No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba: logistics and trade

EU-OCT island group (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba); import-dependent Caribbean locations with oil transshipment at Statia

The Caribbean Netherlands (ISO Code: BQ) consists of the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, located in the southern Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela. Politically, they are special municipalities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with local administration and direct connection to the Dutch government. The climate is tropical-arid to tropical-maritime, with warm temperatures year-round, a rainy season between October and January, and high humidity. Economically, tourism, salt production, fishing, and services play the most important role, complemented by limited agricultural production. Foreign trade is small, with exports primarily consisting of salt, fish products, and tourist services, while the islands are highly dependent on imports for food, energy, and consumer goods. Strategically located ports and the international airport in Bonaire ensure transit and logistics functions for regional goods and passenger flows. The national currency is the US Dollar (USD), which enables stable economic transactions. The geographical location favors the Caribbean Netherlands as a hub for tourism and maritime logistics. Infrastructure, political ties to the Netherlands, and international accessibility strengthen the economic and logistical significance of the islands.

Capital: none (Kralendijk – Bonaire; The Bottom – Saba; Oranjestad – Sint Eustatius)
Population: 31,980
Area: 328 km²
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Continent: North America
Region: Caribbean (EU-OCT)
Economic area: EU-OCT (outside the EU customs territory)
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation: Curoil Bonaire took over the former BOPEC oil terminal on 30.10.2025 (refurbishment/restart planned); the GTI Statia terminal on Sint Eustatius is being expanded to around 14 million barrels.
Seasonal conditions: Atlantic hurricane season June to November, mainly affecting Saba and Sint Eustatius; Bonaire lies further south and is less affected. Tropical storms can delay sea and air freight.

Main cargo airports

Flamingo International AirportBON
Flamingo International (BON), Bonaire: KLM wide-bodies from Amsterdam, under 1,000 t belly cargo/year, Swissport handling, heavy goods by sea via Kralendijk.
F. D. Roosevelt AirportEUX
F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX/TNCE), Sint Eustatius: 1,199 m runway, Winair Twin Otter from SXM only, no cargo. Air freight consolidated at Sint Maarten.
Juancho E. Yrausquin AirportSAB
Juancho E. Yrausquin (SAB), Saba: world's shortest commercial runway (400 m), Winair Twin Otter from Sint Maarten. No cargo; bulk goods by sea via Fort Bay.

Main trade lanes

BES-Netherlands
BES-USA
BES-Curaçao/Aruba
Transshipment Statia (US Gulf Coast/Latin America)
BES-Colombia

Customs and import

Customs authority Belastingdienst Caribisch Nederland / Douane Caribisch NederlandOfficial website ↗

Import customs system: As an EU-OCT outside the EU customs territory; import duty (invoerrechten) generally 0 percent. Handled by Douane Caribisch Nederland; the ABB applies on import.
Export customs system: Exports without EU single market link; declaration with Douane Caribisch Nederland. Permits for strategic/controlled goods via the Dutch CDIU.
Import VAT: No VAT; instead ABB (Algemene bestedingsbelasting): import to Bonaire 8 percent (cars with CO2 25, electric cars 0, services 6); Saba/Sint Eustatius goods 6, services 4. Import duty 0 percent.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: As an EU-OCT, originating goods enjoy preferential, largely duty-free access to the EU (OCT Association Decision). No own free trade agreements; currency USD.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Restrictions/prohibitions including for weapons, certain foodstuffs, plants and animals, medicines and dangerous goods; excise duties (accijns) on fuel and, on Bonaire, also on alcohol/tobacco.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading / air waybill
ABB/import declaration (Douane Caribisch Nederland)
Import permits (depending on goods)

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading / air waybill
Export declaration (Douane Caribisch Nederland)
Permit for strategic goods (CDIU, if applicable)

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Low to medium
Customs delays: Low to medium
Port congestion: Low
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium to high
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium

Trade

Top import partners

Netherlands United States Colombia Venezuela China

Top export partners

Netherlands United States VO Venezuela Curaçao

Top import goods

Food
Petroleum products
Consumer goods
Vehicles
Machinery

Top export goods

Salt
Fish
Services

Typical cargo

Food
Petroleum products and fuel
Consumer goods
Construction materials
Vehicles
Salt (Bonaire export)

Logistics questions

Are the Caribbean Netherlands part of the EU customs union?

No. Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are special municipalities of the Netherlands but hold EU OCT status (overseas country and territory) and lie outside the EU customs territory and the EU VAT area.

What import tax applies on the islands?

Import duty is 0 percent. Instead the ABB (general expenditure tax) applies: 8 percent on import in Bonaire and 6 percent in Saba and Sint Eustatius. Excise duties apply on top, mainly on fuel.

Which authority handles customs?

The Belastingdienst Caribisch Nederland and its customs division Douane Caribisch Nederland, part of the Dutch tax and customs administration, are responsible.

Which currency is used?

Since 2011 the US dollar (USD) has been legal tender on all three islands, not the euro.

Which ports and airports are relevant?

The main cargo port is Kralendijk on Bonaire; Sint Eustatius operates the large GTI Statia oil terminal, and Saba the small Fort Bay harbour. Air freight runs via Bonaire (BON), Sint Eustatius (EUX) and Saba (SAB).

Does Switzerland benefit from preferences?

The islands have no separate free trade agreement with Switzerland. As EU OCT, goods originating there enjoy preferential access to the EU; trade with Switzerland follows general rules.

What seasonal risks exist?

During the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November, storms can mainly hit Saba and Sint Eustatius and delay sea and air freight. Bonaire lies further south and is less exposed.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗