Countries · IO
British Indian Ocean Territory: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 0 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to British Indian Ocean Territory.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for British Indian Ocean Territory in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in British Indian Ocean Territory may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names British Indian Ocean Territory.
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming British Indian Ocean Territory recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
British Indian Ocean Territory: logistics and trade
Military site / strategic naval and air base (Diego Garcia)
The British Indian Ocean Territory (ISO code: IO), comprising the Chagos Archipelago, lies about 1,800 km south of India. It is a British Overseas Territory with no permanent civilian population. It is run by the BIOT Administration under a Commissioner appointed by the Crown; the only inhabited island is Diego Garcia, home to a joint UK-US military base (Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia) with an airfield and a lagoon harbour. In May 2025 the United Kingdom and Mauritius signed an agreement intended to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, with the United Kingdom retaining Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease (extendable). As of mid-2026, however, the agreement had not been ratified and was not in force, so the territory remained a British Overseas Territory. Economically there is no industry or agriculture and no commercial foreign trade. Imports are almost exclusively for military and scientific purposes. Access to the territory is highly restricted and requires prior permission. A dedicated BIOT Customs and Immigration team and a BIOT Police force are based on Diego Garcia and operate territory-wide. The climate is tropical-maritime with high humidity and seasonal monsoon rains. A large marine protected area surrounds the archipelago and is patrolled by a dedicated vessel.
- Capital
- none
- Area
- 60 km²
- Currency
- Pound sterling (official); US dollar used on Diego Garcia
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Indian Ocean
- Economic area
- British Overseas Territory
- Religions
- None
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Air
- Current situation
- UK-Mauritius sovereignty agreement (May 2025) not yet ratified or in force by mid-2026; paused in parliament in April 2026. BIOT remains a UK Overseas Territory; Diego Garcia leased to UK/USA.
- Seasonal conditions
- Tropical maritime; near the equator, therefore low cyclone risk; seasonal monsoon rains and high humidity.
Main seaports
- Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia (IO DGA): restricted US-UK military atoll in the Chagos Archipelago, no open commercial freight. Resupply via Singapore; nearest hubs Colombo, Malé.
Customs and import
Customs authority BIOT Customs and ImmigrationOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- BIOT's own customs and immigration authority; no commercial trade system. Access only with prior permission; imports mainly for military and research purposes.
- Export customs system
- No commercial exports; no industry or agriculture, therefore no regular export procedures.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Not applicable (no commercial trade)
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Imports heavily regulated; customs, immigration and drug controls. Fishing and extraction are prohibited in the marine protected area.
Typical import documents
- Advance access permit (permit)
- Military supply documents
Logistics conditions
- Port congestion
- Low
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Low to medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Low
Trade
Top import goods
- Supply goods for military facilities
- Fuel
- Food
Top export goods
- None
Typical cargo
- Military supply goods
- Fuel
- Food
Logistics questions
Can commercial cargo be delivered to the British Indian Ocean Territory?
No. There is no commercial foreign trade and no civilian port or airport handling. Imports are almost exclusively for the military base on Diego Garcia and for scientific purposes, in each case with prior permission.
Who is responsible for customs and immigration?
BIOT's own customs and immigration authority (BIOT Customs and Immigration) is stationed on Diego Garcia and responsible for the entire territory. It checks prohibited goods and verifies entry eligibility. Access is strictly limited.
How do you get into the territory or to Diego Garcia?
Access is only possible with prior permission. Diego Garcia is accessible exclusively to persons in approved service; there are no commercial flights. For yachts, only transit permits for the outer islands are issued.
Which currency is used?
The official currency is the pound sterling (GBP). On Diego Garcia, US Navy facilities are billed in US dollars (USD). Both currencies are in use.
What is the status of the Chagos agreement with Mauritius?
The United Kingdom and Mauritius signed an agreement in May 2025 that is intended to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, while Diego Garcia remains with the UK/USA under a 99-year lease. As of mid-2026, it had not yet been ratified and was not in force.
What environmental and access requirements apply?
A large marine protected area surrounds the archipelago and is monitored by a patrol vessel. Fishing and extraction are prohibited there. Together with the access restriction, every civilian activity requires a permit.
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Powered by Freight Academy, verified 22 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.