Countries · KY
Cayman Islands: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 19 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Cayman Islands.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Cayman Islands in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Cayman Islands may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
19 entries on the official lists name Cayman Islands — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 13 | 13 | — | — |
| US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Cayman Islands recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Cayman Islands: logistics and trade
Island import market / financial centre
The Cayman Islands (ISO code: KY) lie in the Caribbean south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica and consist of the main islands Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Politically they are a British Overseas Territory with their own legislature, executive and judiciary, while defence and foreign affairs are handled by the United Kingdom. The climate is tropical with warm temperatures, high humidity and a pronounced hurricane season. Economically the islands are best known as an international financial centre, complemented by tourism and services, with very limited agriculture. The territory is highly dependent on imports of food, energy and consumer goods. There is no value-added tax; government revenue derives mainly from import duties (generally 22 percent on the CIF value). Supply runs through the seaport of George Town and Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman, plus facilities on Cayman Brac. The local currency, the Cayman Islands dollar (KYD), has been pegged to the US dollar since 1974.
- Capital
- George Town
- Population
- 88,833
- Area
- 264 km²
- Currency
- Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD)
- Continent
- North America
- Region
- Caribbean
- Economic area
- British Overseas Territory (UKOT)
- Religions
- Christianity
- Access to the sea
- Yes
- Current situation
- Supply mainly by container ship and barge via George Town (Grand Cayman) and Cayman Brac; air freight via Owen Roberts (GCM).
- Seasonal conditions
- Hurricane season June to November with risk of port closures and freight delays; tropical humid climate year-round.
Main seaports
- Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac (KY CYB): Creek Dock is a small feeder port served by a weekly barge from George Town. RoRo and general cargo; boxes route via George Town and Miami.
Main cargo airports
- Owen Roberts International AirportGCM
Owen Roberts (GCM), Grand Cayman: Cayman Airways freighters from Miami (Tue/Thu), about 690 t of cargo a year, clearance via Customs & Border Control.
- Charles Kirkconnell International AirportCYB
Charles Kirkconnell International (CYB), Cayman Brac: belly cargo only on Cayman Airways flights; customs and alternatives via Owen Roberts (GCM) and Miami.
Main trade lanes
- USA (Miami/Florida) - George Town
- Jamaica - George Town
Customs and import
Customs authority Customs and Border Control Service (CBC)Official website ↗
- Import customs system
- Customs Online System (COLS): electronic import declaration with Trader Identification Number (TIN); goods must be declared within 7 days of arrival.
- Export customs system
- Exports are also recorded via the CBC's Customs Online System (COLS); there is no general export duty.
- Import VAT
- No value added tax. Import duty usually 22 percent (range 22 to 27 percent) on the CIF value; additionally Package Tax and storage fee per shipment.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- No free trade or customs union status; import duty applies regardless of origin. Associate CARICOM member without preferential rules of origin.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Licence required, among others, for firearms and ammunition, drugs and medicines, as well as certain foodstuffs, plants and animals; harpoons and dangerous goods are restricted.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of lading or air waybill (B/L or AWB)
- COLS import declaration
- Packing list
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Waybill
- COLS export declaration
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Foodstuffs
- Consumer goods
- Petroleum products
- Vehicles
- Machinery
Top export goods
- Re-exports
- Services
Typical cargo
- Food
- Consumer goods
- Construction materials
- Vehicles
- Petroleum products
Logistics questions
Is there a value added tax (VAT) on import in the Cayman Islands?
No. The Cayman Islands do not levy value added tax. On import, import duty is charged instead, usually 22 percent (range 22 to 27 percent) on the CIF value, plus Package Tax and storage fee.
What is the import duty rate?
Most goods are charged around 22 percent on the CIF value; certain product groups go up to 27 percent. The Customs Tariff Act is decisive; the CBC publishes the current tariff list at cbc.gov.ky.
How is an import declared?
Declaration is made electronically via the Customs Online System (COLS) of the Customs and Border Control Service. Importers need a free Trader Identification Number (TIN) and must declare goods within 7 days of arrival.
Which ports and airports serve the islands?
The main port is George Town on Grand Cayman (Port Authority of the Cayman Islands), supplemented by Cayman Brac. Air freight runs via Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM); on Cayman Brac, Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CYB) serves the island.
What is the currency and the exchange rate?
The local currency is the Cayman Islands dollar (KYD), fixed to the US dollar since 1. April 1974 at 1 KYD = 1,20 USD. US dollars are accepted in many places.
Which goods are subject to restrictions?
Licence or import restrictions apply, among others, to firearms and ammunition, drugs and medicines, certain foodstuffs, plants and animals, as well as harpoons. Dangerous goods are subject to special conditions.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 24 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.