Curaçao: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 1 company, organisation, vessel or aircraft linked to Curaçao.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

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

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On the sanctions lists

1 entries on the official lists name Curaçao — 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	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Curaçao recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Curaçao: logistics and trade

Caribbean hub, transshipment and bunkering

Curaçao (ISO-Code: CW) is located in the southern Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela and is part of the ABC Islands. Politically, the island is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands with its own administration and parliamentary structure. The climate is tropical, characterized by warm temperatures, high humidity, and a pronounced dry season. Economically, Curaçao is oriented towards services, tourism, refineries, and financial services, with trade and shipping playing central roles. Foreign trade mainly includes mineral oil products, food, and consumer goods, while the country is heavily reliant on imports. Strategically located ports and an international airport secure transit and logistics functions for regional and transatlantic trade. The national currency is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), which enables stable economic transactions. Curaçao benefits from its geographical position as a hub in Caribbean trade and as a center for shipping and air traffic. The combination of stable administration, tourist appeal, and logistical significance makes the island a relevant player in regional trade.

Capital: Willemstad
Population: 155,826
Area: 444 km²
Currency: Caribbean Guilder (XCG)
Continent: North America
Region: Caribbean
Economic area: EU-OCT / Kingdom of the Netherlands
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation: Caribbean Guilder (XCG) new currency since 31.03.2025 (1:1 to the former ANG, USD peg of 1.79). Isla refinery seeking new use; focus on transshipment and bunkering.
Seasonal conditions: Tropical dry climate; location outside the main hurricane belt, low storm risk. Rainy season roughly October to December. High temperatures year-round.

Main seaports

Willemstad
Willemstad (CWWIL): Curaçao's main port with refinery, bunkering, container terminal, dry-dock and cruise. Cargo, facilities and alternatives.
Caracasbaai
Caracas Bay (CW CRB): deep natural inlet near Willemstad, a former Shell oil terminal now used for ship repairs. Cargo routes via Willemstad.
Bullen Baai
Bullen Baai / Curaçao Oil Terminal (CWBUB): PDVSA crude and fuel-oil terminal with VLCC jetties, 17.75M barrels, no containers. Boxes via Willemstad.

Main cargo airports

Hato International AirportCUR
Hato (CUR), Curaçao: the Caribbean second-longest runway makes it a prime cargo tech-stop between South America and Europe, with a free economic zone.

Road corridors

Willemstad - Hato (Airport)
Willemstad ring road
Road to Westpunt

Main trade lanes

Curaçao - USA
Curaçao - Netherlands
Curaçao - Colombia
Curaçao - Venezuela
Curaçao - Brazil

Customs and import

Customs authority Curaçao CustomsOfficial website ↗

Import customs system: Import declaration with Curaçao Customs; import duties under the Landsverordening tarief van invoerrechten, levied on the CIF value. Curaçao is an EU-OCT and not part of the EU customs territory.
Export customs system: Export clearance through Curaçao Customs. Re-export and transshipment via the Port of Willemstad and the Curaçao Airport Economic Zone. Own foreign trade policy as an OCT.
Import VAT: Turnover tax (OB): standard rate 6 percent; import of goods 9 percent (Landsverordening omzetbelasting 1999, Art. 14c); special rate 7 percent for certain services.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: As an EU-OCT, preferential origin towards the EU is possible (OCT Association Decision); proof of origin via EUR.1 or origin declaration. No EU customs union.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import restrictions apply, among others, to narcotics (Opiumlandsverordening), weapons and ammunition, certain foodstuffs, plants and animals (veterinary/phytosanitary) as well as counterfeit goods.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB)
Import declaration (Curaçao Customs)
Proof of origin (for preference)
If applicable, import permits / licences

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Export declaration (Curaçao Customs)
Bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB)
If applicable, proof of origin (EUR.1)

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

United States Netherlands China Colombia Venezuela

Top export partners

United States Netherlands Colombia Venezuela Brazil

Top import goods

Petroleum products
Food
Consumer goods
Machinery
Vehicles

Top export goods

Refined petroleum products
Chemicals
Metal scrap

Typical cargo

Refined petroleum products
Food
Consumer goods
Machinery
Vehicles
Building materials
Chemicals

Logistics questions

Is Curaçao part of the EU or the EU customs union?

No. Curaçao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and, under EU law, an overseas country and territory (OCT). It is not part of the EU customs territory and conducts its own foreign trade and customs policy.

Which import tax applies when importing into Curaçao?

Curaçao levies a turnover tax (OB). The standard rate is 6 percent; 9 percent applies to imports of goods (Landsverordening omzetbelasting 1999, Art. 14c). A rate of 7 percent applies to certain services.

How are import duties calculated?

Import duties are based on the Landsverordening tarief van invoerrechten and are levied on the CIF value (value of goods including freight and insurance). Rates vary depending on the type of goods.

What documents do I need to import into Curaçao?

Typical documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB), and the import declaration to Curaçao Customs. For preferential treatment, a proof of origin is also required; certain goods require import permits.

Which ports and airports are relevant for freight?

The main seaport is Willemstad, with the Curaçao Container Terminal and oil terminals such as Bullenbaai. Air freight runs through Curaçao International Airport (CUR) with the adjacent Airport Economic Zone.

Which currency is used in Curaçao?

Since 31. March 2025, the Caribbean Guilder (XCG) has been the legal tender. It replaced the former Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) at a rate of 1:1 and is pegged to the US dollar (1 USD = 1.79 XCG).

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗