Guyana: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 4 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Guyana.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

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

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On the sanctions lists

4 entries on the official lists name Guyana — 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)	4	4	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Guyana recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Guyana: logistics and trade

Oil exporter / emerging commodities hub

Guyana (ISO code: GY) lies on the northern coast of South America, bordering Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, with an Atlantic coastline. It is a parliamentary republic with a tropical climate and two rainy seasons. Once reliant on sugar, rice, gold and bauxite, the economy has been transformed since 2019 by large offshore oil discoveries in the Stabroek block, making Guyana one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Foreign trade is vital and the country remains heavily dependent on imports of food, fuel and manufactured goods. Port Georgetown on the Demerara River and Cheddi Jagan International Airport are the main gateways, while a new deep-water port in Berbice is under construction. The currency is the Guyanese dollar (GYD).

Capital: Georgetown
Population: 831,087
Area: 214,969 km²
Currency: Guyanese dollar (GYD)
Continent: South America
Region: Caribbean / CARICOM
Economic area: CARICOM / CSME
Religions: Catholic, Protestant, Hinduism, Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation: The offshore oil production in the Stabroek Block has triggered a boom in Guyana, with massive investment in ports, roads and a deep-water port in Berbice, as well as sharply rising freight volumes.
Seasonal conditions: Tropical climate with two rainy seasons (May–August and November–January); flood risk in the coastal lowlands, which partly lie below sea level and depend on dikes.

Main seaports

Georgetown
Georgetown (GYGEO): Guyana's main port on the Demerara River handling ~90% of national cargo. Shallow draught, feeder vessels; transhipment via Port of Spain.
New Amsterdam
New Amsterdam (GY NAM): Berbice River port for bauxite, rice and sugar, vessels to ~30,000 DWT. Container cargo routes via Georgetown.
Linden
Port of Linden (GY LDN): bauxite river port on the Demerara, Bosai ore exports to China. Bulk facility, no container terminal; containers via Georgetown.

Road corridors

Georgetown-Linden Highway
East Coast / East Bank Demerara Corridor
Georgetown-Lethem Road (towards Brazil)

Inland ports

Linden (Demerara River)
Parika (Essequibo River)

Main trade lanes

Guyana-USA
Guyana-Trinidad and Tobago
Guyana-China
Guyana-EU
Guyana-Brazil

Customs and import

Customs authority Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) - Customs and Trade AdministrationOfficial website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic customs clearance via ASYCUDA World of the GRA; import declaration as e-SAD (IM4 for release for free circulation) by the importer or a customs agent.
Export customs system: Export declaration also electronic via ASYCUDA World (e-SAD) with the GRA; electronic payment of duties through partner banks is possible.
Import VAT: 14 percent VAT on CIF value plus import duties and other charges (GRA); registration obligation from 15 million GYD turnover; renewable energy technology and others exempt.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: CARICOM certificate of origin for CSME preferences; EUR.1 or origin declaration under the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and CARIFORUM-UK EPA.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import bans and restrictions, including for weapons, ammunition, narcotics and certain agricultural and food products; observe goods subject to licensing (GRA list).

Typical import documents

commercial invoice
packing list
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
ASYCUDA import declaration (e-SAD)
proof of origin
import licence, if required

Typical export documents

commercial invoice
packing list
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
ASYCUDA export declaration (e-SAD)
certificate of origin (EUR.1 / CARICOM)

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

United States China Trinidad and Tobago Brazil Cuba

Top export partners

United States United Arab Emirates Canada Trinidad and Tobago China

Top import goods

mineral oils
machinery
vehicles
electronic devices
food

Top export goods

crude oil
gold
aluminium
sugar
rice

Typical cargo

crude oil
gold
bauxite / aluminium ore
rice
sugar
mineral oils (imports)
machinery and vehicles (imports)

Logistics questions

What is the import tax (VAT) in Guyana?

Guyana levies 14 percent VAT on the CIF value plus import duties and other charges. VAT registration is mandatory once turnover reaches 15 million GYD over twelve months; certain goods such as renewable energy technology are exempt.

Which customs system does Guyana use?

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) handles imports and exports electronically via ASYCUDA World. Importers or customs agents submit an electronic declaration (e-SAD; IM4 for home consumption) together with supporting documents; duties can be paid online through partner banks.

What is Guyana's most important port?

Port Georgetown on the Demerara is the main port, but due to shallow water and silting it is limited to ships of up to around 20'000 tonnes. A deep-water port (9 to 10 metres depth) is being built in Berbice for larger ships.

Which trade agreements apply to Guyana?

Guyana is a member of CARICOM and the CSME single market, with a common external tariff (CET, usually 5 to 20 percent, up to 40 percent for certain agricultural goods). In addition, the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and the CARIFORUM-UK EPA provide duty-free and quota-free market access.

What risks exist for supply chains to Guyana?

The main risk is the unresolved Essequibo territorial dispute with Venezuela, which is being heard before the ICJ. In addition, there are limited port capacities, silting of the Demerara, two rainy seasons with flood risk and oil-related bottlenecks.

Which currency applies in Guyana?

The legal tender is the Guyana dollar (GYD). US dollars are widely used for international business, particularly in the oil and commodities sector.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗