Kiribati: 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 Kiribati.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

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

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On the sanctions lists

No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names Kiribati.

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Kiribati recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Kiribati: logistics and trade

Remote island state / fisheries and supply logistics

Kiribati (KI) is a remote island nation in the central Pacific, spread across the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line Islands and one of the world's most geographically dispersed states. Politically it is a presidential republic with stable democratic institutions. The climate is tropical-maritime, marked by high temperatures and humidity, and the low-lying atolls are increasingly exposed to sea-level rise and storm surges. The economy is small and relies on fisheries, copra production, fishing-licence revenue and development aid. Foreign trade is dominated by imports of food, fuel, building materials and consumer goods, while exports consist mainly of fish, copra and seaweed, resulting in high import dependence. Logistics are essential but limited: sea freight through the main port of Betio (Tarawa), operated by the Kiribati Ports Authority, and a secondary port on Kiritimati handle most cargo, while Bonriki International Airport (TRW) and Cassidy International Airport (CXI) carry air freight. Customs is processed electronically through ASYCUDA World (live since December 2021) under the Customs Act 2019, and the standard VAT rate is 12.5 percent. The official currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Remoteness, dependence on transhipment via Fiji and Australia, high freight costs and long transit times are the defining logistics challenges.

Capital: South Tarawa
Population: 134,518
Area: 811 km²
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
Continent: Oceania
Region: Pacific
Economic area: Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) / PACER Plus
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air

Current situation: Electronic customs clearance with ASYCUDA World since December 2021; ongoing port and airport projects with partners such as ADB, Australia and New Zealand to strengthen supply logistics.
Seasonal conditions: Tropical maritime climate; risks from storm surges, king tides and sea-level rise; ENSO effects influence precipitation. Its near-equatorial location means low cyclone frequency.

Main seaports

Tarawa Atoll
Betio (KI TRW), Tarawa's main port and Kiribati's gateway: 20/40ft containers handled by side-lifters, essential imports and copra exports, transhipment via Suva.

Main cargo airports

Bonriki International AirportTRW
Bonriki (TRW), South Tarawa, is Kiribati's main international airport. Belly cargo via Fiji Airways; larger freight routes through Nadi (NAN), Fiji.
Cassidy International AirportCXI
Cassidy International (CXI/PLCH), Kiritimati: about seven flights a week, belly cargo only, no freight terminal. Consolidation via Nadi (NAN) or Honolulu (HNL).

Road corridors

South Tarawa main connection Betio - Bairiki - Bikenibeu - Bonriki

Main trade lanes

Australia - Kiribati
New Zealand - Kiribati
Fiji (Suva) - Tarawa (transhipment)
Asia/Japan - Kiribati (fish exports)

Customs and import

Customs authority Kiribati Customs Services (Ministry of Finance and Economic Development)Official website ↗

Import customs system: ASYCUDA World (UNCTAD), in productive use since December 2021; legal basis Customs Act 2019. Electronic import declaration with the Kiribati Customs Services under the Ministry of Finance.
Export customs system: Export clearance is also handled via ASYCUDA World; export declaration with the Kiribati Customs Services, legal basis Customs Act 2019.
Import VAT: VAT 12,5 percent standard rate on imports (customs value CIF plus duty); exports are zero-rated. Legal basis Value Added Tax Act 2013.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Preference proofs under PACER Plus (in force since December 2020) and PICTA; as a Least Developed Country (LDC), duty-free EU market access via Everything But Arms. Proof required for each agreement.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import restrictions and prohibitions, including for weapons, ammunition and explosives, as well as strict biosecurity and quarantine controls for animals, plants and food; in some cases a licence is required.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Import customs declaration (ASYCUDA World)
If applicable: import licence / biosecurity permit

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Export customs declaration (ASYCUDA World)
Proof of origin (if preference is claimed)

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

Australia New Zealand China Japan United States

Top export partners

Japan Thailand China South Korea Australia

Top import goods

Food
Petroleum products
Consumer goods
Construction materials

Top export goods

Fish
Copra
Algae

Typical cargo

Food
Fuel and petroleum products
Construction materials
Consumer goods
Fish (export)
Copra (export)

Logistics questions

Which documents do I need for importing into Kiribati?

Common documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and an electronic import customs declaration via ASYCUDA World. For animals, plants and food, biosecurity permits or import licences may be required.

What is the import tax (VAT) in Kiribati?

The standard VAT rate is 12,5 percent and is levied on imports based on the customs value (CIF) plus duty. Exports are zero-rated. The legal basis is the Value Added Tax Act 2013, administered by the Ministry of Finance.

Which customs system does Kiribati use?

Kiribati has handled customs clearance electronically via ASYCUDA World (UNCTAD) since December 2021. The responsible authority is the Kiribati Customs Services under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development; the legal basis is the Customs Act 2019.

What are the most important ports and airports?

The main port is Betio on Tarawa, operated by the Kiribati Ports Authority; another port is located on Kiritimati (Christmas Island). For air cargo, Bonriki International Airport (TRW) on South Tarawa and Cassidy International Airport (CXI) on Kiritimati are relevant.

What currency is used in Kiribati?

The legal tender is the Australian dollar (AUD). Kiribati issues its own collectible coins, but uses the Australian dollar for payments, which reduces exchange rate risks in trade.

Does Kiribati benefit from free trade agreements?

Yes. Kiribati is a party to PACER Plus (in force since December 2020) as well as the regional PICTA, and is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum. As a Least Developed Country (LDC), it also has duty-free EU market access via Everything But Arms.

What should I observe regarding import restrictions?

There are prohibitions and restrictions, including for weapons, ammunition and explosives, as well as strict biosecurity and quarantine controls for animals, plants and certain foods. For some goods, an import licence is required.

What are transit times and freight costs to Kiribati like?

Due to the remote island location and limited port capacity at Betio, many shipments are routed via transhipment services through Fiji or Australia. This results in relatively high freight costs and long transit times that depend on schedules.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗