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

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

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

Check a shipment to Montserrat →

On the sanctions lists

No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names Montserrat.

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Montserrat recorded yet.

All updates →

All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Montserrat: logistics and trade

Import-dependent Caribbean island / British Overseas Territory

Montserrat (ISO code MS) is a small Caribbean island in the northern Lesser Antilles, south of Antigua and north of Guadeloupe. Politically it is a British Overseas Territory with a locally elected parliament and a UK-appointed governor. The economy relies mainly on services, tourism and public-sector activity, while agriculture and fishing play a minor role. Foreign trade is limited and import-dominated (food, fuel, machinery, consumer goods). The Soufriere Hills volcano, active since 1995, destroyed the former capital Plymouth and created a southern exclusion zone, leaving the island heavily dependent on imports through the seaport at Little Bay and John A. Osborne Airport. The currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), pegged to the US Dollar.

Capital: Plymouth
Population: 4,386
Area: 102 km²
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Continent: North America
Region: Caribbean
Economic area: CARICOM / OECS / ECCU
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air

Current situation: New Little Bay port under expansion (project of the UK and Caribbean Development Bank, around 28 million GBP, since 2022); interim seat of government in Brades.
Seasonal conditions: Atlantic hurricane season June to November with risk of storms and heavy rain; tropical maritime climate; volcanic ash fall possible.

Main cargo airports

John A. Osborne AirportMNI
John A. Osborne Airport (MNI): Montserrat's island airport, 593 m runway, STOL flights to Antigua and Sint Maarten only; cargo via sea and Antigua hub.

Road corridors

Coastal road Brades - Little Bay - Gerald's

Main trade lanes

UK - Montserrat
Antigua - Montserrat (regional transshipment)

Customs and import

Customs authority Montserrat Customs and Revenue Service (MCRS), Ministry of FinanceOfficial website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic processing via ASYCUDA; import duties = customs duty (CARICOM tariff) plus Consumption Tax on CIF value, collected by MCRS at Little Bay port.
Export customs system: Export declaration via ASYCUDA at MCRS; low export activity, mainly re-exports and agricultural products to the region.
Import VAT: No VAT. Instead, Consumption Tax plus customs duty under the CARICOM tariff on CIF value; Consumption Tax rate depends on the HS heading, commonly around 15 percent, tobacco up to 50 percent.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: CARICOM origin within the community; toward UK/EU, proof of origin (EUR.1/origin declaration) under the CARIFORUM EPA. No FTA with Switzerland/EFTA.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import controls for weapons, ammunition, drugs as well as certain foods, plants and animals (health and quarantine regulations); licensing requirement in some cases.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
Packing list
Import customs declaration (ASYCUDA)

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Export customs declaration (ASYCUDA)
Proof of origin (if preference applies)

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

United Kingdom United States Antigua and Barbuda China Jamaica

Top export partners

United Kingdom Antigua and Barbuda United States

Top import goods

Food
Consumer goods
Petroleum products
Building materials
Vehicles

Top export goods

Agricultural products
Services

Typical cargo

Food
Fuel
Building materials
Consumer goods
Vehicles

Logistics questions

Does Montserrat have VAT?

No. Montserrat levies no VAT but charges customs duty under the CARICOM tariff and a consumption tax on the CIF value of imports.

Which customs authority is responsible?

The Montserrat Customs and Revenue Service (MCRS) within the Ministry of Finance processes imports and exports electronically via ASYCUDA.

Which ports and airports handle goods?

Little Bay is the only seaport (Montserrat Port Authority, currently being expanded). Air cargo runs through John A. Osborne Airport (MNI) near Gerald's.

Is there a free trade agreement for Swiss exporters?

No, there is no FTA between Switzerland/EFTA and Montserrat. Shipments are cleared under the standard CARICOM tariff.

Which risks matter for logistics?

The active Soufriere Hills volcano with its southern exclusion zone and the Atlantic hurricane season (June to November) can disrupt supply chains.

Which documents are required for import?

Typically a commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill, packing list and the ASYCUDA import declaration; an origin proof where preferences apply.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗