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

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

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

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On the sanctions lists

No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names Nauru.

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Nauru recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Nauru: logistics and trade

Phosphate exporter / isolated Pacific island state

Nauru (ISO code NR) is a small island state in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia, and a parliamentary republic with limited administrative structures. The climate is tropical-maritime with high temperatures, high humidity and pronounced rainy seasons. The economy has long been dominated by phosphate mining, supplemented by services and fishing. In foreign trade Nauru plays a minor role; exports consist mainly of phosphate, while the country depends heavily on imports of food, fuel, machinery and consumer goods, mostly from Australia and Asia. Logistics centre on Aiwo port and Nauru International Airport, which secure the movement of goods and people. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). Given its isolated location, transit functions are limited.

Capital: none (Yaren-District)
Population: 11,680
Area: 21 km²
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
Continent: Oceania
Region: Pacific / Oceania
Economic area: Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air

Current situation: New deep-sea wharf in Aiwo in operation since 3. September 2022; fuel pipeline since September 2023. Container yard and other buildings (ADB/GCF project) still under completion (status 2026-06).
Seasonal conditions: Tropical maritime climate; swell and wind can disrupt port operations. Outside the main tropical cyclone zone, but El Niño-related droughts with water shortages are possible.

Main seaports

Nauru
Nauru (NR INU): the Pacific island's only seaport, exporting phosphate via an offshore mooring system at Aiwo; modernisation planned by late 2025.

Main cargo airports

Nauru International AirportINU
Nauru International Airport (INU): home base of Nauru Airlines, with a 737 freighter fleet serving Brisbane, Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia and Palau.

Main trade lanes

Nauru - Australia
Nauru - Fiji
Nauru - East Asia (CN/JP/KR)

Customs and import

Customs authority Nauru Customs Service (Department of Finance)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Customs clearance by the Nauru Customs Service based on the Customs Act 2014; clearance at Aiwo port and at the airport. Process automation under development.
Export customs system: Export clearance by the Nauru Customs Service (Customs Act 2014); the dominant export is phosphate via Aiwo port.
Import VAT: No value added tax/GST in Nauru. Import duties are levied as customs duty (Customs Act 2014); additionally excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and fuel.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Nauru has signed but not yet ratified PACER Plus; preferential origin proofs are therefore not yet in force. Trade is predominantly on an MFN basis.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import restrictions mainly for weapons and ammunition, narcotics, and animals and plants subject to quarantine (biosecurity). Basis: Customs Act 2014.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Customs declaration (Customs Act 2014)
Transport document (B/L or AWB)
If applicable: biosecurity/import permit

Typical export documents

Export declaration
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Transport document (B/L or AWB)
If applicable: certificate of origin

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

Australia Fiji China Japan South Korea

Top export partners

Australia Japan South Korea China

Top import goods

Food
Fuels
Consumer goods

Top export goods

Phosphates
Fish

Typical cargo

Phosphate (export)
Food
Fuel
Consumer goods
Construction materials

Logistics questions

Is there a value added tax (VAT/GST) in Nauru?

No. Nauru does not levy a general value added tax or GST. Imports are subject to customs duty under the Customs Act 2014, as well as excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and fuel.

Which authority is responsible for customs clearance in Nauru?

The Nauru Customs Service within the Department of Finance is responsible. Clearance takes place at Aiwo port and at Nauru International Airport under the Customs Act 2014.

How do goods reach Nauru?

Practically all cargo arrives by sea at the Nauru International Port in Aiwo, and by air cargo at Airport INU. There is no railway.

What does Nauru export and import?

The main export is phosphate, complemented by fish. The main imports are food, fuel, machinery and consumer goods, mainly from Australia and Asia.

Which currency is used in Nauru?

Nauru uses the Australian dollar (AUD) as legal tender; it has no currency of its own.

Does Nauru benefit from a free trade agreement?

Nauru has signed the regional PACER Plus agreement but has not yet ratified it. Preferential origin rules are therefore not yet applicable; trade is mainly conducted on an MFN basis.

How reliable is the port connection?

The infrastructure is limited and weather-dependent. With the new deep-sea wharf in Aiwo (in operation since September 2022), clearance has improved significantly compared with the earlier offshore transshipment.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗