Countries · MP
Northern Mariana Islands: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 0 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Northern Mariana Islands.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Northern Mariana Islands in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Northern Mariana Islands may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names Northern Mariana Islands.
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Northern Mariana Islands recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Northern Mariana Islands: logistics and trade
US Pacific territory / island market dependent on imports
The Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) lie in the western Pacific and, together with Guam, form the Mariana island chain. As a self-governing US territory they belong politically to the United States but sit outside the US customs territory and run their own customs and quarantine regime through the Division of Customs and Quarantine of the Department of Finance. Instead of VAT, an excise tax is levied by commodity group (foodstuffs 1 percent, standard rate 5 percent, high rates on tobacco, perfumery and cosmetics), plus an Environmental Beautification Tax of 0.42 percent on consumer goods. Valuation is CIF, with a 1000 USD allowance for personal imports. The economy and supply rely on tourism, the US military presence and imports from the US mainland, Guam and Asia. Logistically central are the Port of Saipan (Tanapag Harbor) and Saipan International Airport; Tinian and Rota have smaller ports and airports. The currency is the US dollar.
- Capital
- Saipan
- Population
- 47,329
- Area
- 464 km²
- Currency
- US Dollar
- Continent
- Oceania
- Region
- Pacific / Micronesia
- Economic area
- US territory outside the US customs territory
- Religions
- Christianity
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Air · Road
- Current situation
- Supply mainly by sea and air freight via Guam and Asian ports; tourism and US military presence shape demand.
- Seasonal conditions
- Tropical climate with typhoon season roughly July to November; tropical cyclones can severely disrupt ports, air operations and power supply.
Main seaports
- Saipan
Saipan (MP SPN): principal seaport of the Northern Mariana Islands, run by the Commonwealth Ports Authority. Container, bulk and fuel; feeder from Guam. Served by Matson.
- Rota
Rota (MP ROP), Northern Mariana Islands: an open roadstead with minimal infrastructure and no liner service. Cargo routes via Saipan or Guam.
- Tinian
Tinian (MP TIQ): supply port in the Northern Marianas served by feeder from Guam and Saipan. Three piers; no direct international container handling.
Main cargo airports
- Saipan International AirportSPN
Saipan International (SPN), Francisco C. Ada: main Northern Marianas gateway, tourism-led. Belly and MACS inter-island cargo; international volumes via Guam (GUM).
- Rota International AirportROP
Rota Airport (ROP), southernmost Northern Marianas island: Star Marianas Air to Saipan and Guam. No cargo terminal; air freight via Saipan (SPN) and Guam (GUM).
- Tinian International AirportTIQ
Tinian International (TIQ), Northern Marianas: Star Marianas Air to Saipan, no cargo terminal. MACS inter-island freight; volumes via Saipan (SPN), Guam (GUM).
Road corridors
- Intra-island road network of Saipan, Tinian and Rota
Main trade lanes
- US mainland - Saipan
- Guam - Saipan
- Asia (CN/JP/KR/PH) - Saipan
Customs and import
Customs authority Division of Customs and Quarantine, CNMI Department of FinanceOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- The Northern Mariana Islands operate their own customs and quarantine system (outside the US customs territory). Import with Notice of Arrival (24h in advance), Cargo Manifest and Customs Form 1350.
- Export customs system
- Goods from the Northern Mariana Islands are not treated as exports when imported into the USA and receive the same tariff treatment as Guam. Export control under US federal law.
- Import VAT
- No VAT/sales tax. Instead, Excise Tax by product group (food 1 percent, standard 5 percent) plus Environmental Beautification Tax 0,42 percent; CIF valuation, exemption threshold 1000 USD.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Outside the US customs territory: goods originating in CNMI are duty-free on import into the USA if foreign content is at most 70 percent (textiles 50 percent), HTSUS General Note 3(a).
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Prohibited, among others, controlled substances, uncertified vehicles, used tires, prohibited pesticides, undeclared cash over 10000 USD; weapons, plants and animals require a permit.
Typical import documents
- Notice of Arrival
- Cargo Manifest
- Bill of Lading
- CNMI Customs Form 1350
- Commercial invoice
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Low to medium
- E-commerce relevance
- Medium
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Food
- Petroleum products
- Consumer goods
- Building materials
- Vehicles
Top export goods
- Re-exports
- Services
Typical cargo
- Food
- Consumer goods
- Petroleum products and fuel
- Building materials
- Vehicles
Logistics questions
Are the Northern Mariana Islands part of the US customs territory?
No. The CNMI are a US territory outside the US customs territory and operate their own customs system through the Division of Customs and Quarantine.
Is there a value-added tax?
No. Instead of a VAT/sales tax, an Excise Tax is levied by product group (food 1 percent, standard rate 5 percent), plus an Environmental Beautification Tax of 0,42 percent.
How is the import tax calculated?
The Excise Tax is based on the CIF value. For personal, non-commercial imports, an exemption threshold of 1000 USD per shipment applies.
Are goods from the Northern Mariana Islands duty-free in the USA?
Yes, if at most 70 percent of the value comes from foreign material (50 percent for textiles), according to HTSUS General Note 3(a). Otherwise, normal US tariff rates apply.
Which ports and airports are relevant?
The main transshipment point is the Port of Saipan (Tanapag Harbor) with the Saipan International Airport (SPN). Tinian and Rota have smaller ports and airports.
Which documents are required for import?
Among others: Notice of Arrival (24 hours in advance), Cargo Manifest, Bill of Lading, CNMI Customs Form 1350 and a commercial invoice.
Which goods are prohibited or subject to permit?
Prohibited, among others, are controlled substances, uncertified vehicles, used tires and prohibited pesticides. Weapons, plants and animals require a permit.
Which currency applies?
The legal tender is the US dollar (USD), which simplifies trade and price comparisons with the USA.
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Powered by Freight Academy, verified 27 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.