Sao Tome and Principe: sanctions and trade risk

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As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 0 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Sao Tome and Principe.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

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Logistics profile

Sao Tome and Principe: logistics and trade

Island state in the Gulf of Guinea; cocoa exporter with a supply heavily dependent on imports

São Tomé and Príncipe (ISO code: ST) is an island state in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Central Africa, about 250 km from Gabon, made up of the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe and several islets. It is a presidential democracy and a member of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), and a signatory of the AfCFTA. The climate is tropical and humid, with a main rainy season from October to May and a short dry season (gravana) from June to September. The economy rests on agriculture (above all cocoa), fisheries, tourism and services, while fuel, food, machinery and consumer goods are almost entirely imported. Logistically the country relies on the port of Ana Chaves near São Tomé, the port of Santo António on Príncipe and São Tomé International Airport (TMS). Because of shallow depth at Ana Chaves, larger vessels anchor offshore and cargo is lightered or fed via regional hubs; a deep-water port at Fernão Dias is planned. Since 1 June 2023 imports carry 15 percent VAT (IVA) plus tiered customs duties, cleared electronically through ASYCUDA World. The currency is the dobra (STN), pegged to the euro since 2010 at 1 EUR = 24.5 STN. Having graduated from least developed country status in December 2024, the country keeps duty-free EU access under Everything But Arms during a transition until 2029.

Capital: São Tomé
Population: 235,536
Area: 1,001 km²
Currency: São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN)
Continent: Africa
Region: Central Africa / Gulf of Guinea
Economic area: ECCAS (CEEAC) / CPLP / AfCFTA
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation: In 2022 the SAFEBOND consortium received a 30-year port concession and is to build the deep-water port Fernão Dias (about 16 m draft). ASYCUDA World 4.4 has been in operation since May 2025.
Seasonal conditions: Tropical humid equatorial climate; main rainy season from October to May with heavy rainfall that can affect roads and cargo handling. Short dry season (Gravana) from June to September.

Main seaports

Santo Antonio
Santo Antonio (ST SAA), Príncipe Island's small supply port: general cargo, basic container handling, alternatives via São Tomé. Goods, hinterland and customs.
Sao Tome
São Tomé (ST TMS) in Ana Chaves Bay is the island nation's main port: break-bulk, dry bulk and containers via Lisbon feeders. Goods, hinterland and alternatives.

Main cargo airports

São Tomé International AirportTMS
São Tomé International Airport (TMS/FPST): the country's only international gateway, belly cargo only, served by TAP, Afrijet and ASKY; alternatives LBV and LAD.
Principe AirportPCP
Príncipe (PCP): small domestic strip on Príncipe island, light aircraft from São Tomé only. No cargo — air freight routes via TMS, Lisbon and Lomé.

Road corridors

São Tomé - Airport - Trindade
São Tomé - Neves (northwest coast)
Coastal road São Tomé - Santana

Main trade lanes

Portugal - São Tomé
Angola - São Tomé
Gabon - São Tomé
EU - São Tomé (cocoa export)

Customs and import

Customs authority Direcção das Alfândegas (Customs Directorate in the Ministry of Finance)

Import customs system: Electronic clearance via ASYCUDA World (version 4.4 since 1. May 2025) at the Direcção das Alfândegas; port operations by ENAPORT. Import duty according to a graduated tariff (about 5, 10 and 20 percent).
Export customs system: Export declaration also via ASYCUDA World at the Direcção das Alfândegas. The main export good is cocoa; as a former LDC, duty-free access to the EU exists under Everything But Arms.
Import VAT: VAT 15 percent (standard rate since 1. June 2023); basic foodstuffs reduced by 50 percent (effectively 7,5 percent). Levied on the customs value at import.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: As a former LDC, duty-free and quota-free EU market access under Everything But Arms (transition period until 1.1.2029 after LDC graduation on 13.12.2024). CEEAC and AfCFTA preferences; no agreement with Switzerland/EFTA.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Licensing and prohibition requirements, including for weapons and ammunition, narcotics, protected species (CITES) and certain foodstuffs, animals and plants (biosafety).

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Bill of lading (B/L or AWB)
Packing list
ASYCUDA import declaration
Certificate of origin
If applicable, health/phytosanitary certificate

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Bill of lading
Packing list
ASYCUDA export declaration
Origin declaration (EBA/REX)
Phytosanitary certificate (cocoa/agricultural)

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

Portugal China Angola Gabon France

Top export partners

Portugal Netherlands Belgium France Spain

Top import goods

Foodstuffs
Fuels
Consumer goods
Machinery
Vehicles

Top export goods

Cocoa
Coffee
Palm oil
Fish

Typical cargo

Cocoa (export)
Foodstuffs
Fuels
Consumer goods
Construction materials
Machinery and vehicles

Logistics questions

What is the import tax in São Tomé and Príncipe?

Since 1 June 2023 a value added tax (IVA) applies at a standard rate of 15 percent. Basic foodstuffs are reduced by 50 percent (effectively 7.5 percent). Tiered import duties of around 5, 10 and 20 percent apply on top, depending on the product category.

Which customs system does the country use?

Clearance is handled electronically through ASYCUDA World; version 4.4 has been live since 1 May 2025. The competent authority is the Direcção das Alfândegas within the finance ministry, while the state company ENAPORT operates the ports.

Which port is most important and what are the constraints?

The main port is Ana Chaves near São Tomé. Because of shallow depth (about 3 metres at the quay), larger vessels anchor offshore and cargo is lightered or fed via regional hubs. A deep-water port at Fernão Dias is planned.

Do exports to the EU benefit from tariff preferences?

Yes. Despite graduating from least developed country status on 13 December 2024, São Tomé and Príncipe keeps duty-free, quota-free EU market access under Everything But Arms during a transition until 1 January 2029. The main beneficiary export is cocoa.

Which currency is used in São Tomé and Príncipe?

The national currency is the dobra (STN), pegged to the euro since 1 January 2010 under an agreement with Portugal (1 EUR = 24.5 STN). On 1 January 2018 the currency was redenominated at a rate of 1000 to 1.

What air freight connections exist?

Air freight runs through São Tomé International Airport (TMS); the island of Príncipe has a smaller airport (PCP) for domestic traffic. Connections serve mainly Lisbon, Luanda and Libreville.

Which goods are mainly traded?

The leading export is cocoa, alongside coffee, palm oil and fish. Imports are dominated by fuels, food, machinery, vehicles and consumer goods. Key trading partners are Portugal, Angola and Gabon.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗