Suriname: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 6 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Suriname.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

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

Check a shipment to Suriname →

On the sanctions lists

6 entries on the official lists name Suriname — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	6	6	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Suriname recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Suriname: logistics and trade

Commodity exporter (gold, petroleum, timber); CARICOM member rising to become an offshore oil hub (Block 58)

Suriname (ISO code: SR) lies in north-eastern South America, bordering French Guiana, Guyana, Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a presidential republic. The climate is tropical and humid, with a main rainy season from April to August and a shorter one from November to January. The economy rests on mining, agriculture, fisheries and energy, with gold, oil, bauxite and timber especially important. Suriname exports mineral commodities, agricultural products and energy while depending heavily on imports of consumer goods, machinery and industrial products. Logistically the country relies on the river port of Paramaribo, international airports and a road and river network linking the interior and neighbouring countries. The currency is the Surinamese dollar (SRD). As a CARICOM member, Suriname applies the common external tariff; the offshore Block 58 oil project (first oil expected 2028) is set to drive major logistics investment.

Capital: Paramaribo
Population: 634,431
Area: 163,820 km²
Currency: Surinamese dollar (SRD)
Continent: South America
Region: Caribbean / Guianas (CARICOM)
Economic area: CARICOM / CSME
Religions: Catholic, Protestant, Hinduism, Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road · Inland waterway

Current situation: Offshore oil project GranMorgu (Block 58; TotalEnergies, APA, Staatsolie) with investment decision 2024 and first oil from 2028 is likely to significantly expand port, air and supply logistics.
Seasonal conditions: Tropical humid; major rainy season April to August, minor rainy season November to January. Heavy rain can affect inland roads and river logistics.

Main seaports

Nieuw Nickerie
Nieuw Nickerie (SR ICK) is Suriname's rice-district river port exporting rice and bananas; no container line, boxes route via Paramaribo.
Paranam
Paranam (SR PRM): bauxite and alumina works port on the Suriname River. Much reduced since the 2015 refinery closure; general cargo via Paramaribo.
Moengo
Moengo (SR MOJ) on the Cottica is a historic bauxite port, now a private river port; containers and customs run via Nieuwe Haven in Paramaribo.
Paramaribo
Paramaribo (SR PBM), Suriname's main port on the Suriname River: DP World container terminal, about 100,000 TEU a year, plus breakbulk and reefer.

Road corridors

East-West Connection (Nieuw Nickerie - Paramaribo - Albina)
Paramaribo - Zanderij Highway (airport)

Inland ports

Paranam (Suriname River)
Moengo (Cottica)
Nieuw Nickerie (Nickerie)

Main trade lanes

Suriname - Netherlands
Suriname - USA
Suriname - China
Suriname - Trinidad and Tobago
Suriname - Brazil

Customs and import

Customs authority Douane Suriname (Belastingdienst)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic clearance via ASYCUDA World; import declaration via Single Administrative Document by a licensed customs agent. Import duty according to the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET, 0 to 40 percent).
Export customs system: Export declaration also via ASYCUDA World by a licensed customs agent; for gold and petroleum exports, additional sector-specific permits.
Import VAT: VAT (BTW) standard rate 10 percent; 0 percent and exemptions depending on product group, 25 percent on luxury goods. Assessed on customs value plus import duty and excise duties.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: CARICOM certificate of origin for preferences in the CARICOM single market. CARIFORUM-EU EPA 2008 signed, but not yet ratified by Suriname. No agreement with Switzerland and EFTA.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import and permit requirements, inter alia, for weapons and ammunition, medicines, food and plants (health/phytosanitary certificates). The gold and petroleum sector is subject to state supervision.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Transport document (Bill of Lading / AWB)
Packing list
Single Administrative Document (ASYCUDA)
Import license (H-99) if required
Health/phytosanitary certificate if required

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Transport document
Packing list
Export declaration (ASYCUDA)
CARICOM certificate of origin
Sector permit (gold / petroleum) if required

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

China United States Netherlands Trinidad and Tobago Brazil

Top export partners

Switzerland United Arab Emirates Belgium United States China

Top import goods

Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Electronic devices
Food

Top export goods

Gold
Aluminum
Petroleum products
Wood products
Agricultural products

Typical cargo

Gold
Petroleum and petroleum products
Timber
Agricultural products
Machinery and consumer goods (import)

Logistics questions

Which import tax applies in Suriname?

Imports are subject to BTW (value added tax) at a standard rate of 10 percent, assessed on the customs value plus import duty and excise duties. Certain goods are subject to 0 percent or are exempt, and luxury goods are subject to 25 percent. BTW replaced the former turnover tax in 2023.

What are the import duty rates?

Suriname applies the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET) as a CARICOM member. Goods from CARICOM states are often duty-free up to around 20 percent; rates for third countries usually range between 0 and 40 percent, averaging around 30 to 40 percent for consumer goods.

Which customs authority is responsible and which system is used?

The responsible authority is Douane Suriname under the Belastingdienst. Clearance is handled electronically via ASYCUDA World; declarations are filed using the Single Administrative Document by a licensed customs agent.

Which port handles sea traffic?

The most important seaport is the river port of Paramaribo (Dr. Jules Sedney Haven, formerly Nieuwe Haven) on the Suriname River, operated by N.V. Havenbeheer Suriname. There are also ports in Nieuw Nickerie, Paranam and Moengo. Draught is limited by the river location.

Which airport handles air cargo?

International air cargo runs through Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM / SMJP) near Zanderij, about 45 kilometres south of Paramaribo, which has its own cargo terminal. Zorg en Hoop Airport serves domestic traffic.

Which documents are required for import?

The following are generally required: commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill, packing list and the ASYCUDA declaration (Single Administrative Document). Depending on the goods, an import licence (form H-99) as well as health or plant certificates may also be needed.

Which development is shaping logistics in Suriname?

The offshore oil project Block 58 (GranMorgu) with TotalEnergies, APA and Staatsolie received its final investment decision in 2024; first oil is expected in 2028. The project is likely to significantly expand port, air cargo and supply logistics.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗