Venezuela: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeArms embargo and targeted listings; US measures on Venezuela's government eased by licences in 2026.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 58 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Venezuela.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

A sanctions programme concerning Venezuela is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.

Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Venezuela (14 Dec 2025) · OFAC — Venezuela-Related Sanctions (general licences list) (16 Oct 2026) · SECO — Massnahmen gegenüber Venezuela · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Check a shipment to Venezuela →

By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	—	No UN sanctions regime.
EU	Sanctions programme	Arms embargo, repression equipment, listings (renewed to Jan 2027).
Switzerland	Sanctions programme	Swiss ordinance on Venezuela in force.
UK	Sanctions programme	UK Venezuela regime.
US	Sanctions programme	Government of Venezuela and PdVSA blocked; broad general licences since 2026.

On the sanctions lists

58 entries on the official lists name Venezuela — 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)	53	53	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	2	2	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	2	2	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Venezuela recorded yet.

All updates →

Logistics profile

Venezuela: logistics and trade

Oil exporter / Caribbean transshipment point

Venezuela (ISO code: VE) lies in northern South America on the Caribbean, bordering Colombia, Brazil and Guyana. Since January 2026 the country has been governed by a transitional administration under Delcy Rodríguez after the removal of Nicolás Maduro, amid continuing political and economic challenges. The climate ranges from tropical savanna in the north to humid rainforest in the south and semi-arid conditions in the northwest. Venezuela holds some of the world's largest oil and gas reserves, and crude oil and petrochemicals historically make up most of its exports and state revenue; mining and agriculture also play a role. The country depends heavily on imports of machinery, consumer goods and technology. Key seaports include La Guaira, Puerto Cabello and Maracaibo, complemented by international airports and road links that position Venezuela as a regional transhipment point on Caribbean trade routes. The currency is the Venezuelan bolívar (VES), which remains highly volatile.

Capital: Caracas
Population: 28,405,543
Area: 916,445 km²
Currency: Venezuelan bolívar (VES)
Continent: South America
Region: South America / Caribbean
Economic area: No active customs union; Mercosur membership suspended since 2016, ALADI member
Religions: Catholic, Evangelical, Spiritist, Other
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road · Pipeline

Current situation: The framework conditions remain volatile.
Seasonal conditions: Tropical climate with rainy season (May-November) and dry season; heavy rain and landslide risk on the coastal cordillera (e.g. state of Vargas/La Guaira); hurricanes rarely affect the mainland.

Main seaports

Puerto Cabello
Puerto Cabello (VEPBL): Venezuela's largest port, cargo up 46.66% in early 2026. Containers, bulk, chemicals, oil; main customs port since La Guaira closed.
La Guaira
La Guaira (VELAG): Venezuela's second-largest port and container gateway for Caracas, around 400,000 TEU with full customs. Alternatives: Puerto Cabello, Maracaibo.
Maracaibo
Maracaibo (VEMAR), Venezuela: outlet for oil, grain and general cargo on Lake Maracaibo. Shallow draft limits containers; alternatives Puerto Cabello and La Guaira.
Guanta
Guanta (VE GUT) near Puerto La Cruz: deep-water port for oil-industry gear, breakbulk, containers and mining transit (ore, bauxite, gold).
Puerto La Cruz
Puerto La Cruz (VE PCZ) is an oil port on Venezuela's Caribbean coast: crude and refined products via Guaraguao; containers route through Puerto Cabello.
Puerto Ordaz
Puerto Ordaz (VE PZO): Orinoco river port exporting iron ore, steel and aluminium via CVG Ferrominera. Bulk cargo, not containers. Alternative: Puerto Cabello.

Road corridors

Regional Central Highway (Caracas-Valencia)
Caracas-La Guaira Highway
Trunk Road 1 / Pan-American Highway
San Cristóbal border with Colombia (towards Cúcuta)

Inland ports

Ciudad Guayana / Puerto Ordaz (Orinoco)
Ciudad Bolívar (Orinoco)

Main trade lanes

Venezuela-China
Venezuela-USA
Venezuela-Brazil
Venezuela-Colombia
Venezuela-Spain

Customs and import

Customs authority Servicio Nacional Integrado de Administración Aduanera y Tributaria (SENIAT)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic customs processing via SIDUNEA World (ASYCUDA) of SENIAT; import declaration as DUA (Declaración Única Aduanera) by an authorized customs agent.
Export customs system: Export declaration is also electronic via SIDUNEA World (DUA) at SENIAT; for many goods, registration and currency requirements must be observed.
Import VAT: General IVA rate of 16 percent on CIF value plus customs duty; reduced rate of 8 percent (including basic foodstuffs), additional luxury surcharge of 15 percent (SENIAT).
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Certificates of origin for ALADI preferences and bilateral agreements (including with ALBA states); no preferential agreements with the EU or EFTA.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import and export restrictions, including for weapons, ammunition, narcotics, certain foodstuffs and foreign currency; many goods require a license or permit.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of Lading / Air waybill
DUA (SIDUNEA import declaration)
Proof of origin
if applicable: import license / Certificado de No Producción Nacional

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of Lading / Air waybill
DUA (SIDUNEA export declaration)
Certificate of origin

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

China United States Brazil Colombia Mexico

Top export partners

United States China Spain Brazil Türkiye

Top import goods

Machinery
Electronic equipment
Pharmaceuticals
Mineral oils
Components

Top export goods

Petrochemical products
Organic chemicals
Iron
Crustaceans
Derivatives

Typical cargo

Crude oil
Petroleum products / petrochemicals
Organic chemicals
Iron ore and steel
Aluminum
Machinery (imports)
Consumer and food products (imports)

Logistics questions

What is the import tax (IVA) rate in Venezuela?

The general IVA rate is 16 percent on the CIF value plus customs duties and other charges. A reduced rate of 8 percent applies to certain goods such as basic foodstuffs; an additional surcharge of 15 percent is levied on luxury goods (SENIAT).

Which customs system does Venezuela use?

SENIAT processes imports and exports electronically via SIDUNEA World (ASYCUDA of UNCTAD). An authorized customs agent submits the Declaración Única Aduanera (DUA) together with supporting documents; goods are classified according to the Harmonized System.

What are Venezuela's most important ports?

The largest port is Puerto Cabello, followed by La Guaira (container port for Caracas) and Maracaibo in the west. Puerto La Cruz/Guanta and the Orinoco ports in Ciudad Guayana are important for oil, petrochemicals and raw materials.

Which currency is used in Venezuela?

The legal tender is the Venezuelan bolívar (VES), which continues to fluctuate strongly. In business dealings and price setting, the US dollar is in fact widely used.

Which airport handles air cargo?

The main air cargo hub is Aeropuerto Internacional de Maiquetía Simón Bolívar (CCS/SVMI) near Caracas, with its own cargo terminal. La Chinita in Maracaibo and Arturo Michelena in Valencia also serve air freight traffic.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗