Promote:
Export from Antigua and Barbuda
A short guide for companies selling from Antigua and Barbuda: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Antigua and Barbuda sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$33.4 million
Merchandise exports were US$33,361,871.4 in 2024, as Antigua and Barbuda reports them to UN Comtrade (flow X, which includes re-exports).
Source: UN Comtrade, Antigua and Barbuda exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Services exports
US$1.21 billion
Services exports were US$1,211.43 million in 2025, on the WTO-UNCTAD-ITC basis published by UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, trade in services by category, Antigua and Barbuda (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2024
- 1. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$7.04 million
- 2. Lobster and other crustaceans (HS 0306)US$3.74 million
- 3. Rum and other spirits (HS 2208)US$1.9 million
- 4. Radio and television transmission equipment (HS 8525)US$1.55 million
- 5. Prepared food products (HS 2106)US$1.23 million
- 6. Sails, awnings and tents (HS 6306)US$1.14 million
- 7. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$1.08 million
- 8. Iron and steel articles (HS 7326)US$949,671
Show 12 more products
- 9. Yachts and pleasure boats (HS 8903)US$751,166
- 10. Swimwear and sportswear (HS 6211)US$696,593
- 11. Jewelry (HS 7113)US$640,483
- 12. Women's suits and dresses (HS 6204)US$559,903
- 13. Electrical switches and connectors (HS 8536)US$427,413
- 14. Medicines in measured doses (HS 3004)US$376,818
- 15. Travel bags and cases (HS 4202)US$349,030
- 16. Furniture (HS 9403)US$324,590
- 17. Paints and varnishes (HS 3209)US$287,155
- 18. Men's knitted clothing (HS 6103)US$254,985
- 19. Lifting and handling machinery (HS 8428)US$235,438
- 20. Taps and valves (HS 8481)US$218,587
- Re-exports are 86.1 percent of 2024 merchandise exports, so most ranked lines are goods shipped on rather than made locally; each line's note gives its re-export share. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Antigua and Barbuda exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Where the goods go
2024, share of goods exports
- United States19.2%
- Sint Maarten10.8%
- China9.8%
- Saint Kitts and Nevis9.5%
- Netherlands7.7%
- United Kingdom7.2%
- France5.6%
- Saint Lucia4.2%
- Re-exports are 86.1 percent of 2024 exports, so destination shares mostly follow goods shipped on rather than goods made locally. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Antigua and Barbuda exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks lobster and other crustaceans, rum and other spirits and prepared food products as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Antigua and Barbuda’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Antigua and Barbuda exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Lobster and other crustaceans grew 14% from 2023 to 2024. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: UN Comtrade, Antigua and Barbuda exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
CARICOM and the CSME
A seller can ship CARICOM-origin goods duty-free to other member states with a certificate of origin.
Rules-based preference; goods must meet CARICOM rules of origin, and the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas sets the single market.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
OECS Economic Union
Antigua and Barbuda is a founding member of the OECS, whose Economic Union aims to move goods, services and people freely.
Rules-based preference; goods must meet the regional rules of origin, so confirm the treatment with Customs before you ship.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can export to the European Union with duty-free, quota-free access for CARIFORUM products.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; origin rules apply.
Source: European Commission, trade relations with the Caribbean (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
United Kingdom-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can export to the United Kingdom under the partnership agreement that rolled over the European Union terms.
Rules-based preference; GOV.UK lists it as provisionally applied, and origin rules apply.
Source: GOV.UK, trade with the CARIFORUM States, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more agreements
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA)
A seller can export qualifying goods to the United States under a program that lists Antigua and Barbuda as a beneficiary.
Preference only; it does not remove other United States duties, so check current tariff actions before you quote.
Source: USTR, Caribbean Basin Initiative page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)
Antigua and Barbuda is not among the eight countries USTR lists as CBTPA beneficiaries.
The extra apparel benefits of this program do not apply to goods from Antigua and Barbuda.
Source: USTR, Caribbean Basin Initiative page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
CARIBCAN
A seller can export eligible goods to Canada under the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff, which Canada's 2026 list grants Antigua and Barbuda.
Rules-based preference; goods must meet the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff rules of origin.
Source: Canada Border Services Agency, Customs Tariff country list, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 1, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Antigua and Barbuda
- Register the business with ABIPCO, which keeps the register of companies and business names.Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property and Commerce OfficeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
- Get a tax identification number from the Inland Revenue Department; Customs asks for it when you apply for an ASYCUDA World account.Inland Revenue DepartmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Customs and Excise Division, ASYCUDA registration form, 2016 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 20, 2016
- Apply to Customs for an ASYCUDA World account as an importer or exporter, so you or your broker can file declarations.Customs and Excise DivisionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Customs and Excise Division, ASYCUDA registration form, 2016 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 20, 2016
- For animals, animal products or plants, ask the Veterinary and Livestock Division or the Plant Protection Unit for the health or phytosanitary certificate your buyer needs.Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue EconomyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Agriculture Ministry, Veterinary and Livestock Division page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 5 more export steps
- Ask the Bureau of Standards whether the Minister has ordered technical regulations for your goods before they can be exported.Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of StandardsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Standards Act, 2017 (Ministry of Legal Affairs) (opens in a new tab) · as of March 15, 2018
- When you claim a preference, attach a certificate of origin to the export declaration, and ask Customs which body issues it for your market.Customs and Excise DivisionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
- Give the Customs boarding office 24 hours of notice, show proof of ownership, and file the declaration; containers are packed and sealed in front of a Customs officer.Customs and Excise DivisionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Customs and Excise Division, export procedure, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Pay the export duty if you ship local lobsters or fish, within 72 hours of export.Customs and Excise Division72 hours to pay after exportOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Export Duty Act, Cap. 162 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Arrange payment so it reaches a resident of Antigua and Barbuda within six months of export where the Exchange Control Act applies.Financial SecretarySix months from exportOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Exchange Control Act, Cap. 157 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Customs and Excise and NBS. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Research markets
National statistics office
NBS
National Bureau of Statistics
Publishes consumer prices, merchandise trade, national accounts and population statistics.
Visit NBS (opens in a new tab)Source: National Bureau of Statistics, key indicators, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Regional trade promotion agency
Caribbean Export
Caribbean Export Development Agency
Regional body
Offers Caribbean exporters grants, training, an exporters toolkit and a trade and market intelligence portal.
Visit Caribbean Export (opens in a new tab)Source: Caribbean Export, exporters toolkit, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Research markets
Multilateral trade body
WTO
World Trade Organization
Multilateral body
Publishes trade policy reviews, and Trade4MSMEs for small businesses.
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs and Excise
Customs and Excise Division
Processes export declarations in ASYCUDA World and publishes export procedures and customs laws.
Visit Customs and Excise (opens in a new tab)Source: Customs and Excise Division, export procedure, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue Department
Issues tax identification numbers and administers corporate income tax and the sales tax.
Visit Inland Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Inland Revenue, corporate income tax registration guide, 2021 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Agriculture and fisheries ministry
Agriculture Ministry
Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy
Runs the Plant Protection Unit, the national plant protection organization, and the Veterinary and Livestock Division, which certifies animal health.
Visit Agriculture Ministry (opens in a new tab)Source: Agriculture Ministry, Plant Protection Unit page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Financial services regulator
FSRC
Financial Services Regulatory Commission
Regulates international business corporations, banking, trusts, insurance and money services.
Visit FSRC (opens in a new tab)Source: Financial Services Regulatory Commission, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
National standards body
ABBS
Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards
Is the national standards body, a body corporate continued under the Standards Act of 2017.
Visit ABBS (opens in a new tab)Source: Standards Act, 2017 (Ministry of Legal Affairs) (opens in a new tab) · as of March 15, 2018
- Meet requirements
Regional standards organization
CROSQ
CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality
Regional body
Develops regional standards, and its member profile lists the national standards bureau.
Visit CROSQ (opens in a new tab)Source: CROSQ, Antigua and Barbuda member profile (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Tourism business association
ABHTA
Antigua Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association
Represents hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses, and runs training and a trade showcase.
Visit ABHTA (opens in a new tab)Source: Hotels and Tourism Association, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Re-export reliance
Re-exports were 86.1 percent of 2024 merchandise exports in UN Comtrade data, and domestic exports were EC$6.27 million for January to July 2026.
What to do: Check whether your goods count as domestic exports or re-exports before you quote export figures to a buyer.
Sources: UN Comtrade, Antigua and Barbuda re-exports total, 2024 (opens in a new tab); National Bureau of Statistics, key indicators, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Export duty on seafood
The Export Duty Act sets duty on local lobsters at 50 cents a pound and local fish at 10 cents a pound, and Cabinet can change it by order.
What to do: Confirm the current duty with Customs before you price seafood for export.
Sources: Export Duty Act, Cap. 162 (opens in a new tab); WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Currency and settlement
The Exchange Control Act bars exports to prescribed territories unless payment reaches a resident within six months, unless the Financial Secretary permits otherwise.
What to do: Ask Customs which destinations are prescribed and keep proof of payment dates.
Source: Exchange Control Act, Cap. 157 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Climate and water
The 2026 budget statement makes climate resilience a 2026 priority, citing Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Beryl in 2024 and Melissa in 2025.
What to do: Check hurricane-season delivery, insurance and supplier arrangements before you commit to dates.
Source: Antigua and Barbuda, 2026 Budget Statement, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more
Public debt and arrears
The IMF staff estimate says public debt fell from about 100 percent of GDP in 2020 to 67 percent in 2024.
What to do: Read the latest IMF report and budget before you rely on government payments or incentives.
Source: IMF, Antigua and Barbuda Article IV, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Antigua and Barbuda is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.