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Promote:Aruba

Export from Aruba

A short guide for companies selling from Aruba: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.

1. What Aruba sells, and who buys it

Top goods exports

2023

  1. 1. Cigarettes and cigars (HS 2402)US$58.3 million
  2. 2. Spirits and liqueurs (HS 2208)US$11.6 million
  3. 3. Jewelry (HS 7113)US$7.47 million
  4. 4. Scrap iron and steel (HS 7204)US$6.14 million
  5. 5. Flavored and sweetened waters (HS 2202)US$2.84 million
  6. 6. Watches (HS 9102)US$1.56 million
  7. 7. Cosmetics and makeup (HS 3304)US$1.52 million
  8. 8. Scrap copper (HS 7404)US$980,393
Show 12 more products
  1. 9. Aluminum articles (HS 7616)US$877,064
  2. 10. Medical and dental instruments (HS 9018)US$790,711
  3. 11. Footwear (HS 6404)US$700,865
  4. 12. Orthopedic appliances (HS 9021)US$691,321
  5. 13. Travel goods and cases (HS 4202)US$647,441
  6. 14. Battery and electronic scrap (HS 8548)US$595,403
  7. 15. Bottled water (HS 2201)US$486,342
  8. 16. Soap (HS 3401)US$386,075
  9. 17. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$385,380
  10. 18. Imitation jewelry (HS 7117)US$334,634
  11. 19. Phones and telecom equipment (HS 8517)US$322,756
  12. 20. Eyeglasses and goggles (HS 9004)US$294,390
  • Flow X includes re-exports, and UN Comtrade holds no re-export flow for Aruba, so no line is split into re-exports. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)
  • UN Comtrade labels these values in United States dollars; the central bank's payments-based goods exports match neither reading, so the currency is not independently confirmed. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)
  • Cigarettes and cigars (HS 2402) were 52.5 percent of 2023 exports and the top three lines 69.7 percent; no official source read says whether they are made locally or re-exported. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, Aruba exports by product, 2023⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023

Where the goods go

2023, share of goods exports

  • Colombia46%
  • United States15.9%
  • Curaçao3.9%
  • Netherlands2.5%
  • Panama1.5%
  • UN Comtrade names six partners for 2023, and 30.3 percent of exports sit in an unspecified group, so shares are of the reported total. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, Aruba exports by destination, 2023⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023

2. What to look into next

Our reading

  • The research marks spirits and liqueurs, jewelry and flavored and sweetened waters as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Aruba’s top destinations overall.

    Source: UN Comtrade, Aruba exports by product, 2023⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

    Based on: Top goods exports

  • Flavored and sweetened waters grew 56% from 2022 to 2023; watches grew 24% from 2022 to 2023. 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, Aruba exports by product, 2023⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

    Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before

  • Colombia takes 46% of Aruba’s goods exports. If you sell there, its import rules and buyer channels come first; either way, compare at least one other market before you commit.

    Source: UN Comtrade, Aruba exports by destination, 2023⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

    Based on: Where the goods go

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.

  • Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764 on the association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union

    A seller can ship goods that originate in Aruba to the European Union free of import duty and without quantitative limits.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access: goods must meet the origin rules, and consignments above 10,000 euros need a registered exporter's statement on origin.

    Source: Council of the European Union, Decision 2021/1764, Official Journal text⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 7, 2021

  • Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA)

    Aruba is on the United States list of 17 CBERA beneficiary countries, so eligible Aruban goods can enter the United States duty-free.

    Rules-based preference with product exclusions; Aruba is not named in USTR's July 28, 2026 Section 301 notice, but check other United States tariffs before you quote.

    Source: United States Trade Representative, Caribbean Basin Initiative page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

  • United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)

    Aruba is not among the eight CBTPA beneficiaries, so that program has no added benefit for Aruban sellers.

    Based on the list USTR published, as read on the access date; check for later changes.

    Source: United States Trade Representative, Caribbean Basin Initiative page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

4. Steps to export

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Exporting from Aruba

  1. Register the business in the trade registry; every business in Aruba must register.Aruba Chamber of Commerce and IndustryOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Government of Aruba, register your business page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

  2. Hold a business license from the Minister of Economic Affairs unless an exemption applies.Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and IndustryOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Government of Aruba, business license page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

  3. Check whether a national decree bans or restricts the export of your goods.Departamento di AduanaOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Departamento di Aduana (Customs), Export Prohibitions Ordinance (in Dutch)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of May 5, 2017

  4. File a written export declaration on the Single Document form in ASYCUDA World.Departamento di AduanaOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Departamento di Aduana (Customs), exporting goods page (in Dutch)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

Show 3 more export steps
  1. To claim duty-free entry to the European Union, apply to Customs for origin status and ask how to register as an exporter for statements on origin.Departamento di AduanaOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: European Union Council, overseas association origin rules, Annex II⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 7, 2021

  2. Show goods sold to buyers outside Aruba as exempt on the turnover tax return.Departamento di ImpuestoOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Departamento di Impuesto (Tax Department), turnover tax exemptions (in Dutch)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

  3. Receive export payments through a bank; a general license covers incoming transfers by resident companies from foreign accounts.Centrale Bank van ArubaOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Centrale Bank van Aruba, foreign exchange transactions page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

5. Organizations that help exporters

Start with DEZHI and Customs. 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

Show 1 more organization

Customs and tax

Standards and sector requirements

Show 1 more organization

Chambers and industry associations

6. Worth knowing

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.

Turn this guide into your Aruba project.

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Promote:Aruba 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 November 1, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.