Promote:
Export from Cabo Verde
A short guide for companies selling from Cabo Verde: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Cabo Verde sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$80.9 million
Merchandise exports were US$80.9 million in 2025, as reported to UN Comtrade.
Source: UN Comtrade, Cabo Verde exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exports
US$939.9 million
Services exports were US$939.93 million in 2025.
Source: UNCTADstat, WTO-UNCTAD-ITC trade in services, Cabo Verde, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Prepared and canned fish (HS 1604)US$70.6 million
- 2. Footwear parts and insoles (HS 6406)US$3.19 million
- 3. Knitted T-shirts and vests (HS 6109)US$1.62 million
- 4. Men's underwear and nightwear (HS 6107)US$1.49 million
- 5. Men's suits and trousers (HS 6203)US$1.33 million
- 6. Fishing tackle (HS 9507)US$1.2 million
- 7. Fish meal and pellets (HS 2301)US$988,635
- 8. Other knitted garments (HS 6114)US$170,356
Show 10 more products
- 9. Fish oils and fats (HS 1504)US$125,927
- 10. Tracksuits and swimwear (HS 6211)US$90,101
- 11. Women's suits and dresses (HS 6204)US$81,189
- 12. Women's underwear and nightwear (HS 6108)US$18,062
- 13. Women's coats and jackets (HS 6202)US$11,242
- 14. Men's coats and jackets (HS 6201)US$8,802
- 15. Hats and headgear (HS 6505)US$4,666
- 16. Knitted clothing accessories (HS 6117)US$3,833
- 17. Laboratory reagents (HS 3822)US$1,278
- 18. Specialized containers (HS 8609)US$1,024
- Prepared fish (HS 1604) is 87.2 percent of 2025 exports, so the ranking follows one product. Source (opens in a new tab)
- UN Comtrade holds no re-export records for Cabo Verde, and INE reports re-exports apart from exports; neither re-export figure is in this ranking. Source (opens in a new tab)
- INE's national totals are in escudos and this ranking uses UN Comtrade values in dollars, so the two are not compared. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Cabo Verde exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- Spain75.2%
- Italy13.4%
- Portugal10.3%
- United States0.8%
- Libya0.2%
- Israel0.1%
- Spain, Italy and Portugal took 98.9 percent of 2025 exports, following sales of prepared fish. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Cabo Verde exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- Only seven product lines reach 0.5 percent of 2025 exports and US$50,000, so the list is short and not padded. Source (opens in a new tab)
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks prepared and canned fish, footwear parts and insoles and knitted T-shirts and vests as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Cabo Verde’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Cabo Verde exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Prepared and canned fish grew 23% from 2024 to 2025; footwear parts and insoles grew 17% from 2024 to 2025. 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, Cabo Verde exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
Spain takes 75.2% of Cabo Verde’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, Cabo Verde exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 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.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Lets sellers use African Continental Free Trade Area tariff cuts on goods traded with other member states once concessions apply.
As of 2025, per the WTO review, Cabo Verde had not published its provisional tariff concessions, so check before you rely on it.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS)
Approved companies can export approved products duty free to other ECOWAS member states.
Companies and products need approval and origin proof, and only one approved company exported as of 2025.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
European Union Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+)
Cabo Verdean goods that meet origin rules can enter the European Union duty free and quota free.
Exporters must be registered in REX, and Regulation (EU) 2026/1395 applies new GSP rules from January 1, 2027, so confirm Cabo Verde's status under them.
Source: European Commission, Generalised Scheme of Preferences page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)
Goods that meet origin rules enter the United Kingdom at reduced or zero tariffs under the scheme's enhanced preference tier.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; confirm the tier and the rate before you quote.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023
Show 2 more agreements
AGOA
Eligible Cabo Verdean goods can enter the United States duty free under AGOA, the United States' trade preference program for eligible African countries.
As of June 2026 Cabo Verde was designated for 2026, and the program runs to December 31, 2028; designation is reviewed each year.
Source: Federal Register, USTR AGOA eligibility review, June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
European Union-West Africa Economic Partnership Agreement
Would give West African goods duty-free, quota-free entry to the European Union once it applies to Cabo Verde.
Cabo Verde signed in 2014, but the agreement has not been implemented; exporters use the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus instead.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Cabo Verde
- Form a company with wholesale trade as its activity, starting with a firm-name admissibility certificate.Câmara de Comércio de SotaventoFirm-name certificate costs CVE 600Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Cabo Verde, Foreign Trade Manual, January 2022 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Apply to a chamber of commerce for an export license, with company and manager documents.Câmara de Comércio de SotaventoFixed fee of CVE 20,000Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Cabo Verde Foreign Trade Portal, commercial licensing (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Check export bans and restrictions on protected species, copper and aluminum wire, and precious metals.Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira de Cabo Verde, I.P.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
- Ask a chamber of commerce for the certificate of origin or registered exporter authorization your buyer needs.Câmara de Comércio de BarlaventoOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Câmara de Comércio de Barlavento, licensing and certificates (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 5 more export steps
- Check national and ECOWAS standards and certification needs with the standards institute.Instituto de Gestão da Qualidade e da Propriedade IntelectualOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
- For plants and animal products, request the sanitary or plant health certificate.Direção Geral da Agricultura, Silvicultura e PecuáriaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
- For fish, request the sanitary certificate and the capture certificate.Inspeção Geral das Pescas48 hours ahead for fresh fish; one week ahead for frozen or canned fishOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
- Have an official customs broker register the export declaration in the SYDONIA system.Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira de Cabo Verde, I.P.Customs statistics fee of CVE 5,000; about 3 business days without interruptionsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Cabo Verde Foreign Trade Portal, export procedure (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Claim the export exemption from value added tax and the corporate tax deduction for certification costs.Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira de Cabo Verde, I.P.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with CVTI, ATCV and INE. 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
- Get advice
Investment and export promotion agency
CVTI
Cabo Verde TradeInvest
Promotes investment and exports and runs a one-stop shop for investors.
Visit CVTI (opens in a new tab)Source: Cabo Verde TradeInvest, home page (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
INE
Instituto Nacional de Estatística
Publishes foreign trade and consumer price statistics.
Visit INE (opens in a new tab)Source: INE Cabo Verde, foreign trade statistics, 2025 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of March 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Research markets
Continental trade secretariat
AfCFTA Secretariat
Multilateral body
Runs the African Continental Free Trade Area and publishes its tariff book and guided trade program.
Visit AfCFTA Secretariat (opens in a new tab)Source: AfCFTA Secretariat, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
Regional economic community
ECOWAS
Economic Community of West African States
Regional body
Runs the trade liberalization scheme, the common external tariff and free movement rules for West Africa.
Visit ECOWAS (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
ATCV
Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira de Cabo Verde, I.P.
Collects taxes and customs duties and clears goods at the border.
Visit ATCV (opens in a new tab)Source: Boletim Oficial, tax and customs authority, November 2025 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2025
National ports company
ENAPOR
Empresa Nacional de Administração dos Portos, S.A. (ENAPOR, S.A.)
Manages nine national ports, whose tariffs cover container handling.
Visit ENAPOR (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
National standards body
IGQPI
Instituto de Gestão da Qualidade e da Propriedade Intelectual
Sells national standards, certifies products and registers trademarks.
Visit IGQPI (opens in a new tab)Source: IGQPI, home page (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Agriculture and animal health authority
DGASP
Direção Geral da Agricultura, Silvicultura e Pecuária
Issues sanitary and plant health certificates for exports other than fish.
Visit DGASP (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Fisheries inspection authority
IGP
Inspeção Geral das Pescas
Issues sanitary certificates and checks catch certificates for fish exports.
Visit IGP (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
CCS
Câmara de Comércio de Sotavento
Issues exporter and importer licenses and offers company creation counters.
Visit CCS (opens in a new tab)Source: Câmara de Comércio de Sotavento, commercial licensing (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
CCB
Câmara de Comércio de Barlavento
Issues commercial licenses and authorizes certificates of origin, including ECOWAS and the European Union's registered exporter system.
Visit CCB (opens in a new tab)Source: Câmara de Comércio de Barlavento, licensing and certificates (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Logistics and border performance
As of 2025, per the WTO review, a 2017 study found import clearance at the port of Praia averaged over six days.
What to do: Confirm clearance times with your customs broker before you promise delivery dates.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
Single window pending
As of February 2025, per the WTO review, traders still use separate platforms for licenses, declarations and duty payments, and the single window is due by July 2027.
What to do: Check the Foreign Trade Portal for the current steps before each shipment.
Sources: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab); Cabo Verde Foreign Trade Portal, export section (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
Concentrated export markets
In 2025, Spain, Italy and Portugal took 98.9 percent of exports reported to UN Comtrade, and prepared fish was 87.2 percent.
What to do: Compare other markets, including ECOWAS and the United States, before you set volumes.
Sources: UN Comtrade, Cabo Verde exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Cabo Verde exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2026
Currency and settlement
As of 2025, per the WTO review, the escudo is pegged to the euro at CVE 110.265 per euro, and foreign exchange operations linked to trade face no restriction.
What to do: Confirm payment terms and currency with your bank before you sign a contract.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Cabo Verde, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 9, 2025
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 Cabo Verde project.
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Promote:Cabo Verde 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.