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Promote:Nicaragua

Export from Nicaragua

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

1. What Nicaragua sells, and who buys it

Top goods exports

2025

  1. 1. Gold (HS 7108)US$1.97 billion
  2. 2. Coffee (HS 0901)US$921 million
  3. 3. T-shirts and knit tops (HS 6109)US$904.9 million
  4. 4. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$888.9 million
  5. 5. Fresh beef (HS 0201)US$507 million
  6. 6. Frozen beef (HS 0202)US$453.8 million
  7. 7. Cigars and cigarettes (HS 2402)US$446.8 million
  8. 8. Sweaters and pullovers (HS 6110)US$312.5 million
Show 12 more products
  1. 9. Cheese and curd (HS 0406)US$216.7 million
  2. 10. Cane sugar (HS 1701)US$165.9 million
  3. 11. Lobster, shrimp and other crustaceans (HS 0306)US$142.7 million
  4. 12. Men's woven suits and trousers (HS 6203)US$138.6 million
  5. 13. Dried beans and other pulses (HS 0713)US$125.1 million
  6. 14. Peanuts (HS 1202)US$107.3 million
  7. 15. Women's knit blouses (HS 6106)US$96.3 million
  8. 16. Men's knit suits and trousers (HS 6103)US$71.9 million
  9. 17. Men's woven shirts (HS 6205)US$68.4 million
  10. 18. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$57.3 million
  11. 19. Bananas and plantains (HS 0803)US$54.6 million
  12. 20. Women's knit suits and dresses (HS 6104)US$53.8 million

Source: UN Comtrade, Nicaragua exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

Where the goods go

2025, share of goods exports

  • United States46.3%
  • Mexico12.2%
  • Canada10.7%
  • El Salvador6.1%
  • Honduras5.4%
  • Belgium2.4%
  • Costa Rica2.3%
  • Guatemala1.7%

Source: UN Comtrade, Nicaragua exports by destination, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

2. What to look into next

Our reading

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.

  • Central American Common Market (General Treaty on Central American Economic Integration)

    Originating goods move among the Central American members with a single customs form, the DUCA-F, issued by VUCEN.

    Rules-based preference; check the exclusion lists and the origin rules before you ship.

    Source: Corporación de Zonas Francas, trade treaties page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 16, 2026

  • Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)

    Lets qualifying Nicaraguan goods enter the United States under the agreement, with a certificate of origin from VUCEN.

    Rules-based preference; Section 301 tariffs on Nicaraguan goods can apply on top of it, so check each notice.

    Source: USTR, CAFTA-DR page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union

    Gives qualifying Nicaraguan goods preferential access to the European Union, using the EUR.1 certificate from VUCEN.

    Fully applied since May 1, 2024; its trade pillar has applied to Nicaragua since August 1, 2013. Rules-based preference.

    Source: European Commission, EU trade relations with Central America⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • United Kingdom–Central America Association Agreement

    Gives qualifying Nicaraguan goods preferential access to the United Kingdom, using the EUR-RU certificate from VUCEN.

    Rules-based preference; the entry into force date was not opened here.

    Source: GOV.UK, trade agreements in effect, September 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 1, 2026

Show 7 more agreements

  • Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua

    Phases out tariffs on Nicaraguan goods in China; the Joint Commission adopted a decision on tariff elimination on March 30, 2026.

    Rules-based preference with phased tariff cuts; the entry into force date was not opened here, so check the treaty text.

    Source: MIFIC, Nicaragua-China free trade agreement page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • Tratado de Libre Comercio con México

    Lets qualifying Nicaraguan goods enter Mexico at the agreed preference, using a certificate issued by VUCEN.

    Rules-based preference; VUCEN issues the certificate in the agreement's own format.

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • Tratado de Libre Comercio con Chile

    Lets qualifying Nicaraguan goods enter Chile at the agreed preference, using a certificate issued by VUCEN.

    Rules-based preference; check the origin rules in the agreement.

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • Tratado de Libre Comercio con Dominicana

    Lets qualifying Nicaraguan goods enter the Dominican Republic at the agreed preference, using a certificate issued by VUCEN.

    Rules-based preference; check the origin rules in the agreement.

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • Tratado de Libre Comercio con Panamá

    Lets qualifying Nicaraguan goods enter Panama at the agreed preference, using a certificate issued by VUCEN.

    Rules-based preference; check the origin rules in the agreement.

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • Tratado de Libre Comercio Corea-Centroamérica

    Lets qualifying Nicaraguan goods enter Korea at the agreed preference, using a certificate issued by VUCEN.

    Rules-based preference; check the origin rules in the agreement.

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • Acuerdo de Alcance Parcial Entre la República de Cuba y la República de Nicaragua

    Gives listed Nicaraguan goods preferential entry into Cuba, with a certificate issued by VUCEN.

    Covers only the products listed in the agreement; check the list before you ship.

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

4. Steps to export

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

Exporting from Nicaragua

  1. Register as an exporter in VUCEN through its online user registration form.Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior de NicaraguaOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: VUCEN, online user registration page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  2. Get pre-customs permits for regulated goods from the toxic substances commission, IPSA or the health ministry through VUCEN's export system.Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior de NicaraguaOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  3. Request the plant health inspection and phytosanitary certificate from IPSA, which schedules the inspection after the request.Instituto de Protección y Sanidad AgropecuariaInspection within 48 hours of the requestOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: IPSA, general requirements for plant product exports, 2023 (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2023

  4. Get the certificate of origin for the agreement you claim, issued by VUCEN in that agreement's format.Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior de NicaraguaEUR.1 and EUR-RU forms: 50 córdobas eachOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

Show 2 more export steps
  1. Obtain the Formato Único de Exportación for exports outside Central America, or the DUCA-F for Central American destinations.Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior de NicaraguaValid for 30 calendar daysOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  2. File the customs export declaration with customs; the VUCEN export documents carry a copy for the customs directorate.Dirección General de Servicios AduanerosOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: VUCEN, exports page (in Spanish)⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

5. Organizations that help exporters

Start with SPIEX, MIFIC and INIDE. 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 2 more organizations

Customs and tax

Show 1 more organization

Standards and sector requirements

Show 1 more organization

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 Nicaragua project.

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Promote:Nicaragua 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 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.