Promote:
Export from Saint Kitts and Nevis
A short guide for companies selling from Saint Kitts and Nevis: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Saint Kitts and Nevis sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$40.3 million
Merchandise exports were US$40.3 million in 2025, summed from what 80 partner countries record as imports from Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exports
US$528.8 million
Services exports were US$528.83 million in 2025, on the WTO-UNCTAD-ITC basis published by UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, WTO-UNCTAD-ITC trade in services, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Measuring and checking instruments (HS 9031)US$8.95 million
- 2. Electrical control panels and boards (HS 8537)US$4.47 million
- 3. Transformers and power converters (HS 8504)US$2.6 million
- 4. Ciders and other fermented drinks (HS 2206)US$2.29 million
- 5. Live animals (HS 0106)US$1.3 million
- 6. Electrical machines with individual functions (HS 8543)US$991,521
- 7. Glass fibers and glass wool (HS 7019)US$792,780
- 8. Spirits and liqueurs (HS 2208)US$636,299
Show 12 more products
- 9. Beer (HS 2203)US$436,217
- 10. Tropical fruit (HS 0804)US$394,600
- 11. Coated-fabric and nonwoven garments (HS 6210)US$373,827
- 12. Electrical resistors (HS 8533)US$364,373
- 13. Vermouth and flavored wine (HS 2205)US$350,439
- 14. Coffee (HS 0901)US$294,931
- 15. Precious metal scrap (HS 7112)US$288,618
- 16. Parts for electrical switchgear (HS 8538)US$267,418
- 17. Mollusks (HS 0307)US$241,375
- 18. Copper scrap (HS 7404)US$224,901
- 19. Flow and level measuring instruments (HS 9026)US$161,902
- 20. Animal feed (HS 2309)US$159,107
- Reported by the buying countries as imports, valued by each importing country (CIF or FOB, as each reports it), not at export. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Commodities not specified by kind (HS 9999) are 14.2 percent of 2025 exports; they are in the total but not ranked. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Ships (HS chapter 89) are 13.2 percent of 2025 exports, mostly vessels for breaking up and yachts; they are in the total but not ranked. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The number of reporting countries fell from 98 in 2024 to 80 in 2025, so no change on the prior year is shown for any line. Source (opens in a new tab)
- In 2023 the Department of Statistics recorded 96.6 percent of miscellaneous manufactures, the section that includes measuring instruments, garments and plastic articles, as re-exports. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, product imports from Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- United States52.7%
- Pakistan8.6%
- France5.2%
- Germany4.8%
- Belize3.6%
- Canada3.1%
- Trinidad and Tobago2.9%
- Türkiye2%
- Reported by the buying countries as imports, valued by each importing country (CIF or FOB, as each reports it), not at export. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Pakistan, Türkiye and France report ships and yachts (HS chapter 89) as most of what they record from Saint Kitts and Nevis, so their shares follow vessel sales. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Angola's 2025 figure is one line, glass fibers, reported by Angola alone. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks ciders and other fermented drinks, spirits and liqueurs and beer as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Saint Kitts and Nevis’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, product imports from Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
The United States takes 52.7% of Saint Kitts and Nevis’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, partners' imports from Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 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.
CARICOM and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy
A seller can ship qualifying goods duty-free to other CARICOM members under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, if the goods meet CARICOM rules of origin.
Customs service charges still apply, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, as a less developed country, may limit some imports from other members.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
OECS Economic Union
A seller based in Saint Kitts and Nevis works inside a union of Eastern Caribbean states that shares a currency and central bank.
The WTO review calls the union a work in progress, and its customs union is not complete.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can claim duty-free, quota-free access to the European Union for eligible goods that meet the agreement origin rules.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; check the origin rules and the importing country treatment.
Source: European Commission, CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
CARIFORUM-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can claim preferential access to the United Kingdom for eligible goods under the agreement, which the WTO review lists as applied by Saint Kitts and Nevis from 2021.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; GOV.UK also lists Saint Christopher and Nevis as covered.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
Show 4 more agreements
CBERA (Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act)
A seller can ship eligible goods to the United States duty-free under the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which lists Saint Kitts and Nevis among 17 beneficiaries.
Eligible goods only, and the program does not exempt goods from other United States tariff actions; check the current measures before you price.
Source: USTR, Caribbean Basin Initiative beneficiaries (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
CBTPA (Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act)
A seller cannot claim the extra preferences of this act, because the United States list of eight beneficiaries omits Saint Kitts and Nevis.
USTR names eight of the 17 Caribbean Basin Initiative beneficiaries as eligible, and Saint Kitts and Nevis is not among them.
Source: USTR, Caribbean Basin Initiative beneficiaries (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 the Canadian 2026 tariff list grants Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Eligible goods only, and Canada sets origin and treatment rules; confirm both before you quote.
Source: Canada Border Services Agency, Customs Tariff country list, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 1, 2026
CARICOM-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement
A seller can benefit from duty-free access to the Dominican Republic for listed products.
The WTO review says OECS members do not have to grant concessions under this agreement; check the product list.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Register your business: incorporate through the Registrar of Companies or register as a sole trader, then ask the Inland Revenue Department about licenses and taxes.Inland Revenue DepartmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Inland Revenue Department, guiding your business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Check whether your goods are on the prohibited or restricted export lists in the Fourth Schedule of the Customs Act, and whether you need an export license.Customs and Excise DepartmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Customs Act, Cap. 20.04, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2020
- Ask the Bureau of Standards which compulsory standards and labeling rules apply to your product.St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of StandardsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
- For plants and plant products, take the material to the Plant Quarantine Unit for inspection and a phytosanitary certificate.Department of AgricultureEC$5.00 for inspection and certificateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SKNIS, plant import and export notice, March 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 13, 2024
Show 3 more export steps
- If you claim a CARICOM or other preference, ask Customs for the certificate of origin form and the importing country proof of origin.Customs and Excise DepartmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Government portal, CARICOM Certificate form, November 2022 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2022
- Submit the export declaration to Customs, then present the goods at the port of departure for inspection against the documents.Customs and Excise DepartmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of International Trade, import and export procedures manual, 2012 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 31, 2012
- If you paid duty on imported inputs, ask Customs about a drawback claim after export.Customs and Excise DepartmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Customs Act, Cap. 20.04, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2020
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Ministry of International Trade and Customs and Excise. 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
Trade policy and promotion ministry
Ministry of International Trade
Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Coordinates trade policy, trade agreements and business facilitation, and works with customs, the investment agency and the ports authority.
Visit Ministry of International Trade (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of International Trade, about the ministry (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Regional trade promotion agency
Caribbean Export
Caribbean Export Development Agency
Regional body
Provides regional trade and investment promotion support and an exporters toolkit for private companies in the Caribbean.
Visit Caribbean Export (opens in a new tab)Source: Caribbean Export Development Agency, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Research markets
National statistics office
Department of Statistics
Department of Statistics, Ministry of Sustainable Development
Publishes merchandise trade tables, consumer prices and national accounts that expanding companies use for market information.
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs and excise authority
Customs and Excise
St. Kitts and Nevis Customs and Excise Department
Receives export declarations and controls goods leaving the country under the Customs Act.
Visit Customs and Excise (opens in a new tab)Source: Customs Act, Cap. 20.04, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2020
- Meet requirements
Tax administration authority
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue Department
Registers businesses for tax and licenses, and administers value added tax and corporate income tax.
Visit Inland Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Inland Revenue Department, guiding your business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
Air and sea ports authority
Ports Authority
St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority
Runs the airport and the seaport, which are the gateway for goods leaving the country.
Visit Ports Authority (opens in a new tab)Source: Air and Sea Ports Authority, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
National standards body
Bureau of Standards
St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards
Sets standards, runs testing laboratories and conformity assessment, and acts as the enquiry point for technical barriers to trade.
Visit Bureau of Standards (opens in a new tab)Source: Bureau of Standards, what the Bureau does (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Plant and animal health authority
Department of Agriculture
Inspects plant material through its Plant Quarantine Unit and issues the phytosanitary certificate for exports.
Visit Department of Agriculture (opens in a new tab)Source: SKNIS, plant import and export notice, March 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 13, 2024
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Regional standards organization
CROSQ
CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality
Regional body
Develops regional standards and promotes quality systems, with a portal to accredited quality facilities in the region.
Visit CROSQ (opens in a new tab)Source: CROSQ, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
SKNCIC
St. Kitts & Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Represents more than 100 member companies in services, manufacturing, import and export, and lobbies for the private sector.
Visit SKNCIC (opens in a new tab)Source: Chamber of Industry and Commerce, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Public debt and arrears
The IMF says the 2025 fiscal deficit was 11.7 percent of GDP and public debt 58.4 percent, and it urges rolling back COVID-era tax concessions.
What to do: Check the Inland Revenue Department for current rates and concessions before you price a long contract.
Sources: IMF, Article IV Executive Board press release, May 2026 (opens in a new tab); IMF, staff concluding statement, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 7, 2026
Logistics and border performance
The WTO review of 2023 says single windows for imports are not yet in place and export licenses are needed for vegetables and some seafood.
What to do: Confirm your export documents and any license with Customs before you ship.
Sources: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab); Customs Act, Cap. 20.04, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
Fiscal incentives law
Section 17 of the Fiscal Incentives Act ended income tax relief on export sales after December 31, 2022, and the WTO review says export-linked incentives were removed in 2019.
What to do: Confirm with the Inland Revenue Department which incentives still apply before you rely on them.
Sources: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab); Fiscal Incentives Act, Cap. 20.14, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2020
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 Saint Kitts and Nevis project.
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Promote:Saint Kitts and Nevis 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.