Promote:
Export from Samoa
A short guide for companies selling from Samoa: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Samoa sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$25.8 million
Samoa reported merchandise exports of US$25,828,358 in 2025, re-exports included, to UN Comtrade.
Source: UN Comtrade, Samoa exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exports
US$328 million
Services exports were US$328.0 million in 2025, per the WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data on UNCTADstat; travel was US$239.1 million of that.
Source: UNCTADstat, trade in services by category (WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$15.1 million
- 2. Coconut oil (HS 1513)US$1.88 million
- 3. Parts for electrical switchgear (HS 8538)US$1.03 million
- 4. Electrical switches and connectors (HS 8536)US$1 million
- 5. Beer (HS 2203)US$790,785
- 6. Taro and other root crops (HS 0714)US$617,289
- 7. Fruit juice (HS 2009)US$592,280
- 8. Coconuts (HS 0801)US$553,566
Show 12 more products
- 9. Eggs (HS 0407)US$504,334
- 10. Food preparations (HS 2106)US$413,016
- 11. Ferrous scrap (HS 7204)US$359,199
- 12. Measuring and checking instruments (HS 9026)US$158,620
- 13. Cigarettes (HS 2402)US$154,148
- 14. Scrap electric batteries (HS 8548)US$142,205
- 15. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$111,004
- 16. Copra (HS 1203)US$102,051
- 17. Electric batteries (HS 8507)US$98,514
- 18. Electric generating sets (HS 8502)US$91,507
- 19. Rubber and plastic footwear (HS 6402)US$90,508
- 20. Pasta (HS 1902)US$74,739
- Flow X includes re-exports: fuel (HS 2710) is 58.3% of 2025 exports; the Bureau counts fuel re-exports as 56.3% of its tala total. Check whether a line is made in Samoa before you rely on it. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Samoa exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- New Zealand27.1%
- United States17.9%
- Singapore15.5%
- Australia9.6%
- Tokelau7.3%
- Fiji3.9%
- American Samoa3.8%
- Cook Islands2.2%
- Fuel (HS 2710), which the Bureau counts as re-exports, is 58.3% of 2025 exports and over half the value to six top-ten destinations; 'Areas, not elsewhere specified' (5.9%) is excluded. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Samoa exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
Extractive lines (refined petroleum products) make up about 58% of Samoa’s goods exports, so the totals mostly describe that trade. For another product, look at demand for your own line, market by market.
Sources: UN Comtrade, Samoa exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Samoa exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks coconut oil, beer and taro and other root crops as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Samoa’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Samoa exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Top goods exports
New Zealand takes 27.1% of Samoa’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, Samoa exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
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.
Pacific-European Union Interim Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can ship goods to the European Union duty-free and quota-free; canned fish has a global sourcing provision.
As of October 30, 2026, origin is proved with a EUR.1 from customs or an origin declaration, per Access2Markets; Samoa acceded in December 2018.
Source: European Commission, Access2Markets, Pacific EPA page, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
United Kingdom-Pacific States Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can export to the United Kingdom under the interim agreement, which covers Samoa since its accession.
As of October 30, 2026, GOV.UK lists Samoa under the agreement as provisionally applied, from March 31, 2022; rules-based preference, so check origin rules before you ship.
Source: GOV.UK, trade agreements in effect, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 1, 2026
Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA)
A seller can claim preferential access to other member countries for qualifying goods.
Rules-based preference; check with the importing country's customs that it applies PICTA tariffs to your goods before you quote.
Source: Samoa Foreign Affairs Ministry, trade agreements page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus)
A seller can use its rules of origin and tariff commitments for trade with Australia, New Zealand and other parties.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; SPARTECA also applies to Samoa.
Source: Samoa Foreign Affairs Ministry, PACER Plus page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more agreements
South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement (SPARTECA)
A seller can export qualifying goods to Australia and New Zealand at preferential duty, without Samoa cutting its own tariffs.
As of Australian Border Force's page, Samoa is a listed party; check proof of origin with the importing customs service.
Source: Australian Border Force, SPARTECA page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Developing Countries Trading Scheme
Samoa is on none of the scheme's tiers, so a seller uses the United Kingdom-Pacific States agreement instead.
As of October 30, 2026, Samoa is on none of the GOV.UK tier lists published June 19, 2023; check the list again before you quote.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme tiers, June 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Samoa
- Get a business license from the Ministry of Revenue; the Central Bank asks exporters for it every January.Ministry of RevenueSAT$282 per activity and location for a sole trader or partnership; SAT$640 for a companyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Register as an exporter: get a customs registration code, then register with the Central Bank of Samoa.Ministry of CustomsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Samoa Trade Portal, Register as exporter, institutions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Ask the Central Bank for an export permit for any consignment above SAT$500, and check that the product is not on the export ban list.Central Bank of SamoaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 31, 2026
- For fish, file the Provisional Export Entry, endorsed by the Ministry of Fisheries, with the Central Bank before Customs processes the shipment.Ministry of Agriculture and FisheriesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 31, 2026
Show 6 more export steps
- For primary produce such as taro, get the Quarantine Division clearance and give it to the Central Bank with the shipment papers.Ministry of Agriculture and FisheriesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 31, 2026
- Check whether a Samoan National Standard or labeling rule applies to your product; the Ministry's Access Standards program publishes them.Ministry of Commerce, Industry and LabourOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Samoa Commerce Ministry, Consumer protection page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Ask Customs for the certificate of origin your market needs, such as Form A for GSP claims or a EUR.1 for the European Union.Ministry of CustomsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Samoa Foreign Affairs Ministry, trade agreements page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Complete the Central Bank's Export Form E and the Customs administrative document; the Central Bank certifies the declared cif value.Central Bank of SamoaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Samoa, export procedures page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Bring export proceeds back through an authorized bank or money transfer operator within two months of shipment, or four weeks for shipments to American Samoa.Central Bank of SamoaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Samoa, Exchange Control Information Booklet, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Ask Customs about duty drawback, and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour about Code 121 relief on imported raw materials.Ministry of CustomsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Customs and SBS. 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
SBS
Samoa Bureau of Statistics
Publishes monthly merchandise trade reports, consumer price data and GDP tables.
Visit SBS (opens in a new tab)Source: Samoa Bureau of Statistics, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Trade policy ministry
MFAT
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Handles trade agreements and advises exporters on rules of origin and market access.
Visit MFAT (opens in a new tab)Source: Samoa Foreign Affairs Ministry, trade agreements page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Get advice
Pacific trade promotion network
PTI
Pacific Trade Invest
Regional body
Facilitates trade, investment and tourism deals for Pacific businesses through offices in Australia, China, Europe and New Zealand, plus Japan.
Visit PTI (opens in a new tab)Source: Pacific Trade Invest, What We Do, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Trade agreement support unit
PACER Plus Unit
PACER Plus Implementation Unit
Regional body
Supports Pacific countries in using PACER Plus provisions on rules of origin, customs, quarantine and standards.
Visit PACER Plus Unit (opens in a new tab)Source: PACER Plus Implementation Unit, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
Regional science and data body
SPC
Pacific Community
Regional body
Publishes Pacific Data Hub trade and price statistics for Pacific countries.
Visit SPC (opens in a new tab)Source: Pacific Community, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs
Ministry of Customs
Clears exports of goods made in Samoa before shipment.
Visit Customs (opens in a new tab)Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Central bank and exchange control
CBS
Central Bank of Samoa
Issues export permits, certifies Export Form E and approves capital payments abroad under exchange control.
Visit CBS (opens in a new tab)Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 31, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Tax and business license authority
MOR
Ministry of Revenue
Issues business licenses, registers taxpayers and publishes tax and business license forms.
Visit MOR (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Revenue, home page and forms, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Agriculture and fisheries ministry
MAF
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Runs the Samoa Quarantine Service, which certifies primary produce exports, and the Fisheries Division.
Visit MAF (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Biosecurity page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
Research and testing body
SROS
Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa
Tests water, food, beverage and soil samples and carries out product innovation research.
Visit SROS (opens in a new tab)Source: Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
SCCI
Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents private businesses and offers advocacy, training and networking.
Visit SCCI (opens in a new tab)Source: Samoa Chamber of Commerce, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Women's development organization
WIBDI
Women in Business Development Inc.
Supports vulnerable families through certified organic farming and fine mat weaving income projects.
Visit WIBDI (opens in a new tab)Source: Women in Business Development Inc., home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
The Central Bank's June 2026 review changed no exchange control policy; exports above SAT$500 need its permit, and proceeds return within two months.
What to do: Agree payment terms that return proceeds within two months, and file Form E before you ship.
Sources: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab); Central Bank of Samoa, Exchange Control Information Booklet, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Logistics and border performance
The IMF's September 2026 summary lists higher fuel and shipping costs among the causes of Samoa's sharp growth slowdown.
What to do: Get shipping and fuel surcharge quotes before you fix an export price.
Source: International Monetary Fund, Samoa Article IV press release, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Re-exports and narrow base
Fuel re-exports were 56.3 percent of 2025 exports by the Bureau's count, and insulated wire (HS 8544) fell from US$9.5 million to US$0.1 million.
What to do: Check whether a product line is re-exported or made in Samoa before you use export figures to size demand.
Sources: Samoa Bureau of Statistics, merchandise trade tables, August 2026 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Samoa exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
United States tariffs
As of October 30, 2026, Samoa is not named in the July 28 Section 301 notice; the 10 percent Section 122 surcharge ran through July 24, 2026, per its proclamation.
What to do: Confirm the duty your United States buyer will pay before you quote.
Sources: Federal Register, Section 301 notice of action, July 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Federal Register, Section 122 proclamation, February 25, 2026 (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.
Turn this guide into your Samoa project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Samoa 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.