Promote:
Export from Sint Maarten
A short guide for companies selling from Sint Maarten: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Sint Maarten sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$8.82 million
Net of unspecified goods, ships, fuels and fish, partners reported US$8,816,682 of imports from Sint Maarten in 2025, from 45 reporting countries.
Source: UN Comtrade, Sint Maarten partners' imports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exportsEstimate
US$1.4 billion
Services exports were US$1,404.06 million in 2024, an estimate on the WTO-UNCTAD-ITC basis.
Source: UNCTADstat, Sint Maarten services exports by category (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Copper scrap (HS 7404)US$951,298
- 2. Sacks and bags for packing (HS 6305)US$557,878
- 3. Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews (HS 0801)US$527,798
- 4. Aluminum scrap (HS 7602)US$484,597
- 5. Spirits and liqueurs (HS 2208)US$385,390
- 6. Cars and other passenger vehicles (HS 8703)US$362,605
- 7. Electronic waste and scrap (HS 8549)US$260,126
- 8. Medical and surgical instruments (HS 9018)US$251,559
Show 12 more products
- 9. Processed animal and vegetable fats (HS 1518)US$179,913
- 10. Wooden packing cases and crates (HS 4415)US$171,885
- 11. Oil-cake and other oil residues (HS 2304)US$168,756
- 12. Jewelry of precious metal (HS 7113)US$154,504
- 13. Hydrazine and inorganic salts (HS 2825)US$153,745
- 14. Precious metal scrap (HS 7112)US$141,535
- 15. Aircraft parts (HS 8807)US$141,082
- 16. Ferrous scrap (HS 7204)US$138,014
- 17. Surveying and measuring instruments (HS 9015)US$136,067
- 18. Air and gas pumps and compressors (HS 8414)US$124,131
- 19. Wadding, gauze and bandages (HS 3005)US$113,238
- 20. Video game consoles and funfair articles (HS 9504)US$108,511
- 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)
- UN Comtrade holds no annual data reported by Sint Maarten, and STAT publishes no trade table, so the ranking uses importing countries' reports. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Commodities not specified by kind (HS 9999) are 93.6 percent of partners' reported 2025 imports; they are left out of the total shown and not ranked. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Partners reported US$140,786,798 in 2025, but the total shown, US$8,816,682, leaves out unspecified goods (US$131,808,328), ships (US$113,653), fuels (US$46,761) and fish (US$1,375). Source (opens in a new tab)
- No change on 2024 is shown: 53 reporters in 2024 and 45 in 2025 differ by 15.1 percent, so the two years are not comparable. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Sint Maarten partners' imports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- United States95%
- France2.5%
- Netherlands0.8%
- United Kingdom0.6%
- Barbados0.2%
- Trinidad and Tobago0.2%
- Mozambique0.1%
- Belize0.1%
- Shares are of partners' gross 2025 imports, US$140,786,798, as reported; the United States alone is 95.0 percent. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Of the United States' reported US$133,734,478, 98.3 percent is unspecified goods (HS 9999), so its share mostly reflects that line. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Sint Maarten partners' imports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks sacks and bags for packing, coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews and spirits and liqueurs as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Sint Maarten’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Sint Maarten partners' imports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
The United States takes 95% of Sint Maarten’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, Sint Maarten partners' imports by destination, 2025 (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.
Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union (Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764)
Goods that meet the origin rules enter the European Union duty-free.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access: goods must meet 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
World Trade Organization (through the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Other WTO members owe Sint Maarten goods the treatment their WTO schedules set.
The seat belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten has no separate WTO enquiry point in ePing.
Source: Kingdom treaty database, WTO Agreement for Sint Maarten (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA)
Sint Maarten goods do not enter the United States duty-free under this program.
USTR's list of 17 beneficiary countries, read 2026-11-01, does not name Sint Maarten; check the current list and other United States tariffs before you quote.
Source: USTR, Caribbean Basin Initiative beneficiary list (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Canada's Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff (CARIBCAN)
Canada lists Sint Maarten for the most favored nation tariff only, so no Caribbean preference applies.
Based on the Customs Tariff 2026 country list as read on the access date; check for later changes.
Source: Canada Border Services Agency, Customs Tariff 2026 country list (opens in a new tab) · as of January 1, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Sint Maarten
- Get the business license, and any extra operational license your sector needs.Department of Economic LicensesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Government of Sint Maarten, Department of Economic Licenses page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Register the business in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry commercial register.St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & IndustryFls. 315 / US$175Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce, starting a business guide (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Request your CRIB tax number at the Tax Administration.Tax Administration Sint MaartenOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce, starting a business guide (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Ask Customs whether your goods fall under an export ban or a special law before you ship.CustomsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Sint Maarten import, export and transit ordinance, 2019 (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Show 4 more export steps
- For live small animals, follow the conditions and application forms of Unit LVV.Unit LVV (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Government of Sint Maarten, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Ask the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a certificate of origin.St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & IndustryOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- To sell duty-free in the European Union above 10,000 euros, ask Customs how to register as an exporter for statements on origin.CustomsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Council of the European Union, Annex II origin rules, 2021 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 7, 2021
- File the signed export declaration at the Customs office before loading.CustomsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Sint Maarten import, export and transit ordinance, 2019 (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Customs and STAT. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- Sint Maarten has 43,923 people, so this guide lists every national body found with evidence dated 2025 or later; it has 9 organizations. Source (opens in a new tab)
Export development and market information
- Research markets
National statistics office
STAT
Department of Statistics
Publishes consumer price, tourism, labor and economic census statistics, and no goods trade table.
Visit STAT (opens in a new tab)Source: STAT, publications library, read November 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 2, 2026
- Get advice
Kingdom enterprise agency
RVO
Netherlands Enterprise Agency
Regional body
Runs the Support International Business subsidy and other programs open to companies in the Dutch Caribbean, including Sint Maarten.
Visit RVO (opens in a new tab)Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency, business support in the Dutch Caribbean (opens in a new tab) · as of August 19, 2024
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs
Controls goods, animals and hazardous items moving in and out of Sint Maarten, and says its only tax is excise on unleaded gasoline.
Visit Customs (opens in a new tab)Source: Government of Sint Maarten, Customs department page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
Tax Administration
Tax Administration Sint Maarten
Collects and audits taxes, and publishes the yearly tax return forms and filing deadlines for individuals and businesses.
Visit Tax Administration (opens in a new tab)Source: Government of Sint Maarten, 2025 tax documents notice (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Economic licensing department
DEL
Department of Economic Licenses
Issues business, director and operational licenses, including extra licenses for sectors such as food and beverage, wholesale and medicines.
Visit DEL (opens in a new tab)Source: Government of Sint Maarten, Department of Economic Licenses page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Business membership association
SHTA
Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association
Represents member businesses in hospitality, trade and other sectors in Sint Maarten, and offers them member services.
Visit SHTA (opens in a new tab)Source: SHTA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
6. Worth knowing
European Union origin rules
Annex II of the association decision requires a registered exporter's statement on origin above 10,000 euros, and no Sint Maarten page read names the registering body.
What to do: Ask Customs where to register as an exporter before your first shipment to the European Union.
Sources: Council of the European Union, Annex II origin rules, 2021 (opens in a new tab); European Commission, Overseas Countries and Territories page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Official trade data
STAT publishes no goods trade table, and importing countries' reports put 93.6 percent of 2025 imports from Sint Maarten under an unspecified heading.
What to do: Check importing countries' own import data for your product before you size a market.
Sources: UN Comtrade, Sint Maarten partners' imports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Sint Maarten partners' imports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
United States tariffs
Sint Maarten is not among the 60 economies in USTR's March 2026 forced labor investigations, and USTR took action on those 60 in July 2026.
What to do: Check the current United States duty on your product, including product-wide tariffs, with your importer before you quote.
Sources: USTR, forced labor Section 301 fact sheet, March 2026 (opens in a new tab); USTR, forced labor Section 301 action, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Currency and settlement
Only the Caribbean guilder (XCG) has been accepted for guilder payments at the Receivers Office since July 2, 2025, yet licensing pages still print fees in Netherlands Antillean guilders.
What to do: Confirm the currency of each fee, contract and invoice before you pay or price.
Sources: Government of Sint Maarten, Caribbean guilder payments notice, June 2025 (opens in a new tab); Government of Sint Maarten, business and director license page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
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Fuel and consumer prices
STAT reports consumer prices up 5.45 percent in the second quarter of 2026 on a year earlier, with transport up 21.50 percent.
What to do: Check current fuel and freight costs before you fix long-term prices.
Sources: STAT, Sint Maarten inflation page, second quarter 2026 (opens in a new tab); STAT, consumer prices first quarter 2026, May 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 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 Sint Maarten project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
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Promote:Sint Maarten 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.