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Export from the Solomon Islands
A short guide for companies selling from the Solomon Islands: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What the Solomon Islands sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$776.9 million
Merchandise exports, as the imports of 61 partner countries from Solomon Islands, were US$776,900,152.456 in 2025; the total includes re-exports.
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Solomon Islands by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exportsEstimate
US$158.1 million
Services exports were US$158.05 million in 2025, flagged Estimated by the source; transport was US$65.83 million of that.
Source: UNCTADstat, Solomon Islands services exports by category (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Gold (HS 7108)US$219.6 million
- 2. Logs and rough wood (HS 4403)US$182.6 million
- 3. Prepared and canned fish (HS 1604)US$79.1 million
- 4. Precious metal ore (HS 2616)US$76.6 million
- 5. Nickel ore (HS 2604)US$59.3 million
- 6. Cocoa beans (HS 1801)US$38.8 million
- 7. Palm oil (HS 1511)US$33.1 million
- 8. Coconut oil (HS 1513)US$15.4 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Copra (HS 1203)US$11.9 million
- 10. Sawn wood (HS 4407)US$8.02 million
- 11. Aluminum ore (HS 2606)US$5.52 million
- 12. Seaweed and algae (HS 1212)US$4.95 million
- 13. Iron pyrites (HS 2502)US$4.02 million
- 14. Electrical switching apparatus (HS 8536)US$3.23 million
- 15. Sea cucumbers and other marine invertebrates (HS 0308)US$3.2 million
- 16. Veneer sheets (HS 4408)US$2.15 million
- 17. Collectors' pieces (HS 9705)US$1.63 million
- 18. Medicinal and aromatic plants (HS 1211)US$1.24 million
- 19. Aluminum scrap (HS 7602)US$920,106
- 20. Iron and steel scrap (HS 7204)US$772,522
- 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)
- Solomon Islands' own report to UN Comtrade ends in 2018 and the statistics office's trade bulletins end in 2019, so the ranking uses buyers' reports. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Gold (HS 7108) and logs (HS 4403) are 51.8 percent of 2025 exports; Australia reported nearly all the gold and China nearly all the logs. Source (opens in a new tab)
- A check on 2024 found the three lines over 10 percent of 2025 exports, gold, logs and prepared fish, also present in 2024. Source (opens in a new tab)
- No prior-year change is shown: 76 partners reported for 2024 against 61 for 2025, so the two years do not cover the same buyers. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Fish (HS 0303 and 0304), fuel (HS 2710), coins (HS 7118) and ships (HS 8902 and 8907) are left out of the ranking but stay in the total. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Frozen fish and fillets (HS 0303 and 0304) are left out: buyers may record foreign fleets' catch, and the Central Bank's fish exports name only canned tuna and loins. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Solomon Islands by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- China40.8%
- Australia28.5%
- Italy6%
- Malaysia6%
- Netherlands3.6%
- Spain3.4%
- Switzerland2.1%
- Indonesia1.8%
- 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)
- China and Australia together bought 69.3 percent of 2025 exports, so destination shares follow gold, logs and ores. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Solomon Islands by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
Extractive lines (gold, precious metal ore and nickel ore) make up about 47% of the Solomon Islands’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, partners' imports from Solomon Islands by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Solomon Islands by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks cocoa beans, coconut oil and copra as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only the Solomon Islands’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Solomon Islands by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
China takes 40.8% of the Solomon Islands’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 Solomon Islands by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 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.
Pacific-European Union Interim Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can ship goods to the European Union duty-free and quota-free; Solomon Islands acceded in May 2020.
As of 2024 per the WTO review, Solomon Islands opens its own market in stages to 2038; prove origin with a EUR.1 certificate or an origin declaration, valid 10 months.
Source: Access2Markets, European Union-Pacific interim partnership agreement, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2026
United Kingdom-Pacific States Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can export to the United Kingdom duty-free and quota-free under the agreement that repeats the European Union terms.
As of October 31, 2026, GOV.UK lists provisional application for Solomon Islands; its accession date is not stated.
Source: GOV.UK, United Kingdom trade agreements in effect, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 1, 2026
PACER Plus
A seller can use the agreement's rules of origin for goods going to Australia, New Zealand and other parties; both remove duties on Pacific island goods.
Solomon Islands has not begun cutting its own tariffs, because of a ten-year standstill for least developed countries; as of 2024, per the WTO review.
Source: PACER Plus, list of parties, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement
A seller can ship goods to Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu at preferential duty under the second agreement.
As of 2024 only Fiji and Solomon Islands had signed the third agreement; the second remains the one in force.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
Show 5 more agreements
Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA)
A seller can claim tariff preferences in other Pacific island countries that apply the agreement, for goods that meet its origin rules.
The Forum Secretariat listed Solomon Islands in 2011 among seven parties applying PICTA duties; the WTO review of 2024 lists no PICTA preferences, so ask customs first.
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, PICTA progress, 2011 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 22, 2011
South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA)
A seller gets non-reciprocal preferential access to Australia and New Zealand.
The authorities told the WTO that PACER Plus has made this agreement redundant for Solomon Islands; as of 2024.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
China's non-reciprocal preferences for least developed countries
A seller can ship to China, the largest buyer in the partner data, under preferences for least developed countries.
The WTO review says leaving least developed status ends preferences in some markets, such as China; check each product.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
Unilateral preference schemes of other countries (GSP)
A seller can ask for preferential tariffs in the markets that grant generalized preferences, including the European Union, Japan, Canada and Australia.
As of 2024, per the WTO review; check each importing country's beneficiary list and origin rules before you claim.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
United Kingdom's Developing Countries Trading Scheme
A seller can use the scheme's comprehensive tier for least developed countries, or the Pacific States agreement.
As of October 31, 2026, Solomon Islands is on the Comprehensive Preferences list; confirm the tier before you claim.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers (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 the Solomon Islands
- Get a tax identification number from the Inland Revenue Division; the WTO review says no other registration applies to exporters who hold one.Inland Revenue DivisionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
- For copra, cocoa or palm oil, get an export license from the Commodities Export Marketing Authority before you ship.Commodities Export Marketing AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
- For fish, get the export license and permit the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources requires, plus a health certificate from the Ministry of Health.Ministry of Fisheries and Marine ResourcesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
- For round logs, get Central Bank approval after clearance from the Ministry of Forestry and Research; for other timber, get a ministry export permit.Ministry of Forestry and ResearchOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
Show 6 more export steps
- For gold, use a gold dealer licensed by the Director of Mines, and get the gold export license under the Mines and Minerals Act.Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural ElectrificationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
- For plants, animals and their products, apply to Biosecurity Solomon Islands for biosecurity export clearance and a phytosanitary certificate.Biosecurity Solomon IslandsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
- To claim the European Union or United Kingdom preference, ask customs for a EUR.1 certificate or approved exporter status.Solomon Islands Customs and Excise DivisionEUR.1 proof is valid for 10 monthsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Access2Markets, European Union-Pacific interim partnership agreement, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2026
- File the export declaration electronically in ASYCUDA World, yourself if trained or through a customs agent, and pay any export duty.Solomon Islands Customs and Excise DivisionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
- Receive payment within three months of export and sell the foreign currency to a bank in Solomon Islands; apply on Form Ex 1 if you cannot.Central Bank of Solomon IslandsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CBSI, Exchange Control Policies brochure, 1996 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- If you have a contract with an overseas buyer, ask the Marketing and Export Promotion Division about its freight subsidy.Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and ImmigrationCovers the full freight cost, as of 2024 per the WTO reviewOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 16, 2024
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with MCILI and SICED. 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 and commerce ministry
MCILI
Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration
Runs the division that promotes exports and gives market information, and the divisions for foreign investment, company registration, work permits and immigration.
Visit MCILI (opens in a new tab)Source: MCILI, Marketing and Export Promotion Division, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 12, 2026
- Get advice
Regional trade promotion agency
PTI
Pacific Trade Invest
Regional body
Links export-ready and investment-ready Pacific businesses with buyers and investors through offices abroad; none is in Solomon Islands.
Visit PTI (opens in a new tab)Source: Pacific Trade Invest, services and offices, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Research markets
National statistics office
SINSO
Solomon Islands National Statistics Office
Publishes the consumer price index, population estimates and visitor arrivals; the merchandise trade bulletins on its site end in 2019.
Visit SINSO (opens in a new tab)Source: SINSO, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Regional trade agreement unit
PACER Plus Implementation Unit
Regional body
Helps businesses in PACER Plus countries understand the agreement's trade rules and meet export requirements, and runs free online trade training.
Visit PACER Plus Implementation Unit (opens in a new tab)Source: PACER Plus Implementation Unit, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
SICED
Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division
Runs the ASYCUDA World system where customs declarations are filed, and publishes customs forms and the Customs and Excise Act.
Visit SICED (opens in a new tab)Source: SICED, customs home page and ASYCUDA World portal (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
IRD
Solomon Islands Inland Revenue Division
Registers taxpayers, collects income, goods, sales and withholding taxes, and runs the E-Tax online filing system.
Visit IRD (opens in a new tab)Source: IRD, home page, updated June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 17, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Commodity export regulator
CEMA
Commodities Export Marketing Authority
Licenses exporters of copra, cocoa and other prescribed commodities, and sets pricing, inspection and grading rules for those industries.
Visit CEMA (opens in a new tab)Source: CEMA, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Central bank
CBSI
Central Bank of Solomon Islands
Administers exchange control, including export payment rules and round log export authorities, and publishes economic bulletins and data.
Visit CBSI (opens in a new tab)Source: CBSI, exchange control page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Biosecurity authority
BSI
Biosecurity Solomon Islands
Is the country's official contact point for the International Plant Protection Convention, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Visit BSI (opens in a new tab)Source: IPPC, Solomon Islands contact page, June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 23, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
SICCI
Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents more than 200 member businesses, about 60 percent of them small and medium enterprises, with government and development partners.
Visit SICCI (opens in a new tab)Source: SICCI, about page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
The Central Bank runs a fixed exchange rate regime, and its brochure requires full export proceeds within three months, sold to a bank in Solomon Islands.
What to do: Set payment terms so money arrives within three months, or apply to the Central Bank on Form Ex 1 before you ship.
Sources: CBSI, Exchange Control Policies brochure, 1996 (opens in a new tab); CBSI, Monetary Policy Report, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Log export dependence
The Central Bank reports round log exports fell 31 percent to SBD 991 million in 2025, and minerals were 53 percent of exports.
What to do: Check current export duty and approvals for your timber or mineral product before you quote.
Sources: CBSI, Quarterly Review, December 2025 (opens in a new tab); WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
United States tariffs
Solomon Islands is not among the 60 economies in the July 28, 2026 Section 301 tariff notice; the Section 122 surcharge ran February 24 to July 24, 2026.
What to do: Confirm the current United States tariff on your product with the importer before you quote.
Sources: Federal Register, Section 301 forced-labor notice, July 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab); White House, Proclamation 11012, Section 122 surcharge, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Preferences after least developed status
The WTO review says Solomon Islands was designated to leave least developed status in 2027, which ends preferences in some markets such as China.
What to do: Confirm which preference applies to your product in each destination before you sign a long contract.
Sources: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab); GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more
No standards body
The WTO review says Solomon Islands had no centralized standards body in 2024 and no enquiry point for technical regulations.
What to do: Ask your buyer which standard and certificate it requires, and which body issues them.
Sources: WTO Secretariat, Solomon Islands trade policy review, October 2024 (opens in a new tab); ePing, TBT enquiry point entry, Solomon Islands (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 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 Solomon Islands project.
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Promote:Solomon Islands 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.