Promote:
Export from Timor-Leste
A short guide for companies selling from Timor-Leste: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Timor-Leste sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$163.7 million
Timor-Leste’s merchandise exports were US$163,722,076 in 2023 on its UN Comtrade report, re-exports included.
Source: UN Comtrade, Timor-Leste exports by destination, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Services exports
US$146.9 million
Services exports were US$146.89 million in 2025, per the WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data on UNCTADstat; travel was US$109.63 million of that.
Source: UNCTADstat, Timor-Leste services exports (WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data), 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2023
- 1. Crude petroleum oils (HS 2709)US$106.4 million
- 2. Aircraft parts (HS 8803)US$19.1 million
- 3. Coffee (HS 0901)US$14.6 million
- 4. Cruise ships, ferries and cargo ships (HS 8901)US$3.95 million
- 5. Petroleum gases (HS 2711)US$3.86 million
- 6. Iron and steel articles, not elsewhere listed (HS 7326)US$1.71 million
- 7. Taps, valves and similar appliances (HS 8481)US$1.55 million
- 8. Bulldozers, graders and earthmoving machines (HS 8429)US$1.08 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Sorting, crushing and mixing machinery (HS 8474)US$799,859
- 10. Vanilla (HS 0905)US$580,287
- 11. Printing machinery (HS 8443)US$551,872
- 12. Drilling and boring machine tools (HS 8459)US$475,245
- 13. Nuts, fresh or dried (HS 0802)US$464,954
- 14. Iron and steel household articles (HS 7323)US$459,375
- 15. Cast iron and steel articles (HS 7325)US$390,108
- 16. Copra (HS 1203)US$383,276
- 17. Cranes and lifting machinery (HS 8426)US$351,409
- 18. Cloves (HS 0907)US$339,678
- 19. Measuring and checking instruments (HS 9031)US$328,259
- 20. Iron and steel structures (HS 7308)US$286,956
- Petroleum oils and gases (HS 2709 and 2711) are 67.4 percent of 2023 exports, and flow X includes re-exports. Check whether a line is made in Timor-Leste before you rely on it. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Timor-Leste’s 2022 report values coffee at US$125.4 million; buyers reported US$32.1 million and the statistics office US$26.6 million, so no change on 2022 is shown. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Timor-Leste exports by product, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Where the goods go
2023, share of goods exports
- China46.6%
- Singapore19.1%
- Australia16.8%
- Indonesia7.2%
- Japan3%
- United States1.6%
- Philippines1.3%
- Portugal1.1%
- The ranking uses Timor-Leste’s 2023 Comtrade report, which includes re-exports; the statistics office’s 2024 and 2025 totals count only goods with at least 50 percent local content. Check its latest release before you quote. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Timor-Leste exports by destination, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
2. What to look into next
Our reading
Extractive lines (crude petroleum oils and petroleum gases) make up about 67% of Timor-Leste’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, Timor-Leste exports by product, 2023 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Timor-Leste exports by destination, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks coffee, iron and steel articles, not elsewhere listed and vanilla as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Timor-Leste’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Timor-Leste exports by product, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Based on: Top goods exports
China takes 46.6% of Timor-Leste’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, Timor-Leste exports by destination, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
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 Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Timor-Leste has been an ASEAN member since October 26, 2025, so the bloc’s trade agreements become relevant to its sellers.
Membership alone does not cut tariffs; check which ASEAN duty rates the customs authority applies before you quote.
Source: Government of Timor-Leste, Parliament ratifies ASEAN admission, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 11, 2025
ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)
Once Timor-Leste applies its schedule, goods that meet ASEAN origin rules could enter other members at preferential rates.
As of 2026-11-01, the Council of Ministers had approved accession and the final schedule, but no Parliament approval appears in the gazette. Check before you quote.
Source: Government of Timor-Leste, Council of Ministers, February 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 20, 2026
World Trade Organization (WTO)
As a WTO member since August 30, 2024, Timor-Leste trades with other members under WTO rules.
Membership gives no preference over other members; check the importing country’s actual duty rate before you quote.
Source: WTO, Timor-Leste becomes the 166th member, August 30, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 30, 2024
Everything But Arms (European Union)
As a least developed country, Timor-Leste can ship goods to the European Union without duty or quota, except arms and ammunition.
As of 2026-11-01, Timor-Leste is on the Everything But Arms list (Annex IV, Regulation (EU) No 978/2012); a new GSP regulation applies from January 1, 2027. Check origin rules before you quote.
Source: European Union, GSP Regulation 978/2012, consolidated text, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 1, 2025
Show 1 more agreement
Developing Countries Trading Scheme
East Timor is on the scheme’s Comprehensive Preferences tier, which gives the lowest duties on goods that meet the origin rules.
As of October 31, 2026, the tier list read was published June 19, 2023; check the current list before you quote.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers, 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 Timor-Leste
- Register the business and get a commercial license from SERVE, with the company statute and tax number.Business Registration and Verification Service, Public Institute (SERVE, I.P.)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: TradeInvest Timor-Leste, Exporter Guide, start the export process (opens in a new tab) · as of 2022
- Get a tax identification number and a debt certificate from the Tax Authority.Autoridade Tributária Timor-LesteOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: TradeInvest Timor-Leste, Exporter Guide, start the export process (opens in a new tab) · as of 2022
- Register the premises with the Quarantine and Biosecurity Unit, then request a phytosanitary certificate for plants, plant products or wood.Unidade de Quarentena e BiossegurançaRequest at least 3 working days before exportOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Jornal da República, Ministerial Diploma 43/2025, plant exports (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 26, 2025
- Register the exporter profile with the General Directorate of Commerce, then request a certificate of origin if the buyer claims a trade agreement preference.Direção-Geral do ComércioIssued within 3 working days of the requestOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Jornal da República, Government Decree 9/2025, origin (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of July 23, 2025
Show 3 more export steps
- Ask the quality institute for a certificate of analysis if a buyer wants test results for the product.Institute for Quality of Timor-Leste, I.P.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: TATOLI, IQTL issues certificates of analysis, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 7, 2025
- Have a licensed customs broker lodge the export declaration (DAU) in ASYCUDA World at least one working day before the vessel arrives.Timor-Leste Customs AuthorityNo export processing fee since December 2, 2022Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Timor-Leste Customs Authority, exporting through Tibar Bay Port guide (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Claim the excise tax exemption if the goods leave within 28 days of production, with proof of export certified by customs.Autoridade Tributária Timor-LesteOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: TradeInvest Timor-Leste, Exporter Guide, incentives and assistance (opens in a new tab) · as of 2022
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with TradeInvest, Customs Authority and INETL. 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
Investment and export promotion agency
TradeInvest
TradeInvest Timor-Leste, I.P.
Handles investor benefit applications, publishes the negative investment list and gives exporters a step-by-step guide to procedures.
Visit TradeInvest (opens in a new tab)Source: TradeInvest Timor-Leste, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
INETL
National Institute of Statistics Timor-Leste, I.P.
Publishes monthly trade statistics, the consumer price index and national accounts that a company can use for price and market research.
Visit INETL (opens in a new tab)Source: INETL, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 21, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Commerce and industry ministry
MCI
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Sets commerce and industry policy, and its trade portal explains tariffs, measures and procedures for importing and exporting.
Visit MCI (opens in a new tab)Source: Timor-Leste Trade Information Portal, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs Authority
Timor-Leste Customs Authority
Processes export declarations electronically in ASYCUDA World, licenses customs brokers, runs the National Single Window and answers trade questions through an enquiry point.
Visit Customs Authority (opens in a new tab)Source: Timor-Leste Customs Authority, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
ATTL
Autoridade Tributária Timor-Leste
Issues tax identification numbers and debt certificates, takes tax returns through the e-Tax platform and publishes domestic tax laws and forms.
Visit ATTL (opens in a new tab)Source: Autoridade Tributária, home page with August 2026 notice (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
National quality and metrology institute
IQTL
Institute for Quality of Timor-Leste, I.P.
Checks legal metrology of equipment and takes part in national work on technical barriers to trade and sanitary measures.
Visit IQTL (opens in a new tab)Source: IQTL, home page with 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of May 27, 2026
- Meet requirements
Food and economic inspection authority
AIFAESA
Autoridade de Inspeção e Fiscalização da Atividade Económica, Sanitária e Alimentar, I.P.
Inspects food, markets and supermarkets and enforces food expiry and safety controls.
Visit AIFAESA (opens in a new tab)Source: AIFAESA, news blog with December 2025 items (opens in a new tab) · as of December 30, 2025
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Petroleum regulator
ANP
Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo, I.P.
Regulates the petroleum sector and signs production sharing contracts for exploration blocks.
- Meet requirements
Minerals regulator
ANM
Autoridade Nacional dos Minerais Timor-Leste, I.P.
Regulates mining and mineral resources, including the public tender process for mineral licenses.
Visit ANM (opens in a new tab)Source: ANM, home page with October 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of October 21, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
CCI-TL
Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents private businesses, offers training and advocacy, and has networks in all 13 municipalities.
Visit CCI-TL (opens in a new tab)Source: Timor-Leste Customs Authority, trade organizations page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. Worth knowing
End of Bayu-Undan production
The Central Bank says the end of Bayu-Undan production has materially altered the fiscal and external environment, and petroleum was 67.4 percent of 2023 exports.
What to do: Look at non-oil goods separately when you size exports or a local market.
Sources: Banco Central de Timor-Leste, Mid Term Economic Review, 2026 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Timor-Leste exports by destination, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Certificate of origin
Government Decree No. 9/2025 names the General Directorate of Commerce as issuer for trade agreement preferences; one-way preferences follow the importing country’s rules.
What to do: Register your exporter profile with the General Directorate of Commerce before you ask for a certificate.
Sources: Jornal da República, Government Decree 9/2025, origin (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab); TradeInvest Timor-Leste, Exporter Guide, start the export process (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
ASEAN tariff schedule
The Council of Ministers approved Timor-Leste’s final ATIGA commitment schedule on February 20, 2026; no Parliament approval appears in the gazette to October 31, 2026.
What to do: Confirm the duty rate in force with the Customs Authority before you price a shipment.
Sources: Government of Timor-Leste, Council of Ministers, February 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Government of Timor-Leste, Council of Ministers, September 25, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Currency and settlement
The Central Bank calls the economy fully dollarized and warns that high import dependence passes external price shocks into domestic prices.
What to do: Price and settle in United States dollars and watch import costs in your margins.
Sources: Banco Central de Timor-Leste, Mid Term Economic Review, 2026 (opens in a new tab); World Bank, WDI country metadata, Timor-Leste, 2026 (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 Timor-Leste project.
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Promote:Timor-Leste 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.