Promote:
Export from Vanuatu
A short guide for companies selling from Vanuatu: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Vanuatu sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
Merchandise exports were 8873.1 million vatu in 2025, domestic exports free on board, provisional, with re-exports of 1698.5 million vatu shown apart.
Source: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, merchandise trade tables, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exportsEstimate
US$206.4 million
Services exports were US$206.42 million in 2025, flagged Estimated in the WTO, UNCTAD and ITC data; this is a services total, not merchandise.
Source: UNCTADstat, Vanuatu services exports by category (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Kava
- 2. Cocoa
- 3. Copra
- 4. Coconut oil
- 5. Tuna
- 6. Wood and wood articles
- 7. Beef
- 8. Coconut meal
Show 3 more products
- 9. Coffee
- 10. Alcoholic drinks
- 11. Vanilla
- The office lists 11 headings with 2025 values and other products at 11.9 percent of 2025 domestic exports, so the list is short and has no tariff codes. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Kava is 64.5 percent of 2025 domestic exports, so totals and changes follow kava. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Re-exports of 1698.5 million vatu in 2025 are listed apart by the statistics office and are not in this ranking. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Partners reported frozen fish and molluscs as imports from Vanuatu, US$151.7 million and US$115.4 million for 2025; the national table does not count them, so they are not ranked. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Vanuatu's last Comtrade report with exports is for 2011, so the ranking uses the statistics office's own tables, which partners' reports do not match. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The national table counts tuna, so it is ranked; it is not suggested, because all fishing needs a license and the WTO review names one joint-venture fish processing plant. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, merchandise trade tables, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- Australia13.9%
- United States12.5%
- Fiji10.8%
- Malaysia10.2%
- New Caledonia5.5%
- China5.4%
- Indonesia2.4%
- New Zealand1.9%
- Shares use the partner table's own total of 10571.6 million vatu, which counts exports and re-exports; the grouping "All others", at 32.8 percent, is not ranked. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Destinations include re-exports of 1698.5 million vatu, 16.1 percent of that total, and the table does not split re-exports by country. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The product table totals 8873.1 million vatu of domestic exports, a different basis from the destination table, so never compute a share across the two. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, merchandise trade tables, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- Five of the 11 product lines are each at least 0.5 percent of 2025 domestic exports, so the list is short and is not padded. Source (opens in a new tab)
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks kava, cocoa 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 Vanuatu’s top destinations overall.
Source: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, merchandise trade tables, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
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.
PACER Plus
Gives Vanuatu goods access to Australia and New Zealand with their tariffs removed, while Vanuatu cuts most of its own tariffs by 2029.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; the goods must meet the origin rules.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA)
Offers duty-free access to Australia and New Zealand for originating goods, with exceptions such as Australian sugar.
The WTO review says Vanuatu's access to Australia and New Zealand now runs under PACER Plus, which prevails where the two differ.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA)
Removes tariffs on originating goods traded among participating Pacific Islands Forum countries, and Vanuatu remains a participant.
Covers goods only, and the services protocol is not in force; a PICTA certificate of origin is needed.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement (MSGTA)
Gives preferential duties on originating goods traded with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
This is the original agreement in force, not the Melanesian Free Trade Agreement, which Vanuatu has not signed.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Show 3 more agreements
European Union Standard Generalized System of Preferences
Gives duty reductions or suspensions on about 66 percent of European Union tariff lines for goods that meet the origin rules.
Replaced the Everything But Arms scheme after Vanuatu left least developed status; rules-based, not unconditional access.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Pacific States
If accession takes effect, European Union market access would follow the agreement's terms instead of the standard preference scheme.
The European Union approved accession in October 2025; Vanuatu's deposit and the start of provisional application were not confirmed.
Source: Official Journal record, Council Decision 2025/2141, Vanuatu accession (opens in a new tab) · as of October 24, 2025
United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme
Gives duty-free access on 92 percent of United Kingdom tariff lines under Enhanced Preferences for goods that meet the origin rules.
Moved from Comprehensive to Enhanced Preferences on January 1, 2026; rules-based, not unconditional access.
Source: GOV.UK, Vanuatu preference tier graduation notice, June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 9, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Vanuatu
- Register on ASYCUDA World with the customs department to get a Customs Identification Number; goods exporters need no business license.Department of Customs and Inland RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- Get the export permit or license your goods need; prescribed agricultural commodities need a permit from the agriculture department.Department of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- For kava, meet the National Quality Standard for Kava Export, which aligns with the Codex regional standard for kava products.Vanuatu Bureau of StandardsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- Get the Biosecurity Vanuatu certificates: for kava a facility, export and phytosanitary certificate; for beef and fish a health certificate.Biosecurity VanuatuOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Vanuatu Trade Portal, kava export procedure, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more export steps
- Request the certificate of origin for the preference you claim; the customs department is the designated authority.Department of Customs and Inland RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Customs and Inland Revenue Department, rules of origin handbook, 2013 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 19, 2013
- Lodge the export declaration and documents electronically with customs; in practice only licensed customs brokers and licensed personnel can access the system.Department of Customs and Inland RevenueGreen lane clears in minutes, yellow lane in two days, red lane in three daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with MTC and DCIR. 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 industry ministry
MTC
Ministry of Trade & Commerce
Runs trade development, industry and cooperative programs, including work on market access and trade facilitation for Vanuatu businesses.
Visit MTC (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Trade and Commerce, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get advice
Industry and trade promotion department
Department of Industry
Issues industrial permits and duty exemptions to local manufacturers, and runs programs for value-added industry and small businesses.
Show 4 more organizations
- Get advice
Regional trade promotion agency
PTI
Pacific Trade Invest
Regional body
Supports Pacific businesses that want to export or attract investment; its 2026 export survey includes a report on Vanuatu.
- Research markets
National statistics office
VBOS
Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics
Publishes monthly merchandise trade tables, consumer price index releases and other national statistics.
Visit VBOS (opens in a new tab)Source: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, merchandise trade releases, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Central bank
RBV
Reserve Bank of Vanuatu
Runs a finance facility for exporters, tourism services and import substitution, and sets monetary and exchange rate policy.
Visit RBV (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- Meet requirements
Regional trade agreement support unit
PPIU
PACER Plus Implementation Unit
Regional body
Links businesses, through their trade ministry, to PACER Plus training, export readiness and market access support.
Visit PPIU (opens in a new tab)Source: PACER Plus Implementation Unit, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs and tax authority
DCIR
Department of Customs and Inland Revenue
Runs customs clearance on ASYCUDA World, tax identification numbers, VAT and business licensing.
Visit DCIR (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Plant and animal health authority
Biosecurity Vanuatu
Certifies agricultural, kava, beef and fish exports and inspects export facilities.
Visit Biosecurity Vanuatu (opens in a new tab)Source: Biosecurity Vanuatu, exports page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
National standards body
VBS
Vanuatu Bureau of Standards
Sets national standards, provides testing facilities and runs the national standard packhouse system for root crop exports.
Visit VBS (opens in a new tab)Source: Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Agriculture department
DARD
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Issues export permits for prescribed agricultural commodities and runs cocoa and kava support programs.
Visit DARD (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- Meet requirements
Fisheries regulator
Fisheries Department
Vanuatu Fisheries Department
Implements and enforces fisheries management laws and runs licensing and compliance for fishing.
Visit Fisheries Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Vanuatu Fisheries Department, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
VCCI
Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Offers exporters business training, marketing advice and quality assurance guidance.
Visit VCCI (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
6. Worth knowing
Export concentration
Kava was 64.5 percent of 2025 domestic merchandise exports, and the WTO review puts the export concentration index at 0.368 in 2024.
What to do: Check demand and prices for your own product before you rely on national export totals.
Sources: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, merchandise trade tables, December 2025 (opens in a new tab); WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Kava export rules
Kava root, chips and stick exports are reserved for citizens, kava chips and powder pay a 2 percent export duty, and shipments need three Biosecurity Vanuatu certificates.
What to do: Confirm with Biosecurity Vanuatu which certificates your kava product needs before you ship.
Sources: Vanuatu Trade Portal, kava export procedure, read 2026 (opens in a new tab); Export Duties (Amendment) Act No. 35 of 2021, customs copy (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Logistics and border performance
The WTO review says trade costs stay high from diesel-based electricity, damaged transport links and limited repair and processing capacity.
What to do: Ask for shipping and cold-chain quotes early, and allow for disruption when you set delivery dates.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Climate and water
The WTO review estimates natural disasters cost about 6 percent of GDP a year, and 77 percent of surveyed businesses in 2026 were disrupted by extreme weather.
What to do: Prepare stock, insurance and delivery dates for cyclone season.
Sources: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab); Pacific Trade Invest, Pacific Islands Export Survey 2026, Vanuatu (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more
United States tariffs
A presidential memorandum of July 23, 2026 sets Section 301 tariffs on goods of 60 named economies, and Vanuatu is not among them.
What to do: Check the current United States duty on your product with your importer before you quote a price.
Source: Federal Register, presidential memorandum on Section 301 tariffs, July 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 Vanuatu project.
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Promote:Vanuatu 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.