Business licences in Suriname

Most businesses in Suriname do not need a business licence: registering at the KKF (Chamber of Commerce) is enough. A licence is only required for activities on the list, such as hotels, travel agencies, petrol stations, butchers, food production, places serving food and drinks, exchange offices and bus services. You apply through the KKF and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZOTI) decides within about 35 days.

The law: from the 1981 Decree to the Businesses and Professions Act

Many people still search for the "Wet Vestiging Bedrijven en Beroepen". From 1 June 1982 to 2017 the Licensing Decree for Businesses and Professions (Decreet Vergunningen Bedrijven en Beroepen, S.B. 1981 no. 145) applied, with the list of licensed activities in the Decree on Licensed Businesses and Professions (S.B. 1981 no. 147). That decree was replaced by the Businesses and Professions Act (Wet Bedrijven en Beroepen, S.B. 2017 no. 40), which took effect six months after publication on 5 May 2017.

The new law turns the system around. Doing business is free (art. 3) unless a state decree places an activity in one of four categories:

• Prohibited activities.
• Licensed activities. Activities involving dangerous substances, weapons or ammunition always belong here.
• Activities that require diplomas, certificates or technical regulations, for example where people are physically treated or where lack of expertise can cause harm.
• Activities allowed only in designated economic zones.

All activities are classified with the international ISIC code (version 4, S.B. 2018 no. 69). As long as no new list has been adopted, the decrees and orders under the old decree remain in force (art. 34). In practice the list the KKF uses is the reference. Up to October 2026 we found no complete new list under article 3 of the Act.

Has the list become shorter?

Yes, in three steps.

1. 2011 (S.B. 2011 no. 64). The list went from over 120 businesses and professions to about 40. Tailors, bakers, photo studios, printers, cleaning companies, driving schools, importers, exporters, wholesalers and many small manufacturers no longer need a licence, only trade register registration. District commissioners lost their power to license trades; those licences now go through the ministry.
2. 2019 (S.B. 2019 no. 34 and 35). Since 1 April 2019 no licences are issued for selling provisions and general goods. Existing licences became a general shopkeeper's licence, which does not allow selling fireworks, weapons, pesticides, prescription medicines, fuel, spirits, contact lenses, erotic articles or sand and shells. Separate licences apply to those products. The minister set the general conditions for all licence holders in one order.
3. 2024 (S.B. 2024 no. 62). For architects, consulting engineers, building and civil engineering contractors and building technicians, the licence was replaced by a competence assessment and registration in the Professions Register (Beroepenregister). Registration costs SRD 500, is valid for three years and renewal must be requested at least three months before expiry (also SRD 500). An extract from the register costs SRD 300. The assessment committee decides within 30 days.

Note: the KKF list still names contractors, architects and engineering firms under EZOTI. When registering, ask whether the KKF expects a licence or proof of registration in the Professions Register.

Which activities need a licence?

This is the list the KKF uses in 2026: these businesses and professions must show a licence when registering. If your activity is not on it, in principle you only need KKF registration. If in doubt, ask the KKF or the authority named; the KKF itself notes that the list may change.

Authority	Activities
Ministry of EZOTI	Contractor (civil, building, construction, earthworks, painting, installations); amusement games; architect and building technician; crop spraying; customs broker; manufacturer of food, ice, animal feed, alcoholic drinks, oxygen, acetylene, cement, paint, household and industrial articles; processing of fish, nuts and poultry; water filtering and bottling; building and repair of steel or plastic vessels; gold and silversmith; hotel; sawmill; engineering or consulting firm; pest control; hair salon; inspection body; airline; rice mill (pelmolen); guesthouse or apartment complex; travel agency; petrol station; butcher; insurer; shop selling cars, fuel in drums, medicines (including pharmacy), propane, sawn timber, erotic articles, meat, agricultural chemicals, live animals and veterinary drugs (pet shop) or oxygen
District commissioner	Place serving food and drinks; sale of spirits in factory packaging; stallholder on the public road; public entertainment; Nuisance Act permit (Hinderwetvergunning)
Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS)	Exchange office (cambio) or banker; money transfer business
Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (TCT)	Bus service; radio broadcasting; television; airline with an economic licence; drone operations
Telecommunications Authority Suriname (TAS)	Internet service provider; internet café; call shop
Ministry of VWA (labour)	Temporary employment agency
Ministry of Natural Resources, Geological Mining Service (GMD)	Concession holder (mining, including gold)

Not on the list, so in principle free after KKF registration: an ordinary grocery or clothing shop (the KKF list only names shops in certain products; if in doubt ask the One Stop Window, because the 2019 order still refers to a general shopkeeper's licence), an online shop, an IT or consulting firm (not an engineering firm), a non-industrial bakery, a cleaning company, a printer, importing and exporting free goods. Always check whether your product or location falls under another rule, such as the Negative List, the Building Act or environmental law.

Applying for a licence from EZOTI

The ministry has separated application from assessment. The KKF is the front office: you file there, submit documents there and get your answer there. The ministry is the back office and decides. You can file at the counter of the KKF One Stop Window or online through the KKF E-Services. Since November 2024 processing runs on a digital platform that also connects advisory bodies such as the environmental institute, the Public Health Bureau (BOG) and Public Works.

Steps and deadlines

1. File. At the KKF, with all documents and proof of payment.
2. Publication within 7 days. The ministry publishes your application in the Official Advertiser (Advertentieblad), in newspapers or online.
3. 14 days for objections. Interested parties, such as neighbours, can object to your business. This is not possible if your business is in a designated economic zone or poses no particular health or environmental risk.
4. Decision within 14 days after publication, or after the objection period ends. About 35 days in total.
5. Late? Send the ministry's director a registered letter asking for a decision. The director must then decide within 14 days. If no decision follows, objection and appeal are open to you.

According to the ministry, entrepreneurs used to wait up to seven months; in May 2026 the minister said applications are now handled within the legal term of one month, with reasons given for a refusal.

Documents (KKF One Stop Window list)

• Three identical recent passport photos
• Tax statement (belastingverklaring): proof that you have no tax debt or have a payment arrangement
• Extract from the population register and a nationality statement
• Copy of your residence permit if you are not a Surinamese national
• For producing or selling food and drinks: health certificate from your GP, stamped by the BOG
• Receipt for the paid licence fee
• The property owner's approval or the lease (signatures legalised) and a mortgage register extract
• KKF extract with the contribution stamp (proof that the annual contribution is paid)
• Copy of the articles for a legal entity
• Diplomas, transcripts or CV if expertise is required
• Building drawing of the premises

Costs

The licence fee (vergunningsrecht) is SRD 304.50. Through the One Stop Window you pay SRD 550 in total, including the licence fee and other costs. If you pay yourself, the KKF says this can be done at the cash desk of the district commissioner of Paramaribo North-East (Van Sommelsdijckstraat) or at the Public Works cash desk (Jagernath Lachmonstraat). The law allows fees to be changed by state decree; check the amount with the KKF.

Who can apply

A resident of Suriname, a citizen of another CARICOM country, or a legal entity (including a foreign legal entity that has established itself according to the rules). A legal entity receives the licence in its own name; the required expertise must then be present in a director or employee.

Validity, conditions and renewal

• Indefinite. A licence is in principle valid indefinitely (art. 7). Only for categories designated by state decree is it granted for a fixed term; such a licence renews automatically unless the minister gives reasoned notice at least six months in advance that it will not be renewed. Renewal requires paying the licence fee again.
• Conditions. Every licence carries general conditions (S.B. 2019 no. 35) and sometimes special conditions from advisory bodies such as the BOG, the environmental institute, the Veterinary Service or the Fire Service. Examples: premises and pavement free of wrecks and waste, a 7 kg powder extinguisher within reach, no infringement of trademarks and copyright, opening hours under the Shop Opening Hours Decree and the Sunday Rest Act, and allowing inspectors in.
• Personal. Only the licence holder may run the business for its own account. Renting out or lending the licence is prohibited unless the director gives written consent (art. 10).
• Transfer and moving. The licence lapses on transfer, on moving (if location-bound), on death or on dissolution of the legal entity. Apply to change the name on the licence 30 days before a transfer or move; this is treated as a new application. On death or dissolution the licence continues for 6 months, extendable twice, so heirs can arrange the change of name.

Licences from the district commissioner

The district commissioner (DC) of the district where your business will be located falls under the Ministry of Regional Development and still issues licences for:

• Places serving food and drinks (restaurant, snack bar, bar, café) and the sale of spirits, under the Drinking Houses and Public Entertainment Act (G.B. 1944 no. 64). Serving food and drinks commercially requires a licence and the DC can set conditions, for example on serving certain groups. Citizens and companies from CARICOM countries have been treated equally since 2006 (S.B. 2006 no. 15).
• Public entertainment, such as parties and events.
• Stalls on the public road.
• Nuisance Act permit (Hinderwetvergunning) for businesses that may cause danger, damage or nuisance to the surroundings.

Ask the commissioner's office for your area (ressort) about the forms, fees and renewal period; these are not published centrally. A restaurant or bar usually also needs a building permit, fire service advice and a health certificate (see below).

Sector licences

Food and hospitality

Food production (food, ice, drinks, meat products, fish and poultry processing) needs a manufacturer's licence from EZOTI, with conditions set by the BOG. Anyone selling or preparing food needs a health certificate from their GP, stamped by the BOG. Butchers and meat sellers also need veterinary permits for pork, mutton, goat and beef and must meet hygiene rules: pest control, hand washing facilities, a staff changing room and an annual medical check.

Pharmacy and medicines

A shop selling packaged or unpackaged medicines, including a pharmacy, needs an EZOTI licence. Special conditions from the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate apply. For importing medicines, the IUD service asks for a certificate from the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate or the Medicines Registration Bureau.

Transport

A bus service, airline or drone operation needs a licence from the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (TCT). For a transport business the KKF asks at registration for the vehicle registration certificate, driving licence, inspection certificate, insurance certificate and, if relevant, a statement of no objection and purchase agreement. Taxis are not listed separately on the KKF list; ask the Ministry of TCT which licence and registration you need.

Gold and mining

Mining, including small-scale gold mining, requires a concession or mining right under the Mining Decree (S.B. 1986 no. 28), through the Geological Mining Service (GMD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources. A gold or silversmith needs an EZOTI licence. More on the gold sector: Gold and oil price.

Forestry and timber

Logging falls under the Forest Management Act (S.B. 1992 no. 80) and the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB). A sawmill needs an EZOTI licence, with fire safety, electrical and extinguisher requirements. For exporting timber and wood products you first report to the SBB; the export licence itself comes from the IUD service.

Telecom and media

Internet service providers, internet cafés and call shops need a licence from the Telecommunications Authority Suriname (TAS), under the Telecommunications Facilities Act (S.B. 2004 no. 151). Radio and television fall under the Ministry of TCT.

Financial services

Banks, exchange offices (cambios) and money transfer businesses need a licence from the Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS). Money transaction offices fall under the Money Transaction Offices Supervision Act 2012. An insurer is on the EZOTI list; also ask the CBvS which supervision rules apply before you start.

Tourism: hotels, guesthouses, travel agencies and guides

Hotels, motels, guesthouses, apartment complexes and travel agencies need an EZOTI licence. For a hotel, motel or guesthouse there are requirements on capital, business knowledge and competence (S.B. 1992 no. 30 and 33), and for tour operators S.B. 1992 no. 34. The Tourism Framework Act (S.B. 2023 no. 88) has the Suriname Tourism Authority develop standards and guidelines for the sector together with the Suriname Standards Bureau; businesses that meet them can be certified. New: in December 2025 the standards for tourist accommodation (SSB 020:2020) and for tour guides (SSB 011:2019) became technical regulations. They take effect after a two-year transition period, so around the end of 2027. For accommodation they include a minimum bedroom size of 20 m².

Security, weapons and gambling

Under the Businesses and Professions Act, activities involving weapons, ammunition or dangerous substances always fall in the licensed category. Private security companies are not on the KKF list; ask the Ministry of Justice and Security and the KKF which licences apply before you deploy staff. Importing and selling fireworks requires permission from the Office of the Attorney General. Casinos and gambling fall under the Games of Chance Act (Wet Hazardspelen, S.B. 2023 no. 135) and the Gaming Supervision and Control Act; amusement games such as pinball machines need an EZOTI licence.

Temporary employment agencies

A temporary employment agency needs a licence from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labour (VWA), which has handled labour since July 2025. Since 27 July 2026 the ministry has not been taking new applications for this licence; ask there about the current status.

Building, fire service and environment

• Building permit. Building and renovating require a permit from the Ministry of Public Works (Building Act 1956). You pay SRD 50 in fees per application plus a permit charge under the Permit Charges Decree (S.B. 2023 no. 92). A one-storey business building: 0.20% of a fixed building value of SRD 15,000 per m², so SRD 30 per m². A home up to 70 m²: SRD 250. A commercial parking space on the verge costs SRD 2,500 a year and commercial verge paving SRD 50 per m² a year.
• Fire service. For shops, warehouses, storage buildings, hotels, guesthouses, schools, cinemas, day care centres and storage of flammable materials, the issuing authority first asks the Prevention Department of the Suriname Fire Service for advice. That advice comes within 30 days. The permit follows only after you have carried out the fire safety requirements (Fire Safety Order, S.B. 2007 no. 118).
• Environment. Under the Environmental Framework Act (S.B. 2020 no. 97) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Decree (S.B. 2025 no. 23), the National Environmental Authority (NMA) decides whether a project needs an environmental impact assessment (MEA). Category A requires a full MEA, category B a more limited study set by the NMA, category C no MEA. Category C includes hair salons, panel beating and spray shops, gold and silversmiths, non-industrial bakeries and shops selling fuel in drums or agricultural chemicals. Separately, an environmental permit or a hazardous substances permit may be mandatory; ask the NMA whether that applies to you.

Import and export licences

Since trade liberalisation on 1 September 1999 anyone may import and export freely after KKF registration. So you do not need a business licence as an importer. Only goods on the Negative List (Negative List Decree, S.B. 2003 no. 74) are banned, licensed or subject to special treatment. You apply for that licence at the Import, Export and Foreign Exchange Control service (IUD) of EZOTI, with the H-03 form. If another ministry's advice is needed, get it first. For some goods a certificate is enough, for example from the BOG for food.

• Licence first, then ship. The licence must be in hand before import or export (art. 9 Goods Traffic Act, S.B. 2003 no. 58). The ministry stresses that you may not ship goods before you have the import licence.
• SESW. Since 1 October 2025 products on the Negative List are registered online as far as possible in the Suriname Electronic Single Window (SESW). To register as a company you need a signed form with company stamp, copies of ID card and driving licence (front and back), a copy of your passport, a KKF extract and a tax statement with a copy of your tax number, all no older than six months.
• Amended Negative List. Since 21 May 2026 (S.B. 2026 no. 39) it is prohibited to import buses for ten or more people older than fifteen years and passenger cars older than eight years. Exceptions: cars that have demonstrably been part of a returning migrant's household goods for more than two years, and collector's cars older than 35 years. Applications filed up to and including 31 October 2026 are still handled under the old procedure; from 1 November 2026 the adjusted procedures apply.

More on customs, import duties and VAT on imports: Importing goods. On exports: Exporting from Suriname.

Fines and enforcement

Supervision lies with EZOTI's Economic Control Service (ECD) and designated bodies, such as the Suriname Standards Bureau for technical regulations. The Businesses and Professions Act provides these sanctions:

Offence	Sanction
Running a business without a licence, without a required diploma or certificate, or against zoning rules	Administrative fine up to SRD 1,000
Breaching a licence condition	Fine up to SRD 1,000; revocation if instructions are not followed
Late request to change the licence name on transfer or move	Fine equal to the licence fee for the change
Binding instruction not followed	Restoration at own cost, penalty payment up to SRD 500 a day with a maximum of SRD 100,000, closure
Danger to public order, safety, health or the environment	Immediate closure
Repeated offence	Economic offence (Economic Offences Act); intent causing injury or serious risk is a crime
Not registering at the KKF or no KKF number on invoices	Fine up to SRD 50,000 (Trade Register Act)

You are always heard or summoned before a fine, penalty payment, closure or revocation is imposed. The power to impose a fine lapses three years after the offence was established. The decision is published in a daily newspaper.

Refused? Objection and appeal

1. Objection within 30 days to the body that decided, with your name, address, date, the decision and your grounds. The body decides within 7 days after hearing you.
2. Administrative appeal within 30 days to the minister. The minister decides within 30 days.
3. Appeal to the cantonal court against the decision on administrative appeal, or if no decision was taken in time. The court can annul the decision, set a deadline and impose a penalty payment on the government.

While the period runs or your objection has not been decided, a restoration order, closure (except immediate closure) or revocation is suspended.

Costs and timeline

What	Cost	Time
EZOTI business licence	Licence fee SRD 304.50; via One Stop Window SRD 550	About 35 days; valid indefinitely
Change of name on licence	Licence fee again	Apply 30 days in advance
Professions Register (architect, contractor, engineer, technician)	SRD 500; extract SRD 300	Assessment within 30 days; valid 3 years
District commissioner licences	Ask the commissioner's office	Ask the commissioner's office
Building permit	SRD 50 fee plus permit charge	Fire service advice within 30 days
Import licence (Negative List)	Ask the IUD service	Before shipment

Common mistakes

• Assuming you need a licence. Many entrepreneurs pay for a licence that has not existed since 2011, for example as a baker, tailor, importer or wholesaler. Check the list first.
• Assuming you do not need one. If you also sell medicines, fuel in drums, propane or meat alongside ordinary goods, you need a licence for that part.
• Starting while the application is pending. Wait for the decision. The fine is limited, but closure and problems with the bank and the KKF cost more.
• Moving or selling without notice. A location-bound licence lapses when you move; a licence lapses on transfer. Apply for the change 30 days in advance.
• "Borrowing" a licence. Working under someone else's licence is prohibited and the real holder stays liable.
• Ordering goods before the import licence. Storage costs in the port add up quickly. Register in SESW in time.
• Forgetting the fire service. For shops, storage, restaurants and hotels the permit only comes after fire service advice has been carried out.

Read next: Start a business · Government offices and contacts · Business resources · Investing in Suriname

Sources

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• Besluit vergunningplichtige Bedrijven en Beroepen, S.B. 1981 no. 147
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• Doing Business Dutch Caribbean: business licence

Checked on 21 October 2026. General information, not legal advice.