USD 37.80·EUR 42.10

Doing business with Guyana

Guyana is the neighbour with the fastest-growing economy in the region and a CARICOM partner without import duty. In 2025 Guyana bought USD 185 million from Suriname, mainly fuel. Trade depends on one ferry across the Corentyne, which broke down several times in 2026.

Exports from Suriname (2025)
USD 185.3 million
Guyanese figures via UN Comtrade
Imports into Suriname (2025)
USD 27.9 million
Guyanese figures via UN Comtrade
Trade regime
CARICOM
no duty on goods of CARICOM origin
On this page (12)
In short
  • CARICOM: no duty with a certificate of origin, but phytosanitary and other requirements still apply.
  • The Canawaima ferry was suspended in August 2026 after MAS inspections; the vessel is near the end of its technical life.
  • Corentyne bridge: since June 2026 Suriname wants to finance the bridge itself; for now, plan on the ferry.
  • In March and April 2026 Guyana and Guyanese chambers protested against Surinamese charges on the river.

Trade in figures

According to Guyanese figures (UN Comtrade), Guyana imported USD 185.3 million from Suriname in 2025. Of this, USD 148.6 million was fuel and other petroleum products and USD 10.9 million crushed stone and gravel for construction. Drinks, machinery and vehicles also crossed the border. Guyana supplied USD 27.9 million to Suriname in 2025; in 2024 this was mainly fertiliser, paper, drinks and sugar.

The figures swing a lot from year to year: for 2023 Guyana reports much higher exports to Suriname (USD 166.6 million). A large part of border trade (vegetables, fruit, fish, consumer goods) is also informal and appears in no statistics.

Amounts in US dollars. Because Suriname does not report most of its exports (gold) by country, we use the partner country's figures: its imports from Suriname are Suriname's exports, its exports to Suriname are Suriname's imports. Imports usually include freight and insurance (CIF) and exports do not (FOB), so the two sides always differ somewhat.

Trade agreements and duties

Guyana and Suriname are both members of CARICOM and the CSME. Goods of CARICOM origin cross the border duty free, provided your customer has a CARICOM certificate of origin and a CARICOM invoice. For fresh farm produce, the agriculture ministers of both countries signed a protocol: only commercial shipments with the right certification are allowed, and Guyana's plant protection service checks strictly for pests and smuggling.

How rules of origin, certificates and preferential rates work is explained in Trade agreements and market access.

Market access in practice

Guyana is growing fast on the back of oil production, with strong demand for building materials, food, transport and services. Buyers are wholesalers in Georgetown and Berbice, construction firms and oil sector suppliers. Guyana is English-speaking; contracts, labels and quotes are in English. Prices are agreed in Guyanese or US dollars.

In the other direction, Guyanese businesses complain about Surinamese charges. In March 2026 Guyana lodged a formal protest against new charges for use of the Corentyne, which according to President Ali mainly affect the timber and quarry sectors. The Upper Corentyne chamber mentioned pilot fees of up to USD 2,500 per trip. In April 2026 the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce asked for the bridge talks to be suspended as long as the charges remain. Bear in mind that such disputes can also affect Surinamese exporters.

Transport and travel

Overland, everything goes via the Canawaima ferry between South Drain (Nickerie) and Moleson Creek. The vessel was a major problem in 2026. On 7 August 2026 the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) issued an ultimatum to fix shortcomings in fire safety, evacuation equipment and technical systems. On 22 August 2026 the service was suspended after technical problems; on 28 August the ferry sailed again, with a provisional authorisation to 28 September and a new inspection. According to a presidential adviser the vessel reaches its technical end in 2027. Both governments are discussing dry-docking and a replacement, and the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce is calling for a second vessel as back-up.

The Corentyne bridge has not been built. In late June 2026 the Public Works minister said Suriname wants to finance and manage the bridge itself; Guyana replied that it only recognises the existing treaties. By air: Surinam Airways and Fly All Ways fly to Georgetown (Cheddi Jagan), Trans Guyana Airways to Georgetown (Ogle). Always plan an alternative for urgent shipments.

Flights and sailing schedules change often. Check them with the airline or your forwarder before you plan. Shipping and logistics · Business trip to Suriname

Embassies and consulates

Suriname has an embassy in Georgetown, which also covers Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana has an embassy in Paramaribo and a consulate general in Nickerie.

Addresses and opening hours of Suriname's missions are on the official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: embassies.gov.sr.

Chambers, networks and support

The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) has an office in Paramaribo and one in Guyana, organises meetings for businesses from both countries and in 2025 proposed a public-private model for running the ferry service. The Guyana Suriname Private Sector Business Council was set up in March 2022 by Guyana's Private Sector Commission and the VSB. In Guyana the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce are also active.

In Suriname, SITA (export and investment promotion), the KKF and EZOTI can help. Business organisations are listed in Business associations.

Opportunities

  • Fuel, building materials (crushed stone, sand, cement) and food for the growing Guyanese market.
  • Services for the oil and gas sector that you already supply in Suriname, such as logistics, catering and maintenance.
  • Tourism and transport in the western corridor (Nickerie), once the ferry becomes more reliable.

These are possibilities that fit the trade between the two countries, not a promise of customers. Test an idea first with conversations, samples and numbers. Market research

Watch out for

  • The ferry can stop without notice: agree in your contracts who bears the risk of delay.
  • No certificate of origin or phytosanitary certificate means duty, seizure or return.
  • Political disputes (river charges, bridge, border) can suddenly affect border trade.

How to start

  1. Test the market. Look at the figures above to see what is already traded, and talk to at least three buyers or suppliers. Market research
  2. Determine the HS code and the tariff. Look up the import duty in the destination country, and whether you can get a preference. Trade agreements and market access
  3. Meet the requirements. Certificate of origin, phytosanitary or health certificate, label and any registration of your business. Exporting from Suriname
  4. Agree delivery and payment. Choose an Incoterm, a payment method (prepayment, L/C) and the currency. Accepting payments
  5. Work out the total cost. Freight, insurance, duties and margin. Price and markup · Import cost calculator
  6. Start with a trial shipment and keep all documents per shipment. Proforma invoice

Guides that help next

Other countries

Sources

Checked on 26 October 2026. General information, not legal or customs advice. Have tariffs and requirements confirmed per shipment.