USD 37.80·EUR 42.10

Doing business with the United States

The United States is Suriname's largest supplier: USD 486 million of machinery, fuel, electronics and poultry in 2025. Suriname sold USD 75 million there, mainly fish and shrimp. There is no trade agreement, so you pay the normal tariff, and US tariff rules have changed three times since 2025.

Exports from Suriname (2025)
USD 74.6 million
US Census Bureau
Imports into Suriname (2025)
USD 486.5 million
US Census Bureau
Trade regime
No agreement
normal US tariff (HTS)
On this page (12)
In short
  • No trade agreement, no Caribbean Basin preference and no GSP: you pay the normal US tariff.
  • In July 2026 Suriname was not on the list of 60 countries with the new Section 301 duties; have the rate confirmed per shipment.
  • Food to the US: FDA registration and a prior notice for each shipment.
  • Since 17 September 2025 ships sailing to the US via Suriname must apply extra security measures.

Trade in figures

According to the US Census Bureau, the US exported USD 486.5 million to Suriname in 2025 and imported USD 74.6 million from Suriname. In the first eight months of 2026 the figures were USD 379.0 million and USD 58.1 million. The US has been Suriname's largest supplier for years.

Exports to Suriname in 2025 were mainly machinery (USD 120 million), fuel and oil products (USD 63 million), electrical equipment (USD 46 million) and meat, mostly poultry (USD 30 million). Imports from Suriname were mainly fish and shellfish (USD 45 million), ores (USD 12 million) and timber (USD 6 million) (UN Comtrade, US figures).

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

Suriname has no trade agreement with the US and is not a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative. The US GSP lapsed at the end of 2020. Surinamese goods therefore pay the normal rate from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).

On top of that, from April 2025 a general additional tariff of 10% applied to almost all countries, including Suriname. On 20 February 2026 the US Supreme Court ruled that those duties under the IEEPA emergency law were not allowed. From 24 February 2026 a temporary global tariff of 10% applied (Section 122), which expired on 24 July 2026. Since then Section 301 duties apply to 60 countries, including Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, China and India. According to the July 2026 overview, Suriname and Jamaica are not on that list. Steel, aluminium and some other products have separate duties (Section 232). Have your buyer or their customs broker confirm the current rate for your HS code before you agree a price.

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

Market access in practice

For food, the producing or packing facility must be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the importer notifies each shipment in advance (prior notice). Fish and shrimp fall under the FDA's seafood HACCP rules, plants, fruit and timber under the USDA (APHIS). Labels must be in English with a US nutrition facts panel. The FDA can detain shipments if something is not in order.

Most Surinamese exporters sell to an importer or wholesaler in Florida or New York who handles the import formalities. The US embassy and the Department of Commerce publish a Country Commercial Guide on Suriname, aimed mainly at US companies that want to sell in Suriname.

Transport and travel

Surinam Airways flies to Miami, and Amerijet flies cargo between Paramaribo and Miami. Containers from the US usually come via Florida or via transhipment in the Caribbean.

Since 17 September 2025 the US Coast Guard considers that Surinamese ports lack effective antiterrorism measures. Ships that call at Suriname as one of their last five ports and then sail to the US must apply security level 2 in Suriname: guarded access, a Declaration of Security with the port facility and a report to the Coast Guard. The Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) set this out in an instruction of 30 October 2025. For exporters this can mean extra cost or fewer port calls; ask your shipping line what it means for your route.

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 Washington and a consulate general in Miami. The US has an embassy in Paramaribo, with a commercial section that works with the US Commercial Service. In June 2025 it organised a US trade delegation to Staatsolie's Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS).

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 American Chamber of Commerce of Suriname (AmCham Suriname) brings Surinamese and US companies together. If you as a Surinamese company want to invest in the US (an office, warehouse or production), SelectUSA at the Department of Commerce is the entry point; the SelectUSA Investment Summit took place from 3 to 6 May 2026 in National Harbor (Maryland). Ask the US embassy about delegations.

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

Opportunities

  • Fish, shrimp and seafood for importers in Florida and New York, with FDA registration and HACCP in order.
  • Supplying and partnering with US companies in oil and gas (see the oil and gas guide).
  • Buying machinery, parts and food from Florida, with short lines via Miami.
  • Diaspora products for the Surinamese and Caribbean community in the US.

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

  • Tariffs change fast and court cases are still running; state in your quote who pays any extra duties.
  • An FDA detention costs weeks; start with a small trial shipment.
  • Dollar payments go through US correspondent banks: expect questions about source and purpose.

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.