Doing business by country
Suriname buys most from the United States, China and the Netherlands, and sells most (gold) to Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. Within CARICOM and to the EU you pay no import duty if your product is Surinamese; there is no agreement with the US, China or India. Below, for each country: the figures, the rules, the transport links and who can help.
On this page (8)
- Gold is by far the largest export and goes to Switzerland and the UAE. Excluding gold, the US (fish), Jamaica (fish and rice), Guyana (fuel) and French Guiana are the main markets.
- CARICOM (Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica): no duty with a CARICOM certificate of origin.
- EU (Netherlands, Belgium, France and French Guiana): duty and quota free under the EPA, but EU product rules apply in full.
- US, China, India, UAE, Brazil: no free trade. US tariffs changed three times in 2025 and 2026.
- Look beyond the tariff: transport (the Canawaima ferry, transhipment, flights), language and payments often decide whether a market works.
Thirteen countries in figures
Suriname's exports and imports per country, in millions of US dollars. Click a country for the rules, transport, embassies and opportunities.
| Country | Exports from Suriname | Imports into Suriname | Trade regime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | USD 15.6 m (2025) | USD 286.2 m (2025) | EU EPA |
| 🇺🇸 United States | USD 74.6 m (2025) | USD 486.5 m (2025) | No agreement |
| 🇨🇳 China | USD 39.6 m (2025) | USD 541.1 m (2025) | No agreement |
| 🇬🇾 Guyana | USD 185.3 m (2025) | USD 27.9 m (2025) | CARICOM |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | USD 0.02 m (2025) | USD 54.9 m (2025) | Rice agreement |
| 🇫🇷 France and French Guiana | USD 28.8 m (2025) | USD 11.7 m (2025) | EU EPA |
| 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago | USD 10.1 m (2025) | USD 103.5 m (2025) | CARICOM |
| 🇧🇧 Barbados | USD 6.1 m (2025) | USD 2.6 m (2025) | CARICOM |
| 🇯🇲 Jamaica | USD 62.8 m (2025) | USD 5.9 m (2025) | CARICOM |
| 🇨🇼 🇦🇼 Curaçao and Aruba | USD 2.1 m (2023) | USD 2.5 m (2023) | No agreement |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | USD 2.4 m (2025) | USD 21.8 m (2025) | EU EPA |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | USD 651.2 m (2023) | USD 50.3 m (2023) | No agreement |
| 🇮🇳 India | USD 26.5 m (2025) | USD 30.1 m (2025) | No agreement |
Source: UN Comtrade, partner country figures (queried 26 October 2026); for the US the US Census Bureau; for Curaçao and Aruba Suriname's own figures for 2023. France includes French Guiana. We use partner figures because Suriname does not report its gold exports by country. Imports usually include freight (CIF) and exports do not (FOB), so the two sides differ.
By region
CARICOM
European Union
Americas and Dutch Caribbean
Asia and the Middle East
CARICOM countries are the easiest step for goods: no duty, English-speaking, short distances. The hurdles are transport (few direct services) and phytosanitary and other requirements that differ per country. EU countries give a zero tariff, but product rules are strict; for food, timber and cocoa EU rules for Surinamese suppliers is the key guide. The US, China and India are mainly sourcing markets; selling there means paying the normal tariff and often registering first.
Choosing a target market
- Start with what already sells. Use the table and country pages to see which products already go from Suriname to a country. An existing flow means existing buyers, paperwork and transport. Market research
- Compare the tariff. Look up the import duty for your HS code in each country and whether you get a preference. Trade agreements and market access
- Check the requirements. Registration (FDA, GACC), certificates, labels and standards decide the cost of the first shipment. Exporting from Suriname · Standards and certification
- Work out the transport. Is there a direct flight or liner service, or does everything go via transhipment? Shipping and logistics
- Arrange payment and foreign exchange. How does the customer pay, in which currency, and what does the foreign exchange rule mean for exporters? Accepting payments
- Go and see, or get invited. Trade missions, trade fairs and the chambers on these pages bring the first buyers. Business events
Key developments in 2025 and 2026
- US tariffs. An extra 10% tariff (April 2025), struck down by the Supreme Court (20 February 2026), replaced by a temporary 10% tariff until 24 July 2026, then Section 301 duties for 60 countries. Suriname was not on that list in July 2026. United States
- Port security. Since 17 September 2025 ships sailing to the US via Suriname must take extra security measures.
- Guyana. The Canawaima ferry was suspended in August 2026, Suriname wants to build the Corentyne bridge itself, and Guyana protested against river charges. Guyana
- France. The border protocol on the Marowijne has not been ratified. France and French Guiana
- Netherlands. State visit in December 2025, with an MoU between VSB and VNO-NCW and agreement on a second Makandra programme. Netherlands
- Brazil. Presidential visit to Brasília on 28 May 2026 and plans for a road ring through the Guianas. Brazil
Other countries
- Switzerland. The largest buyer of Surinamese gold: USD 1,221 million in 2025 (Swiss figures via UN Comtrade). No trade agreement; refineries apply strict origin checks to gold.
- Dominican Republic. CARICOM has had a free trade agreement with the Dominican Republic since 1998. In October 2023 the governments signed MoUs on agriculture, air services, sanitary and phytosanitary matters and hydrocarbons. From 31 May to 2 June 2026 a Surinamese trade and investment mission went to Santo Domingo, visiting the export agency ProDominicana and the free zone council. Sky High flies between Paramaribo and Santo Domingo.
- Germany. Supplied USD 51.8 million to Suriname in 2024, mainly machinery and vehicles. EU rules and the EPA apply.
- Japan. Suriname imported USD 60.7 million from Japan in 2023 (Surinamese figures). Japan has no embassy in Paramaribo; its embassy in Port of Spain covers Suriname.
- Indonesia. Embassies in both capitals and a trade agreement for goods for trade fairs and exhibitions. The Javanese-Surinamese community provides cultural ties; trade itself is small.
- Cuba. CARICOM agreement on trade and economic cooperation (2000) and embassies in both capitals. Fly All Ways flies to Havana, Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba.
Foreign company looking at Suriname?
Every country page also works the other way round: you see what your country already supplies to Suriname, which embassy and chamber can help and how transport works. How to set up a company, invest and hire staff is in Investing in Suriname, Start a business and Work and residence permits. For your first visit: Business trip to Suriname. The economy in figures: Economy in figures.
Sources
- UN Comtrade: trade data by country and product (queried 26 October 2026)
- US Census Bureau: Trade in Goods with Suriname
- EZOTI: Suriname Import-Export Gids (2024)
- Holland & Knight: Section 301 duties on 60 countries (July 2026)
- Federal Register: Suriname port security (3 September 2025)
- Key News Suriname: Suriname and the Dominican Republic sign four MoUs (October 2023)
- Zanderij airport: airlines and destinations
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Suriname's embassies and consulates
Checked on 26 October 2026. General information, not legal or customs advice. Trade figures are updated every January.
Frequently asked questions
Who are Suriname's main trading partners?
In 2025 most goods came from China (USD 541 million), the United States (USD 487 million) and the Netherlands (USD 286 million). The largest buyer is Switzerland (USD 1,221 million, almost all gold); the UAE also buys a lot of Surinamese gold.
Which countries can I export to without import duty?
To the CARICOM countries (such as Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica) with a CARICOM certificate of origin, and to the EU (including French Guiana) and the United Kingdom under the EPA with an EUR.1 or origin declaration. The product must really be Surinamese.
Do I pay extra US import tariffs on Surinamese products?
From April 2025 to 24 July 2026 an extra 10% tariff applied. Since 24 July 2026 Section 301 duties apply to 60 countries; Suriname was not on that list in July 2026. The normal HTS rate still applies. Have the current rate for your HS code confirmed.
How do I ship goods to Guyana?
Overland via the Canawaima ferry between South Drain (Nickerie) and Moleson Creek; it was out of service for a week in August 2026 and is near the end of its technical life. There is no Corentyne bridge yet. For urgent shipments there is air freight to Georgetown.
Is exporting to French Guiana exporting to the EU?
Yes. French Guiana is EU territory: EU customs and EU product rules apply, as does the EPA zero tariff with an EUR.1. On top of that French Guiana charges the octroi de mer, set by the Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane.
Where do the trade figures on these pages come from?
From UN Comtrade, as reported by the partner country, and for the US from the US Census Bureau. Suriname does not report its gold exports by country, so we use the other side's figures. We update them every January.