Sending a package to Antigua and Barbuda – costs, customs and delivery time

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Shipping from

21.14 €

Delivery in

3-19 days

Guaranteed total cost for Platinum customers

DDP shipping to Antigua cannot be guaranteed across the board.

With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping, the sender bears the agreed import duties and handling costs. This is intended to ensure that the recipient receives the package with as little additional payment as possible.

For Antigua and Barbuda, however, DDP must be checked before each booking. Not every parcel service supports the invoicing of customs duties, ABST, and other charges to the sender.

With DHL Parcel International, any applicable import duties are always collected from the recipient. Customs clearance at the expense of a third party is not possible with this product. DHL Parcel International: Information on destinations 2026

The following questions should be answered before sending a DDP shipment:

• Does the selected express service support DDP?
• Who will be registered as the importer?
• Can duties be charged to the sender's shipping account?
• Is an import license available?
• Is a local customs agent required?
• What is the import duty?
• Does the general ABST principle apply?
• Does the Revenue Recovery Charge apply?
• Will there be an environmental or waste disposal fee?
• Is the address located in Antigua or Barbuda?
• Is direct home delivery possible?
• Who covers storage and testing costs?
• What happens if an import is refused?

DDP can be useful for:

• Online orders with a fixed total price
• high quality spare parts
• Warranty and replacement deliveries
• Technical Devices
• Hotel and catering supplies
• Deliveries to business customers
• regularly recurring programs
• urgent express deliveries

If DDP is not available, the shipment can be sent as DAP. In this case, the recipient is usually responsible for customs duties, ABST, RRC, and local clearance fees.

The recipient should be informed about this at the time of purchase.

Are there any customs fees for shipments to Antigua?

Yes. Many imported goods are subject to customs duties. The exact rate depends on the customs tariff number, type of goods, origin, and any applicable customs benefits.

Antigua and Barbuda generally uses the CARICOM common external tariff. However, national exceptions exist. A comprehensive WTO analysis shows that a large proportion of tariff items fall between 0 and 20 percent. For certain products, however, significantly higher rates of up to 70 percent are possible. WTO: Trade Policy Review Antigua and Barbuda

The customs value is generally determined according to the CIF principle. It may include:

• cart value
• Transport costs
• Insurance costs
• additional costs up to the point of import

Why is the customs tariff number important?

The customs tariff number affects:

• Amount of import duty
• ABST calculation
• Revenue Recovery Charge
• Environmental levies
• Import restrictions
• Licensing requirements
• possible customs benefits
• required product documentation

A description like "parts" or "gift" is not sufficient.

A better example would be:

“Four stainless steel replacement hinges for hotel refrigerator doors”

This description specifies quantity, material, product, and intended use.

Customs relief for goods originating in the EU

Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Therefore, goods with proven EU preferential origin may be subject to a reduced customs duty rate, depending on the tariff number.

For this to apply, the goods must meet the rules of origin. Simply shipping them from Germany is not enough.

The following currently qualify as proof of preference:

• EUR.1 movement certificate
• Exporter's declaration of origin for shipments up to €6.000
• Declaration of origin from an authorized exporter for higher values

The exact customs benefit must be checked for the customs tariff number and origin. ABST, RRC, and other fees are not automatically waived by proof of preferential origin. EU Commission: CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement

What is the import tax in Antigua and Barbuda?

The local sales tax is called Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax, short ABST.

The general ABST rate is 17 percentThe rate was increased from 15 to 17 percent on January 1, 2024. Certain basic foodstuffs and specifically favored goods may still be exempt from tax or taxed at zero percent. Government of Antigua and Barbuda: Budget Statement 2024

An exemption may not be granted solely on the basis of a low value of goods, free delivery, or the designation as a gift.

How is the ABST calculated?

The tax base can include more than just the value of the goods. Depending on the specific tax situation, the following may be included:

• CIF customs value
• Import duty
• Revenue Recovery Charge
• Environmental levies
• further statutory import costs

As a result, the actual tax burden can be significantly higher than 17 percent of the pure value of the goods.

No EU-OSS or IOSS

Antigua and Barbuda is not a member of the European Union. Therefore, EU-OSS and IOSS cannot be used for imports.

An online shop must treat the country as an independent third country. Whether the seller or the buyer bears the import costs depends on the delivery terms and the capabilities of the shipping provider.

Revenue Recovery Charge

In addition to import duties and ABST, a Revenue Recovery Charge, short RRC, raised.

The regular rate is 10 percentThe RRC is generally levied on imported goods and is usually based on the CIF value. Exceptions exist for certain goods and equipment. Revenue Recovery Charge Act 2010

Possible exceptions include, but are not limited to:

• certain medications
• Books and printed materials
• selected agricultural inputs
• certain fishery products
• individual means of production for export goods
• Explicitly exempted institutions

Whether an exception applies must be checked based on the customs tariff number and the intended use.

Environmental and waste disposal fees

Additional charges may apply to certain products. These include:

• Disposal Levy
• Environmental Levy
• National Solid Waste Levy
• product-dependent excise taxes
• fixed environmental levies

Examples of those potentially affected include:

• Tires
• vehicle batteries
• Electrical devices
• refrigerators
• Air Conditioners
• microwave
• Plastic and glass containers
• Motor vehicles
• certain beverage packaging

The customs authority lists import duties, RRC, ABST, and environmental and disposal charges as separate types of charges. Customs and Excise Division: Duties and Taxes Collected

Revenue Recovery Charge

In addition to import duties and ABST, a Revenue Recovery Charge, short RRC, raised.

The regular rate is 10 percentThe RRC is generally levied on imported goods and is usually based on the CIF value. Exceptions exist for certain goods and equipment. Revenue Recovery Charge Act 2010

Possible exceptions include, but are not limited to:

• certain medications
• Books and printed materials
• selected agricultural inputs
• certain fishery products
• individual means of production for export goods
• Explicitly exempted institutions

Whether an exception applies must be checked based on the customs tariff number and the intended use.

Environmental and waste disposal fees

Additional charges may apply to certain products. These include:

• Disposal Levy
• Environmental Levy
• National Solid Waste Levy
• product-dependent excise taxes
• fixed environmental levies

Examples of those potentially affected include:

• Tires
• vehicle batteries
• Electrical devices
• refrigerators
• Air Conditioners
• microwave
• Plastic and glass containers
• Motor vehicles
• certain beverage packaging

The customs authority lists import duties, RRC, ABST, and environmental and disposal charges as separate types of charges. Customs and Excise Division: Duties and Taxes Collected

Common mistakes when shipping to Antigua

Typical errors are:

• Antigua is often confused with Anguilla.
• The country is listed as "Antigua" instead of "Antigua and Barbuda".
• The destination island is missing.
• No longer duration was planned for Barbuda.
• A fictitious postal code was entered.
• The recipient's phone number is missing.
• Only one post office box was specified for an express service.
• The commercial invoice is missing.
• The product description is too general.
• The customs tariff number is incorrect.
• The country of origin is missing.
• The value of the goods was stated as zero euros.
• Transportation costs were not included.
• The Revenue Recovery Charge was forgotten in the calculation.
• Only a 17 percent reduction in sales was expected.
• No environmental tax was included in the plans.
• A required import license is missing.
• The preferential origin was stated without proof.
• DDP was booked even though the service provider only supports DAP.
• The shipment contains more than six customs items.
• The value of 5.000 XCD was exceeded without including a customs broker.
• The hazardous materials were not checked beforehand.
• Lithium batteries were misrepresented.
• Return shipping costs were not included.

Complete data and prior coordination with the recipient can prevent many of these problems.

What goods are shipped to Antigua and Barbuda?

The island nation's economy is heavily influenced by tourism, construction, trade, services, and the maritime sector. As a result, goods are regularly imported for hotels, restaurants, yachts, businesses, and private individuals.

Frequently sent:

• Hotel and catering supplies
• Kitchen Accessories
• housewares
• Clothing and shoes
• Sports and leisure goods
• Computers and monitors
• Smartphones and accessories
• network technology
• office equipment
• Electrical devices
• Solar technology
• Tools
• Machine spare parts
• car parts
• Boat accessories
• Yacht parts
• Pumps and fittings
• Air conditioning and cooling technology
• medical equipment
• Laboratory equipment
• Cosmetic products
• Product samples
• Advertising Materials
• Gifts
• Business documents

Permits or import licenses may be required for food, plants, animals, medicines, chemicals, pesticides, vehicles, weapons and certain technical equipment.