Haiti: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

Although Haiti does not grant preferred tariffs to any nation, the country is open to trade. Foreign trade represents about 50 % of the GDP.

Custom duties are not too high (from 0% to 20%), with the exception of oil (90%). The country does not have many trade barriers. However, custom duties on finished goods are higher than those on raw materials. The United States Congress adopted a law in 2008 called Hope II, which allows Haitian textile and clothing industries to benefit from a customs duties exemption system and implementing a new program of reinforcement and working conditions control in the textile and clothing sectors.

Agricultural exports recovered this year, as well as the sale of textile articles into the United States (which are exempted of customs duties by the law Hope II).

The country is vulnerable to face natural disasters. Moreover, the high cost of port transportation and the lack of investments are the main obstacles to the development of foreign trade. In spite of everything, the country offers tax incentives such as an access to free-trade.

Haiti imports much more than what it exports and the result is an enormous trade deficit, a situation that should not improve during the next coming years. The price increase of imported products is much higher than the domestic products.

The island's main trading partners are the United States, the Netherlands (mainly Netherlands Antilles) and the Dominican Republic.

Foreign Trade Indicators	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Imports of Goods (million USD)	1,682	2,315	2,124	3,200	2,900
Exports of Goods (million USD)	522	480	576	575	760
Imports of Services (million USD)	479	561	736	1,223	1,242
Exports of Services (million USD)	203	288	327	183	263
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	0	5	6	-	-
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	-3	14	10	-	-
Trade Balance (million USD)	-1,182	-1,618	-1,481	-	-
Current Account (million USD)	-86	-289	-232	-	-
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP)	52	57	58	-	-
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	39	44	44	-	-
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	13	13	14	-	-

Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank - Last Available Data.

To go further, check out our service Import export flows

Commercial Policy

Main International Economic Cooperation: Member of World Trade Organisation
Member of Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

Member of Association of Caribbean States (ACS)

Member of Organization of American States (OAS)
Assessment of Commercial Policy: Country’s commercial policy
Average Customs Duty (Excluding Agricultural Products)

List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs duties and local taxes

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