Nicaragua – the heart of Central America – is a country with much potential to help you grow your business. Exporting to Nicaragua is not, however, without its challenges.
Notable economic growth in the late 2000s stalled in 2018 against a background of political and social unrest under an increasingly authoritarian government regime.
As Latin American cargo experts, our easy-to-understand guide to trade and export in Nicaragua will help you make sound business decisions.
While current political and social unrest and the economic downturn make Nicaragua a challenging market to do business in, there are opportunities for export and much future potential.
Thanks to the Cafta-DR free trade agreement in place with several Central American countries, the USA remains Nicaragua’s largest trading partner. Nicaragua has also firmed up free trade agreements with Mexico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Chile, and the European Union. This shows Nicaragua is open to investment and developing solid international business-to-business links.
Furthermore, Nicaragua’s Central American location gives it ready access to major shipping lanes in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This presents significant opportunities for exporters to ship cargo using short transit time transportation services.
Nicaragua has a highly organized and sophisticated private sector committed to a free-market economy, though it does require a stable and supportive government to reach its full potential.
You may choose to capitalize on Nicaragua’s popularity with tourists. Known as the ‘Land of Lakes and Volcanoes,’ it is a perfect destination for people wanting adventure and captivating scenery. Nicaragua’s tourism sector is poised for growth post-Covid-19, and further so when economic and political stability is resumed.
According to the US International Trade Administration, agro-industrial processing and auto-parts manufacturing are sectors poised for growth alongside tourism.
Nicaraguan imports tend to be dominated by manufactured goods, cosmetics, industrial machinery, and chemicals, while the country’s key exports include clothing, gold, and coffee.
Imports from the USA – Nicaragua’s biggest trade partner – totaled $2.1 billion in 2021, highlighting the opportunities for US-based exporters in particular.
The following are the primary exports to Nicaragua in 2021, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database, compiled by Trading Economics:
And these were the top US exports to Nicaragua in 2019, according to The Office of the United States Trade Representative:
The Nicaraguan market presents plenty of opportunities, however, some challenges should be taken into consideration. These include:
Below is a list of some prohibited goods or ones subject to restrictions, depending on their country of origin. Working closely with a customs broker to ensure that you are meeting all the necessary requirements is advised.
While there is a market for food imports as well as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, or hygiene products, there are a number of demands put on foreign manufacturers, in addition to the permits mentioned above, in order to obtain an import authorization. These include obtaining a Certificate of Free Sale for product registration, issued in the country of origin by competent government sanitary authorities.
Furthermore, Nicaraguan law also requires that processed food products be marked with an expiration date – even those that typically have ‘Best By’ dates. Nicaraguan importers can assist their international suppliers in meeting the requirements.
Located on the Pacific Coast, Corinto is the principal port of Nicaragua and the biggest container terminal in the country.
Bureaucracy can frustrate exports to Nicaragua. Customs procedures can be complex and lengthy. It, therefore, helps to understand the processes and challenges you may face.
The customs procedures for Nicaragua are harmonized with those of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras under the Central American Uniform Customs Code. They include uniform documents, customs information sent electronically, and electronic prepayment of charges, tariffs, and taxes. If you are already doing business elsewhere in Central America you should be reassured by this familiarity.
Be aware, however, that you may be required to complete a questionnaire and answer further questions to establish the proof of origin of your products.
Nicaragua’s Customs Authority (DGA) has been seeking ‘proof of origin’ even for products previously established as originating in the USA. Businesses have raised concerns that the information required includes sensitive business data or trade secrets. It remains an ongoing issue.
If you are new to trading with Nicaragua, customs duties will be a key consideration.
If you are a US exporter, the free trade agreement means all consumer and industrial goods – and more than half of agricultural products – should enter Nicaragua duty-free. Tariffs on remaining agricultural products are set to be phased out over the next few years.
Most other products (95 percent) are subject to an external tariff of 15 percent or lower.
While customs duties tariffs are generally straightforward on paper, you need to be aware that bureaucratic delays in clearing shipments and the arbitrary use of taxes, fees, and fines can complicate the process and create unexpected trade barriers.
To get more information about customs duties, visit the DGA website.
There are a number of documents you will need when exporting goods to Nicaragua:
All imports of non-processed food must be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agricultural Health and Sanitation Office.
In addition, products to be packaged in Nicaragua need a phytosanitary or sanitary certificate from the country of origin and the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health Food Inspection Office.
Sugar requires an import license from the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Trade.
Importers must be able to document the safety and effectiveness of medicines, cosmetics, and hygiene products and obtain a sanitary registration from the Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Office.
International trade with Nicaragua is carried out by land, sea, or air, depending on the origin of the product and other factors such as transit budget and urgency.
In most cases, exports to Nicaragua will be done by ocean. The principal port for international trade is currently in Corinto on the Pacific Coast. A new deepwater port on the Caribbean coast is set to be operational by 2028. It will boost the country’s cargo capacity, reducing reliance on major hub ports in Honduras and Costa Rica.
The main airport for cargo is centrally located in Nicaragua’s capital city, Managua.
Be aware of the limitations of the road network in Nicaragua. While it is relatively well-developed on the west coast and undergoing further improvement, it remains sparser on the east coast. There are few connections between east and west, and accessing remote areas of Nicaragua can be challenging.
The most important highway is the Pan-American Highway. It runs from north to south and links Nicaragua with Honduras and Costa Rica.
Finally, there is no railway service in the country, with most lines closed in the 1990s and the last in 2001.
There are many challenges in exporting to Nicaragua, and you may be weighing up the pros and cons. There is significant demand for certain products, and there is much future potential with a stabilized government and economy.
Latin American Cargo understands the Nicaraguan market and culture. We are the ideal logistics partner to help you navigate the landscape, break into the market, and have business success.
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