Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Sao Tome and Principe

Africa · 1 port guide

In 2025 the United States exported $13.4 million of goods to Sao Tome and Principe and imported $198 thousand from there. Sao Tome and Principe ranked 197th among US export markets and 215th among sources of US imports.

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2 ports in Sao Tome and Principe recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$13.4MUp 1226.0% on 2024 ($1.0 million)
US imports, 2025
$198KDown 65.4% on 2024 ($572 thousand)
Goods balance
$13.2MUS surplus
Export market rank
197thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
215thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Sao Tome and Principe

Articles of iron or steel (chapter 73) led US exports to Sao Tome and Principe at $6.9 million, 51% of the total. The top three chapters made up 92%.

  1. 73Articles of iron or steel$6.9 million51.4%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$4.4 million33.3%
  3. 82Tools and cutlery$912 thousand6.8%
  4. 86Railway equipment$528 thousand4.0%
  5. 98Special classification provisions$167 thousand1.2%

US imports from Sao Tome and Principe

Tools and cutlery (chapter 82) led US imports from Sao Tome and Principe at $56 thousand, 28% of the total. The top three chapters made up 74%.

  1. 82Tools and cutlery$56 thousand28.1%
  2. 99Special import reporting provisions$50 thousand25.0%
  3. 18Cocoa and cocoa products$41 thousand20.8%
  4. 98Special classification provisions$20 thousand9.9%
  5. 73Articles of iron or steel$12 thousand6.2%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Sao Tome and Principe, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Sao Tome and Principe requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Sao Tome and Principe.

Exports through the port, 2025
$121K0.9% of the US total with Sao Tome and Principe
Leading export goods
MeatHS chapter 02, $121 thousand
Imports through the port, 2025
$56K28.1% of the US total with Sao Tome and Principe
Leading import goods
Tools and cutleryHS chapter 82, $56 thousand

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in Sao Tome and Principe

1 port in Sao Tome and Principe has a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for Sao Tome and Principe: Santo Antonio.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.