Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Sierra Leone

Africa · 1 port guide

In 2025 the United States exported $117.6 million of goods to Sierra Leone and imported $50.3 million from there. Sierra Leone ranked 145th among US export markets and 140th among sources of US imports.

Request a rate quote (757) 857-4141
3 ports in Sierra Leone recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$117.6MUp 1.3% on 2024 ($116.1 million)
US imports, 2025
$50.3MUp 75.1% on 2024 ($28.7 million)
Goods balance
$67.3MUS surplus
Export market rank
145thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
140thAmong 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 Sierra Leone

Vehicles and parts (chapter 87) led US exports to Sierra Leone at $37.4 million, 32% of the total. The top three chapters made up 69%.

  1. 87Vehicles and parts$37.4 million31.8%
  2. 39Plastics$30.3 million25.7%
  3. 98Special classification provisions$13.1 million11.2%
  4. 02Meat$11.8 million10.0%
  5. 30Pharmaceutical products$7.7 million6.6%

US imports from Sierra Leone

Ores, slag and ash (chapter 26) led US imports from Sierra Leone at $39.7 million, 79% of the total. The top three chapters made up 88%.

  1. 26Ores, slag and ash$39.7 million79.0%
  2. 20Prepared vegetables and fruit$2.8 million5.6%
  3. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$1.7 million3.4%
  4. 99Special import reporting provisions$744 thousand1.5%
  5. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$714 thousand1.4%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Sierra Leone, 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 Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone.

Exports through the port, 2025
$3.7M3.2% of the US total with Sierra Leone
Leading export goods
MeatHS chapter 02, $2.1 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$718K1.4% of the US total with Sierra Leone
Leading import goods
Wood and wood productsHS chapter 44, $260 thousand

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in Sierra Leone

1 port in Sierra Leone has a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for Sierra Leone: Bonthe and Pepel.

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.