As of Saturday, April 19, 2025, here's an update on tariffs related to Cape Verde: General Tariff Rates: Cape Verde's weighted mean applied tariff rate for all products was 9.96% in 2021, a decrease from 12.18% in 2020. This indicates a general trend of slightly decreasing tariffs in recent years. Import duties are generally calculated on an ad valorem basis, meaning they are a percentage of the goods' value.   Value Added Tax (VAT): The standard VAT rate in Cape Verde is 15%, applicable to the import and sale of goods and services.   A reduced VAT rate of 8% applies to the supply of electricity and water to private consumers. Special Consumption Tax: A special consumption tax is levied on certain goods deemed superfluous, luxurious, or undesirable, with rates ranging from 10% to 150%.   The State Budget Law for 2025 introduced increases in specific taxes on imported alcoholic drinks, sugary drinks, and sweet products, as well as an increase in the tax on cigarettes.   Vehicles used for transportation (up to 5 tons) are subject to special consumption tax rates up to 150% based on their age.   Trade Agreements: World Trade Organization (WTO): Cape Verde has been a member of the WTO since 2008 and generally applies a liberal framework for processing and taxing goods.   African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): Cape Verde is eligible for preferential trade benefits under AGOA, allowing duty-free imports into the United States for certain goods.   Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): Cape Verde is a member of ECOWAS, and the United States has a trade and investment framework agreement with ECOWAS, which will benefit Cape Verde when it enters into force.   Bilateral Agreements: Cape Verde has bilateral investment agreements with several countries, including Angola, China, Cuba, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland. It also has tax treaties with Portugal, Macau, Spain, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Luxembourg.   Free Trade Agreement with China: Cape Verde has signed a free trade agreement with China. Partnership with the European Union: Cape Verde enjoys a special partnership with the European Union as a Peripheral Region Nation and benefits from the ACP-EU Samoa Agreement.   U.S. - Cape Verde Trade: In 2024, total U.S. goods trade with Cape Verde was $16.7 million. U.S. goods exports to Cape Verde in 2024 were $12.2 million, a decrease from 2023. These include vehicles, vehicle parts and accessories, machinery, and poultry. U.S. goods imports from Cape Verde in 2024 were $4.5 million, also a decrease from 2023. These include processed fish, mollusks, and hard alcohol (grogue). The U.S. had a goods trade surplus of $7.8 million with Cape Verde in 2024. There are currently no bilateral trade agreements between the U.S. and Cape Verde, although Cape Verde has expressed interest in establishing a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement with the United States for over a decade.   Key Considerations for Trade with Cape Verde: CIF Method: Cape Verde calculates import duties using the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) method, meaning duties and taxes are based on the value of the imported goods plus shipping and insurance costs. Documentation: Imported goods must be accompanied by a detailed description in Portuguese. New items require a receipt, while used items need a valuation in Euros. Customs Procedures: Customs clearance can be lengthy, potentially taking several days or even weeks, and may require the assistance of a local customs broker ("Despachante"). Inspections are typically done at the port of entry. Specific Tariffs: While ad valorem tariffs are common, specific tariff rates can vary significantly depending on the type of goods. It's recommended to consult the latest official tariff schedules from the Cape Verdean government or the World Trade Organization for the most up-to-date and specific tariff rates for particular goods.