WORLD  TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1
18 April 2008  
 
(08-1868) 
Trade Policy Review Body  
   
 
  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
Report by the Secretariat 
 
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 
 
Revision 
 
 
 
 
This report, prepared for the second Trade Policy Review of Antigua and 
Barbuda, has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility.  
The Secretariat has, as required by th e Agreement establishing the Trade Policy 
Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Ma rrakesh Agreement Establishing the 
World Trade Organization), sought clar ification from Antigua and Barbuda on 
its trade policies and practices. 
 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to 
Mr. Angelo Silvy (tel. 022 739 5249), and Ms. Katie Waters (tel. 022 739 5067). 
 
Document WT/TPR/G/190/ATG contains the policy statement submitted by 
Antigua and Barbuda. 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circ ulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
 session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page iii 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 Page 
I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 1 
 (1) S TRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY , OUTPUT , AND EMPLOYMENT  1 
 (2) F ISCAL POLICY  3 
 (3) M ONETARY AND EXCHANGE RATE POLICY  4 
 (4) B ALANCE OF PAYMENTS , TRADE AND INVESTMENT FLOWS  5 
 (5) O UTLOOK  6 
II. TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK 7 
 (1) G ENERAL CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK  7 
 (2) T RADE POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION  8 
 (3) F OREIGN INVESTMENT REGIME  9 
 (4) I NTERNATIONAL RELATIONS  10 
 (i) World Trade Organization 10 
 (ii) Preferential agreements and arrangements 11 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 12 
 (1) M EASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING IMPORTS  12 
 (i) Customs procedures, documentation, and registration 12 
 (ii) Customs valuation 13 
 (iii) Rules of origin 14 
 (iv) Tariffs, and other charges on imports 14  (v) Other levies and charges 18 
 (vi) Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing 19 
 (vii) Contingency measures 21  (viii) Technical regulations and standards 21 
 (ix) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 23 
 (2) M
EASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING EXPORTS  25 
 (i) Documentation, export taxes, and restrictions 25 
 (ii) Export subsidies, financing, support, and promotion 25 
 (3) M EASURES AFFECTING PRODUCTION AND TRADE  27 
 (i) Legal framework for business and taxation 27 
 (ii) Incentives and assistance 28 
 (iii) Competition policy and regulatory issues 29  (iv) Government procurement 30 
 (v) Intellectual property rights 31 
IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 33 
 (1) A
GRICULTURE  33 
 (2) M ANUFACTURING  34 
 (3) S ERVICES  34 
 (i) Main features 34 
 (ii) Telecommunications 35  (iii) Financial services 37 WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page iv 
 
 
 Page 
 
 (iv) Air transport 39 
 (v) Maritime transport 41  (vi) Tourism 42 
 (vii) Professional services 44 
 (viii) Other offshore services 46 
REFERENCES   47 
APPENDIX TABLES  49 
 
TABLES 
 
I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
 
I.1 Basic macroeconomic indicators, 2000-06       2 
I.2 Balance of payments, 2001-06        5  
II. TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK 
 II.1 Notifications to the WTO, 2001-07        11 
 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
III.1 Structure of the tariff, 2006        15 
III.2 Items subject to a 5% cu stoms service tax       15 
III.3 Summary analysis of the MFN tariff, 2006       16 
III.4 Import licensing requirements        20  
III.5 Participation in intellectual property conventions and agreements    31  
APPENDIX TABLES 
 
I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
 AI.1 Merchandise exports and re-exports by group of products, 2000-06    51 
AI.2 Merchandise imports by group of products, 2000-06      52 
AI.3 Merchandise exports and re-exports by trading partner, 2000-06    53 AI.4 Merchandise imports by trading partner, 2000-06      54 
 
 Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 1 
 
 
I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
(1) STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY , OUTPUT , AND EMPLOYMENT  
1. Antigua and Barbuda has a service-oriented econom y:  in 2005, the services sector accounted 
for over 80% of GDP (at basic prices), while cons truction accounted for some 16.2%, agriculture for 
3.6%, manufacturing for 2%, and water and electricity for 2.9%.1 
2. Traditionally, financial services have been im portant for Antigua and Barbuda, accounting for 
some 9% of GDP in 2005.  Internet gaming facilitie s are considered financia l institutions under the 
law, and are a signficant source of government revenue (see Chapter IV(3)).  The activity of hotels and restaurants represented some 10% of GDP in  2005, although the contribution of the tourism 
sector as a whole is considerably larger.  Transpor tation is also an important contributor to GDP 
(12.8%), partly due to cruise activity and the role of Antigua's airport as a regional hub.  Construction 
has continued to gain share rising from 12.8% in 2000 to 16.2% in 2005, as a consequence of the Government's investment projects, included those for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, and of private 
projects.  Although the programme to build infrast ructure for the Cricket World Cup boosted growth, 
achieving a "soft landing" after the Cup may prove a challenge.  The authorities expect growth to 
return to more normal levels, but to continue to be boosted by construc tion linked to hotel and 
housing development. 
3. Antigua and Barbuda's agricultural productio n mainly targets the domestic market;  
production is constrained by the limited water supply and labour shor tages.  Manufacturing comprises 
enclave-type assembly for export, and some producti on for the domestic market.  The main products 
are roofing galvanize, rum, garments, agri-processing, and handicrafts. 
4. GDP growth was relatively low during 2000-02, but economic growth has picked up since 
2003 (Table I.1).  Economic activity slowed somewh at in 2005 but accelerated considerably in 2006, 
with growth estimated at 12%.  This reflects rec overy in the tourism sector, but especially strong 
acceleration of construction activity ahead of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, as well as the implementation of some private projects linked to tourism.  Growth in 2006 exceeded the initial 
estimates of around 8%.
2  Strong construction activity, in partic ular in 2005, and 2006 is reflected in 
the substantial gain of GDP share of gross capital form ation;  this ratio is generally high in Antigua 
and Barbuda (around 50% or more of GDP) due  to the economy's reliance on tourism and 
construction. 
5. Antigua and Barbuda's GDP per capita, at US$11, 840 at market prices in 2005, is the highest 
among OECS countries.  In terms of purchasing power , GDP per capita was estim ated by the IMF at 
US$13,909 in the same year.3  Net aid per capita is very modest;  the World Bank estimated it at 
US$21 in 2005.4 
6. Since 2004, various structural reforms have b een introduced.  In particular, governance has 
been strengthened through the approval of the Inte grity in Public Life Act and the Anti-Corruption 
Act, the granting of discretionary tax concessions  has been tightened, the tax system has been 
                                                      
1 The totals do not add to 100% because each GD P share includes financial intermediation services 
indirectly measured (ECCB, 2006). 
2 IMF Public Information Notice (PIN) No. 07/7, 25 January 2007.  Viewed at:  
http://www.imf.org/external/np/ sec /pn/2007/pn0707.htm. 
3 IMF online information.  Viewed at:  http://w ww.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/ 
eoselgr.aspx. 
4 World Bank (2007). WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 2 
 
 
overhauled, and social programmes have been expande d.  According to the IMF, there is a need for 
pension reform to ensure the viability of the Anti gua and Barbuda Social Security Scheme (ABSSS), 
as the combination of ABSSS' weak balance shee t and population ageing is placing increasing 
pressure on the ABSSS which has started to incur small deficits on a cash basis.5  Also, budgetary 
expenditures on civil service pensions amounted to 2% of GDP in 2005, but are projected to rise to 
5% of GDP by 2020 as the number of eligible civil service retirees increases. 
Table I.1 
Basic macroeconomic indicators, 2000-06  
 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
Real sector        
Nominal GDP at market prices (EC$ million)  1,796.3 1,882.9 1, 929.5 2,036.7 2,210. 0 2,358.2 2,716.7 
Nominal GDP at basic prices (EC$ million) 1,555.9 1,620.2 1,651.9 1,728.4 1,840.4 1,978.8 2,274.2 
Real GDP at basic prices (EC$ million) 1,249.8 1,269.0 1, 294.6 1,350.4 1,420. 9 1,496.3 1,668.6 
GDP per capita  at market prices(EC$) 24,842.0 24,489.0 24,635.0 25,529.0 27,193.0 28,485.0 32,215.0 
GDP per capita  at basic prices(EC$) 21,517.0 21,073.0 21,091.9 21,664.8 22,645.5 23,902.0 26,968.8 
GDP growth (real, market prices)  1.5 2.2 2.5 5.2 7.2 4.6 12.0 
GDP growth (real, basic prices) 3.3 1.5 2.0 4.3 5.2 5.3 11.3 
GDP components (% of GDP)        
Total consumption (% of GDP) 56.7 57.2 59.0 58.4 55.7 52.5 48.2 
Private consumption (% of GDP) 34.5 34.1 32.8 38.1 35.8 33.7 30.1 
Government consumption (% of GDP) 22.3 23.1 26.1 20.3 20.0 18.9 18.1 
Gross fixed capital formation (% of GDP) 48.0 49.8 51.3 51.8 49.9 58.7 74.3 
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 70.2 63.4 56.0 60.8 63.9 65.8 57.7 
Goods 7.9 5.9 0.9 6.0 6.8 9.4 7.2 
Non-factor services 62.3 57.5 55.2 54.8 57.1 56.4 50.5 
Imports (% of GDP) 74.9 71.5 68.7 67.2 65.4 77.0 80.3 
Goods 51.5 46.1 47.0 46.8 46.3 53.2 57.0 
Non-factor services 23.5 24.3 24.0 24.1 23.3 23.8 23.3 
Gross national savings (% of GDP) 38.0 40.5 36.0 38.3 39.7 43.6 47.7 
Foreign savings (% of GDP) 10.0 9.3 15.3 13.5 10.2 15.1 26.6 
Consumer price index (period average) 0.7 1.5 2.4 2.0 2.0 2.1 1.8 
Implicit gross value added deflator 0.6 2.6 -0.1 0.3 1.2 1.7 2.4 
General government finance (% of GDP)         
Current revenue 18.1 18.9 20.1 20.8 21.4 21.0 22.5 
of which, tax revenue 15.8 16.9 18.0 18.8 19.3 19.4 21.2 
   of which taxes on international trade 10.1 10.4 10.8 11.1 12.4 11.9 12.0 
        of which        
            Consumption tax 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.5 4.4 4.6 
         Import duties 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.8 2.8 3.0 3.0 
         Customs service charge on imports 1.5 2.1 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 
Current expenditure 26.6 25.6 28.2 24.4 25.0 24.0 23.9 
Current account balance -8.5 -6.7 -8.3 -3.7 -3.7 -3.0 -1.3 
Primary balance 0.0 -6.9 -6.9 -2.4 2.0 21.8 -2.9 
Overall fiscal balance (% of GDP) -6.3 -10.9 -11.8 -6.2 -3.0 18.0 -6.5 
Total public debt (% of GDP) 129.9 128.6 136.6 137.4 102.0 104.7 113.1 
Money and interest rates        
Money supply, M1 (end of period) 9.4 8.0 0.3 20.0 20.3 18.2 22.1 
Broad money, M2 (end of period) 5.7 4.8 3.9 21.1 9.2 6.9 13.4 
Prime lending rate (% per annum) 10-12.0 10-11.5 10.5-11 10-11.0 10-11.5 10-11.5 10-11.5 
Other lending rates 6.5-24.0 6.5-22.0 6.5-22.5 3.0-23.6 3.0-23.6 4.0-23.6 4.0-29.0 
Savings rate 4.0-8.0 4.0-8.0 3.0-8.0 3.0-4.5 3.0-5.0 3.0-4.25 3.0-4.75 
 
Source : Information provided by the authorities;  and ECCB (2006a), (2006b) and (2007a). 
7. There are no national statistics on employment.  The informal sector is relatively large;  a 
recent IMF study has estimated inform al activity at some 31.2% of GDP.6 
                                                      
5 IMF (2006). 
6 Vuletin (2007). Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
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(2) FISCAL POLICY  
8. Fiscal policy is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance and Economy.  It is the main 
macroeconomic instrument actively used to affect output, as Antigua and Barbuda, like other OECS-
WTO Members, has no independent monetary and ex change rate policy (sec tion (3) below).  As a 
result, the national authorities may only resort to fi scal policy as the main income stabilizer to counter 
the effect of external shocks.  Thus, it is important to preserve enough room for manoeuvre by 
keeping fiscal accounts balanced or in surplus.  
9. Due to the high dependency on taxes on foreign trade for revenue, fiscal policy has a strong 
link with trade policy.  Tariffs and other taxes on  international trade represented 54.5% of total 
government revenue in 2006.  The main single source of indirect tax revenue is the consumption tax, 
followed by tariffs and customs service charges;  collection has been increasing more rapidly for the 
latter than for the other two.  
10. Between 2000 and 2002, current expenditure increased rapidly and its share of GDP rose, 
leading to a widening of the current account deficit;  this increase has been fast er than the decline in 
capital outlays, so the overall fiscal balance has dete riorated.  Since 2003, and up to 2006 partly as a 
result of more rapid growth, a reduction in capital spending, improved revenue  collection, and higher 
revenue following a tightening of the concessions re gime, fiscal accounts have improved, with the 
primary balance posting a surplus in 2005, but retu rning to deficit in 2006.  In 2005 and 2006, tax 
revenue growth was supporte d by the reintroduction of the personal income tax.  The improvement in 
the fiscal accounts has occurred d espite increased expenditures, due to the implementation of new 
social programmes, and of higher capital expenditu res in advance of the 2007 Cricket World Cup 
(although these expenditures have been partly gran t financed), and an increase in the number of 
Government Ministries, which has increased the wage bill and expenditure on goods and services. 
11. The overall fiscal deficit rose to 11.8% of GDP in 2002, before declining to 3% in 2004.  
Deficits have been financed to a large extent by  arrears.  The Government's overall account showed a 
surplus of 18% in 2005, which reflects almost entirel y the Italian Government's decision to clear loans 
to Antigua and Barbuda, including outstanding arr ears, totalling US$196 million (some 26% of GDP) 
in exchange for cash payments of US$14.2 million.  Antigua and Barbuda has also renegotiated with 
domestic banks.  The IMF notes that, apart from domestic earmarked loans and a short-term revolving credit provided by domestic banks, creditors have generally not received scheduled payments in a 
timely manner for several years, and that subs tantial arrears have accumulated on government 
contributions to the statutory bodies.
7  The overall fiscal balance returned to a deficit, estimated at 
6.5% of GDP in 2006, mainly due to a substa ntial increase in capital expenditure on account of 
preparations for the Cricket World Cup 2007, whic h included building the stadium, road works, and 
airport rehabilitation.  The overall deficit in 2006 was financed partly by borrowing from the domestic 
financial system, including the Regional Governme nt Securities Market (RGSM) (EC$141.7 million), 
inflows of grants (EC$55 million), and the accumulati on of arrears.  A portion of funds raised on the 
RGSM was also used to settle outstanding obligat ions to domestic creditors and to finance the 
voluntary separation package.8 
12. The Government is conducting a major revision of  the tax regime.  An Antigua and Barbuda 
Sales Tax (ABST), imposed on both domestic and imported goods and services, was introduced in 
January 2007, replacing several taxes, including th e consumption tax, as well as taxes applied under 
the Hotel Tax Act, the Hotel Guest (Levy) Act, the Restaurant and Catering Services Act, and the 
                                                      
7 IMF (2006). 
8 ECCB (2007). WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 4 
 
 
Telecommunications Act.  The general rate under the ABST is set at 15%, while the rate for the hotel 
sector is set at 10.5% (Chapter III(i)(v)).  The ABST  is expected to genera te over 30% of revenue 
from indirect taxes.  Other fiscal measures adopted  recently include the reintroduction of the personal 
income tax in April 2005;  moving the property tax to a market-value-based system, effective January 
2007;  and the implementation of a public sector i nvestment programme mechan ism to permit a more 
rational and transparent allocation of capital expenditure.  The Gove rnment is conducting a 
programme of public sector transformation to increas e the efficiency of government service provision 
and reduce the size of the civil service.  Considera tion is also being given to pension reform (see 
above).  The Government is also engaged in th e implementation of a debt management programme. 
13. Fiscal reform seems to be paying off, since th e 2006 current account defic it was equivalent to 
1.3% of GDP, well below the 3% deficit recorded in 2005.  According to the ECCB, this was traced to 
a higher rate of growth in revenue relative to th e increase in expenditure, attr ibutable to a programme 
of fiscal reforms and the expansion in economic activity.9 
14. Further fiscal consolidation could be aided by a revision of the complex system of fiscal 
incentives for investment and import duty concession,  which result in considerable forgone tax 
revenue (Chapter III(3)(ii)).  Curtailing concessions  and making them more transparent would help 
strengthen the otherwise still fragile fiscal situati on, and would enhance the investment regime's 
predictability and accountability.  The authorities not e that the passing of new investment legislation 
and the establishment of the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Board to deal with all new concessions are steps in this direction (Chapter III(3)(ii)). 
15. Due to the renegotiation of public debt with It aly, the public debt/GDP ratio has decreased 
somewhat, but remains high, at some 113.1% in 2006.  Hence, debt payments and the effects of a high 
debt, together with large payments for wages and sa laries, continue to be among the main challenges 
for the Antigua and Barbuda economy. 
(3) M
ONETARY AND EXCHANGE RATE POLICY  
16. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).  
Monetary and exchange rate policy is thus dete rmined by the Monetary Council of the Eastern 
Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).  The ECCB has been responsible for monetary policy for the whole 
OECS area since 1976, keeping the EC dollar pegged to  the U.S. dollar at a rate of EC$2.70/US$1.  
Movements in the EC dollar real effective exchange ra te are related largely to changes in the value of 
the U.S. dollar vis-à-vis  other major currencies.  As a consequence, the EC dollar depreciated in real 
effective terms during the period under review. 
17. Both narrow money (M1) and quasi money (M2)  have been expanding rapidly since the 
acceleration of economic growth in 2003.  The growth  of M1 has been particularly swift and it is 
mainly associated with a strong expansion in demand deposits, largely linked to the inflow of funds to 
private businesses, while the more moderate increase  in quasi money reflects an expansion in savings 
by private sector businesses and individuals.10  As a counterpart to M2 growth, domestic credit has 
also been expanding, to both the private sector a nd central government.  The composition of credit by 
economic activity shows increases in outstanding loan s for tourism, construction, and personal use, 
but decreases for manufacturing and agriculture.  Liquidity in the commercial banking system 
remained high during 2005 and 2006 (the ratio of loans and advances to total deposits was 77.6% in 
2006).  The cash reserve to deposits ratio stood at 9.8% in 2005. 
                                                      
9 ECCB (2007). 
10 ECCB (2006). Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
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18. Commercial bank interest rates declined somewhat during 2005 and 2006:  rates on savings 
deposits ranged from 3% to 4.75% and rates on tw elve-month time deposits ranged from 1% to 7%.  
Prime lending rates remained within the 10-11.5% range during most of the period under review, 
although other lending rates declined somewhat. 
19. Inflation, has been low, with the Consumer Price Index increasing in the 0.5-2.5% range, 
despite the impact of global oil price increases. 
(4) BALANCE OF PAYMENTS , TRADE AND INVESTMENT FLOWS  
20. The current account deficit increased between 2001 and 2003, reaching 12.9% of GDP.  It 
declined over 2004 and 2005, but jumped again in 2006, to some 16.3% of GDP, triggered by a 
substantial increase in imports, linked to the constr uction boom.  In general terms, the current account 
deficit responds to a structural merchandise trade de ficit of around 42.6% of GDP:  exports of goods 
were a mere 5.3% of imports in 2006.  The service s balance posts a surplus of some 27.9% of GDP, 
which is exceeded by the surplus in travel (Table I.2).  The defi cit in the current account has been 
financed partly through foreign direct investment, but mainly with external borrowing, and this has 
led to a difficult debt payment situation char acterized by substantial payment arrears. 
Table I.2 
Balance of payments, 2001-06 
(US$ million) 
 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
Current account -64.5 -82.4 -97.6 -68.0 - 58.1 -162.7 
  Goods and services -48.9 -46.6 -72.1 -30.6 -23.7 -115.6 
    Goods -280.0 -269.3 -307.6 -317.4 -307.7 389.7 
      Merchandise -296.7 -284.3 -326.1 -344.4 -343.9 -425.8 
         Exports 17.1 11.6 18.3 21.4 35.2 23.9 
         Imports 313.8 -295.9 -344.4 -365.8 -379.2 -449.6 
      Repair on goods 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 
     Goods procured in ports by carriers 16.7 14.9 18.5 26.9 36.1 36.0 
Services 231.1 222.8 235.4 286.9 284.0 274.1 
   Transportation 16.3 19.7 13.2 13.7 14.0 12.8 
   Travel 240.5 240.7 265.0 299.8 299.0 301.6 
   Insurance services -15.9 -21.9 -25.5 -17.8 -19.5 -27.8 
   Other business services -8.0 -12.9 -14.3 -7.1 -9.0 -12.1 
   Government services -1.8 -2.9 -2.9 -1.7 -0.5 -0.5 
Income -24.8 -41.4 -38.7 -45.7 -42.4 -53.4 
   Compensation of employees 13.0 3.3 5.2 6.1 6.6 6.7 
   Investment income -37.8 -44.8 -43.9 -51.9 -49.0 -60.2 
Current transfers 9.1 5.6 13.3 8.3 8.0 6.3 
   General government 0.7 -0.6 1.1 0.7 0.8 0.4 
   Other sectors 8.4 6.3 12.1 7.7 7.3 6.0 
Capital and financial account 80.5 90.1 123.7 74.3 65.3 178.0 
   Capital account 11.9 13.9 10.2 21.3 214.3 22.2 
     Capital transfers 11.9 13.9 10.2 21.3 214.3 22.2 
Financial account 68.6 76.2 113.5 53.0 -149.0 155.7 
   Direct investment 98.4 65.9 166.3 80.4 116.4 189.9 
   Portfolio investment -2.5 -2.2 2.6 12.1 10.5 9.7 
   Other investments -27.3 12.5 -55.4 -39.5 -275.9 -43.9 
      Public sector long term 10.3 -6.5 -10.7 -32.4 -163.5 6.1 
      Commercial banks -48.5 4.7 -99.5 16.0 -18.3 -64.6 
      Other assets -3.7 -10.8 -20.0 -22.9 -56.5 -17.3 
      Other liabilitiesa 14.6 25.1 74.8 -0.2 -37.7 31.8 
Overall balance 16.0 7.7 26.1 6.3 7.2 15.3 
Financing -16.0 -7.7 -26.1 -6.3 -7.2 -15.3 
    Change in government forei gn assets 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
    Change in imputed reserves -16.2 -7.9 -26.1 -6.4 -7.2 -15.3 
Table I.2 (cont'd) WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 6 
 
 
 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
Memorandum        
Current account balance (% of GDP)  -9.3 -11.5 -12.9 -8.3 -6.7 -16.3 
Nominal effective exchange rate period average  3.6 -0.6 -6.0 -4.4  -2.2 .. 
Real effective exchange rate 2.8 -1.8 -6.7 -4.9 -2.3 .. 
Estimated visitor expenditure (EC$ million) 734.6 739.2 809.5 910.8 915.5 937.4 
Net imputed international reserves (US$ million) 79.6 87.8 113.7 120.1 127.3 142.6 
Outstanding external public debt (%  of GDP) 71.9 76.5 77.4 70.5 48.9 .. 
Debt service ratio (% of exports of g oods and services) 12.5 11.7 8.5 14.0 38.0 .. 
 
.. Not available.  
a Includes errors and omissions. 
 
Source : WTO Secretariat, based on Easter n Caribbean Central Bank (2006), Annual Economic and Financial Review 2005 . 
21. The assessment of trade flows for Antigua and Barbuda is complicated by the lack of trade 
statistics.11  Notwithstanding statistical problems, it is clear that the volume of merchandise exports is 
very limited.  Some three quarters of exports app ear to be manufactured goods.  The main imports are 
machinery and transport equipment, in particul ar motor vehicles, as well as office machines and 
telecommunications equipment (Tables AI.1 and AI.2 ).  Fuel imports have increased dramatically 
since 2000 as a result of high world prices;  they represented 34.6% of total imports in 2005, compared with just 16.3% in 2000.  The main trading partners of Antigua and Barbuda are the countries of the EC, in particular the United Ki ngdom, as well as the United States, Canada, and other 
CARICOM countries, for exports and for imports.  Th e share of exports to the United States increased 
between 2000 and 2005, the same as that for exports to some other countries in the Americas, e.g. 
St. Kitts and Nevis, and the Netherlands Antilles (Tables AI.3 and AI.4). 
22. Antigua and Barbuda is a net recipient of foreig n direct investment, particularly in tourism 
and construction activities, but also in the financ ial subsector.  UNCTAD estimates FDI flows to have 
represented almost 30% of gross capital formation in  2005;  the stock of FDI in the same year was 
estimated at 144% of GDP.  Inflows of direct inve stment income are estimated at US$410 million in 
the 2003-05 period.
12 
(5) OUTLOOK  
23. No government economic forecasts were available for the current review.  In the context of 
this review, the authorities noted, however, that they expect the fiscal reforms to yield positive results.  
24. The IMF is expecting growth of some 3.9% and a CPI increase of 2% for 2007.  Growth is 
expected to slow down in the medium term, as the construction boom cools.13  Inflation is expected to 
remain low, and fiscal accounts to improve somewhat , reflecting the stability provided by the regional 
quasi-currency board arrangement.  However, the IMF considers that, even with faster growth, 
achieving fiscal and debt sustainability will require la rge, sustained improvement in the fiscal stance, 
including posting a significant primary surplus, as well as securing financing at lower interest rates to 
allow a more rapid debt decline.  Without policy ad justments, the fiscal imbalances will continue to 
deteriorate, financed by further debt accumulati on and arrears build-up, and this would depress 
                                                      
11 For example, COMTRADE export-import data ar e not available for the period 2001-04;  this 
information is available for all other OECS-WTO Members. 
12 UNCTAD (2006). 
13 IMF Public Information Notice (PIN) No. 07/7, 25 January 2007.  Viewed at:  http://www.imf.org/ 
xternal/np/sec/pn/2007/pn0707.htm. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 7 
 
 
growth.14  The external current account deficit is exp ected to increase to some  20% of GDP in 2007 
and to be fully financed by foreign direct investment. 
II. TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK 
(1) GENERAL CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK  
25. Antigua and Barbuda  is a parliamentary democracy;  it gained independence from the United 
Kingdom in 1981.  Antigua and Barbuda has a British-style parliamentary system with the British Monarch as the Head of State.  The Monarch is repr esented by the Governor General.  The Cabinet of 
Ministers exercises executive authority on behalf of  the Crown.  Headed by the Prime Minister, the 
Cabinet is responsible for the general direction and control of the Government and is directly 
accountable to Parliament.  Appointed by the Gover nor General, the Prime Minister is either the 
leader of the majority party in the House of Represe ntatives, or, where this is unclear for any reason, 
the member of Parliament who, in the sole judgmen t of the Governor General, is most likely to 
command the support of a majority of all the elected members.  Ministers are appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Prim e Minister, from among the House and Senate. 
26. Once approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, trade treaties and related agreements can be 
signed by the Prime Minister or any other Minister authorized to sign on behalf of the Government.  
Cabinet also authorizes ratification of and accessi on to international agreements.  Parliamentary 
involvement is relevant for enactme nt of enabling legislation only. 
27. The Barbuda Council is the principal organ of local government for the island of Barbuda.  
The Council administers agriculture and forestry i ssues, public health, medical and sanitary facilities, 
electricity, water, and other public utilities;  constr ucts, improves and maintains roads;  and raises and 
collects revenue to meet expenses involved in executing its functions. 
28. Law-making authority in Antigua and Barbuda is vested exclusively in the bicameral 
legislature.  The legislative branch comprises th e House of Representatives, (or Lower House) the 
Senate (Upper House), and the Governor General, who together constitute the Antigua and Barbuda 
Parliament.  Although the Constitution requires parlia mentary elections every five years, they can 
occur sooner.  The House of Representatives consists  of 17 members (16 Parliamentarians for Antigua 
and 1 for Barbuda), each elected by universal adult suffrage through a simple majority, or first-past-
the-post system.  The Senate is composed also of  17 Members, who are appointed by the Governor 
General, 15 for Antigua and 2 for Barbuda.  Of these,  11 will be appointed on  the advice of the Prime 
Minister;  4 on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, and the remainder appointed directly by the 
Governor General.  Elections in Antigua a nd Barbuda were last held in March 2004. 
29. The Constitution is the supreme law and any law that does not conform to it is void to the 
extent of the inconsistency.  At the request of a Government Ministry, bills are drafted and then 
introduced in either House, with the exception of a finance or money bill, which must always be 
introduced in the House of Representatives.  A bill  will generally have three readings;  during the 
second reading the merits of the bill are debated a nd amendments proposed.  A bill that commences in 
either House must be passed at its third reading,  with or without amendments, before moving onto the 
other House.  Most bills begin in the House of Re presentatives.  Bills become law only after receiving 
the assent of the Governor General and publication in the official Government Gazette .  This 
procedure applies to all laws, incl uding trade and trade-related laws. 
                                                     
 
14 IMF (2006). WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 8 
 
 
30. The legal system in Antigua and Barbuda is based on English common law.  Criminal and 
civil cases are heard in both the magistrate and the high courts.  There is also an industrial court, 
which deals with matters arising from labour and employ ment disputes.  In all cases, there is a right to 
appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.  Final appeal is to the Judicial Committee of the 
Privy Council, which is a superior court based in  London, presided over by senior British judges with 
occasional members drawn from the Commonwealth. 
31. In 2005, Antigua and Barbuda joined other CARICOM states in establishing the Caribbean 
Court of Justice (CCJ) with independent trade ju risdiction for dealing with interpretation of the 
revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which creat ed the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.  
Accession to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ would require abolition of appeals to the Privy 
Council, and an amendment of the Constitution.  Although Antigua and Barbuda has signed on to the 
original (trade) jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice, no formal decision had been taken with 
respect to accession to the court's appellate jurisdic tion (early 2007).  The authorities note that this 
would require a referendum. 
(2) TRADE POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION  
32. The Marrakech Agreement was not enacted as a single piece of legislation in the domestic 
laws of Antigua and Barbuda, but parts of it have been or are being enacted into domestic law.  
Private individuals can invoke WTO provisions before  domestic courts only to the extent that these 
are part of Antigua and Barbuda's national law. 
33. The principal agency responsible for trade- policy formulation and implementation is the 
International Trade Division (ITD) of the Ministry  of Foreign Affairs.  The ITD handles important 
elements of trade policy, supervising or particip ating in trade negotiations, as well as monitoring and 
facilitating implementation of various trade agreemen ts.  The Minister with responsibility for Trade 
provides broad political direction for trade policy, wh ich is refined at the technical level, in some 
cases after consultation with private sector stakeholde rs.  Consultations may occur directly or through 
other Ministries in specially arranged consu ltation sessions.  The Minister reviews proposals 
submitted by technical staff and returns them for amendment.  Finalized trade policy proposals are 
then passed on to Cabinet for approval.  Once approv ed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes charge 
of monitoring implementation.  The Ministry also  has responsibility for carrying out periodic reviews 
and assessment of trade policy.  As much as possibl e this is done in consultation with the private 
sector and other ministries. 
34. Economic and trade policy formulation and impl ementation are also influenced by a number 
of departments of the Ministry of Finance, incl uding the Customs and Excise Division, the Budget 
Office, the Economic Policy and Planning Unit, and a number of related agencies, including the 
Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority, the Bureau  of Standards, and the Department of Industry 
and Commerce.  In addition to these, the Departme nt of Industry and Commerce has responsibility for 
domestic commercial policy, and the Ministry of  Agriculture, Lands, Marine Resources and Agro-
Industries, the Ministry of Justice and the office of the Registrar of Trademarks, Copyrights and Intellectual Property, all play a part.  A working group  made up of stakeholders of the main Ministries 
also deals with trade issues. 
35. Antigua and Barbuda coordinates trade polic y with a number of regional organizations, 
including the Organization of Eastern Caribbean  States (OECS) Secretariat and the Caribbean 
Community and Common Market (CARICOM).  Efforts are made to harmonize trade policy 
approaches with other OECS members, which are al so members of the WTO, both at the technical 
and political levels.  As part of CARICOM, Antigua  and Barbuda coordinates with member states to Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 9 
 
 
develop common trade, investment, and foreign affairs policy.  This coordination is likely to increase 
as the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) becomes operational. 
36. Antigua and Barbuda regards participation in the WTO as extremely important for the 
attainment of its trade policy objectives, particular ly in light of its heavy dependence on trade in 
services like tourism and international financial and business and recreational services.  In particular, 
participation in the dispute settlement mechanism is  regarded as important in light of what Antigua 
and Barbuda believes is its rela tive limited economic influence.15 
(3) FOREIGN INVESTMENT REGIME  
37. The thrust of Antigua and Barbuda's foreign direct investment policy is to encourage 
investment by offering attractive conditions , including fiscal and other incentives. 
38. With one exception, foreign investment in Antigua and Barbuda is not subject to any 
restrictions, and foreign investors receive nati onal treatment.  The only restriction on foreign 
investment is a requirement to obtain an A lien Landholders Licence for non-national investors 
seeking to purchase property for residential and co mmercial purposes.  Licenses are granted subject to 
submitting an application to Cabinet and the payment of requisite licence fees, which amount to 5% of 
the value of the property purchased. 
39. No areas are reserved for domestic investors, and 100% foreign ownershi p is permitted.  In 
general terms, there are no restrictions on the repa triation of dividends:  consent for repatriation is 
granted automatically once any app licable taxes have been paid.16  Local borrowings by non-nationals 
are subject to a 3% stamp tax (including  nationals of other CARICOM countries). 
40. Fiscal incentives are regulated by  the Fiscal Incentives Act of 19 74 (Cap 172, Vol. 4 of the 
revised (1992) Laws of Antigua and Barbuda).  The length of tax holidays granted to investors 
depends on the calculation of value added in the local economy;  companies benefiting under the Act 
may also be exempted from exchange control regula tions (Chapter III(3)(ii)).  Normally, corporation 
tax is imposed at a rate of 30% on profits for incorporated companies.  All other businesses pay tax at 
a rate of 25%.  Dividends from resident companies are not subject to withholding tax, and capital 
gains are not subject to taxation;  however, certain overseas payments, including management fees, 
are subject to withholding tax. 
41. Antigua and Barbuda has signed double taxati on agreements with the United Kingdom and 
Germany17;  the agreement with Germany is not in force.18  There is also a double taxation treaty with 
Canada and an investment and double taxation treat y with the United States.  Antigua and Barbuda 
has not signed bilateral investment treaties with any other countries.  Antigua and Barbuda is party to 
the CARICOM Double Taxation Agreement. 
42. In 2006, Antigua and Barbuda became a memb er of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee 
Agency (MIGA), a member of the World Bank Group. 
                                                      
15 Government of Antigua and Barbuda online in formation.  Viewed at:  http://www.antigua-
barbuda.com/business_politics/wto/wto_speech_antiguachamber.asp. 
16 Ministry of Finance online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.antigua-barbuda.com/finance_ 
investment/incentives_for_investors.asp. 
17 Commonwealth Secretariat online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.thecommonwealth.org/ 
Internal/159364/148309/148340/antigua_and_barbuda/. 
18 Organization of American States online inform ation.  Viewed at:  http://www.sice.oas.org/ 
ctyindex/ATG/ATGBITs_e.asp. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 10 
 
 
(4) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS  
(i) World Trade Organization 
43. Prior to independence, Antigua and Barbuda applied GATT de facto as a member of the 
metropolitan territory of the United Kingdom.  An tigua and Barbuda became a GATT contracting 
party on 30 March 1987,  under Article XXVI:5(c) with its rights and obligations under GATT 
retroactive to the date of Independence, on 1 November 1981.19  Antigua and Barbuda is an original 
WTO Member and extends at least MFN treatment to all its trading partners. 
44. Under the GATS, Antigua and Barbuda made in itial commitments on:  tourism;  professional 
services;  computer and related services;  research and development;  recreational services;  maritime 
transport;  and financial services (Chapter IV).  Antigua and Barbuda presented an offer in the 
extended WTO negotiations on telecommunications , but did not participate in the extended 
negotiations on financial services.  Antigua and Barbuda  has not made an initial offer in the course of 
the new services negotiations pursuant to the Doha mandate.20 
45. Antigua and Barbuda has supported a request by a number of small developing Members of 
the WTO for an extension of time for providing export subsidies until 2018.21  These subsidies are 
regarded by Antigua and Barbuda as important to help it integrate more fully into the multilateral 
system, given the weaknesses associated with its status as a "small and vulnerable economy". 
46. Antigua and Barbuda has made progress in in corporating the results of the Uruguay Round 
since its last Review in 2001, and in subm itting notifications to the WTO (Table II.1). 
47. In 2005, Antigua and Barbuda used the WTO di spute settlement mechanism as a complainant 
for the first time, in a dispute with the United St ates.  The case, United States – Measures Affecting 
the Cross-Border Supply of Gambling and Betting Services – concerned various U.S. measures, 
including federal laws, that affected these services.22  The Panel Report was circulated in November 
2004 and the Appellate Body Report in April 2005.23  In May 2005, the United States informed the 
DSB of its intention to comply with the DSB' s recommendations, indicating that it would require 
some time to do so.  In May 2006, following di sagreement between the parties with respect to 
compliance with the DSB recommendations, they agreed to hold new consultations.24  In July 2006, 
Antigua and Barbuda requested the establishment of  a panel under Article 21.5 of the DSU.  The 
Panel was constitute d in August 2006.25  On 30 March 2007, the Article 21.5 Panel Report was 
circulated to Members.  The Panel concluded that  the United States had failed to comply with the 
recommendations and rulings of the DSB.26  At its meeting on 22 May 2007, the DSB adopted the 
Panel Report.27  In June 2007, Antigua and Barbuda request ed to the DSB authorization to suspend 
the application to the United States of concessions  and related obligations under the TRIPS and GATS 
in an annual amount of US$3.443 billion.28  The United States objected to the level of suspension of 
                                                      
19 GATT document 34S/25. 
20 WTO online information.  Available at:  http://www.wto.org/english/ tratop_e/serv_e/s_negs_e.htm. 
21 WTO document G/SCM/W/535, 12 April 2006. 
22 WTO document WT/DS285/R, 10 November 2004. 
23 WTO online information.  Available at:  http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/ases_e/ds285 
_e.htm. 
24 WTO document WT/DS285/16, 26 May 2006. 
25 WTO document WT/DS285/19, 16 August 2006. 
26 WTO document WT/DS285/RW, 30 March 2007. 
27 WTO document WT/DS285/21, 29 May 2007. 
28 WTO document WT/DS285/22, 22 June 2007. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 11 
 
 
concessions and made a request for arbitration.29  Antigua and Barbuda has not been a defendant or a 
third party in any other cases in the WTO. 
Table II.1 
Notifications to the WTO, 2001-07 
WTO Agreement Description Document symbol of most recent notification 
Implementation of 
Article VI of GATT 
1994 Anti-dumping (Article 18.5) No law relevant to the Agreement 
Notification of laws under the Agreement G/ADP/N/1/ATG/1, 19 September 2001 
G/ADP/N/1/ATG/2, 19 March 2002 
Import Licensing 
(Article 7.3 and Article 
1.4a and 8.2b) Replies to Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures 
Replies to Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures 
Notification of Import Licensing  Procedures G/LIC/N/3/ATG/1, 28August 2001 
G/LIC/N/3/ATG/2, 30 January 2002 
G/LIC/N/1/ATG/1, 31 January 2002 
Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures Draft Legislation and Regulations: Pesticides and Toxic 
Chemicals Control Ac t and Regulations 2004 
Draft Animals (National and International Movement and 
Disease Prevention) Act 2004 
Draft Food Safety Act 2004 
Draft Plant Protection Act 2005 G/SPS/N/ATG/1, 19 August 2005 
 
G/SPS/N/ATG/2, 23 August 2005 
  
G/SPS/N/ATG/3, 23 August 2005 
G/SPS/N/ATG/4, 26 August 2005 
Subsidies and 
Countervailing 
Measures (SCM) (Article 32.6) No laws relevant to the Agreement 
Domestic regulations:  Customs Duties (Dumping and 
Subsidies) Act 1959 G/SCM/N/1/ATG/1, 19 September 2006 
G/ADP/N/1/ATG/2, 19 March 2002 
SCM (Article 27.4) SCM Article 25 and 
GATT XVI.1 
SCM Article 25 and 
GATT XVI.1 and 27.4 
SCM Article 27.4 SCM Article 27.4 
SCM Article 27.4 Request pursuant to Article 27.4 for an extension of time to 
grant export subsidies 
Full notification of programmes New and full notification of programmes for extension 
Notification of transition period for elimination of subsidies 
Updating notification period fo r elimination of subsidies 
Update of notification of extension of transition period for 
elimination of subsidies G/SCM/N/74/ATG, 4 January 2002 
 
G/SCM/N/71/ATG, 6 March 2002 
G/SCM/N/95/ATG, 3 July 2003 
G/SCM/N/99/ATG, 3 July 2003 
G/SCM/N/114/ATG, 30 June 2004 G/SCM/N/123/ATG, 6 July 2005 
G/SCM/N/128/ATG, 6 July 2005 
G/SCM/N/146/ATG, 11 July 2006 
GATS (Article V:7a) Notification as pa rt of CARICOM of the removal of 
restrictions to the right of establishment and the provision of 
services among members S/C/N/229, 19 February 2003 
 
TRIPS (Article 63.2) Main dedicated laws relating to IP IP/N/1/ATG/D/1, IP/N/1/ATG/I/2 
IP/N/1/ATG/C/2, IP/N/1/ATG/C/1, 
13 February 2002 
IP/N/1/ATG/T/1, IP/N/1/ATG/L/1, IP/N/1/ATG/I/1, IP/N/1/ATG/G/1, 
14 February 2002 
IP/N/1/ATG/1, 5 March 2002 
IP/N/1/ATG/P/1, 18 March 2002 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
(ii) Preferential agreements and arrangements 
48. Antigua and Barbuda is a founding member of CARICOM.  Through progressive revision of 
the original Treaty of Chaguaramas, which est ablished the Community, CARICOM is seeking to 
create the basis for the establis hment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.  Under the 
revised Treaty, Antigua and Barbuda is rega rded as a "less developed country" or LDC. 
49. Antigua and Barbuda pursues many trade policy objectives through CARICOM, which 
facilitates the pooling of technical resources in trade policy development and implementation.  
Through its membership in CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda has signed trade agreements with 
                                                      
29 WTO document WT/DS285/23, 24 July 2007. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 12 
 
 
Columbia, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, and has been engaged in the trade negotiations 
between CARIFORUM (a negotiating partners hip involving CARICOM and the Dominican 
Republic) and the EC, with the aim of finalizing an  economic partnership agreement (EPA) by 2007.  
50. Antigua and Barbuda is also a founding member  of the OECS, and enjoys a high level of 
cooperation on trade policy matters with other OE CS-WTO Members, in negotiations within and 
outside the WTO. 
51. Antigua and Barbuda's exports are granted pr eferential access to the EC market, under the 
Revised Cotonou Agreement between the ACP and th e EC, and to the Canadian market, through 
CARIBCAN.  Antigua and Barbuda is also a bene ficiary under the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative 
(CBI).30  The share of exports from Antigua and Barbuda under the CBI and CARIBCAN is low. 
52. Exports of a number of Antigua  and Barbuda's products are e ligible for the Generalized 
System of Preferences (GSP) schemes of Australia, Canada, the EC, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland.  The range of products varies acco rding to each country's scheme.  Antigua and 
Barbuda's exports were removed fro m the U.S. GSP scheme in March 2004.
31 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
(1) MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING IMPORTS  
(i) Customs procedures, documentation, and registration 
53. There have been no major changes to customs procedures since Antigua and Barbuda's last 
Review in 2001.  The Customs (Control and Management) Act No. 7 of 1993 governs customs 
procedures.  All imports require a formal entry certificate or warrant, and may be cleared by the 
importer or by a customs broker.  Documents required by Customs include an invoice, a bill of lading 
or airway bill, an import licence when required,  and a certificate of origin for CARICOM goods.  
Customs decisions may be appealed to the Comptro ller of Customs.  Importers are not required to 
register, and it is not necessary to use the services of a customs broker.  Antigua and Barbuda is not  a 
member of the World Customs Organization. 
54. During Antigua and Barbuda's previous Review, the  authorities noted that one of the main 
causes of poor customs compliance was the use of a manual customs processing system, and expected 
that the implementation of ASYCUDA would help solve the problems by improving the maintenance 
of records, and improve the collection of import statistics.  The implementation of ASYCUDA has required some changes in customs procedures, espec ially with the introduc tion of the Antigua and 
Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) in 2007;  these changes rela te more to exports than to imports.  However, 
ASYCUDA has not yet been fully implemented;  onl y the import modules of the system are in use.  
As at August 2007, Antigua and Barbuda was movi ng to the implementation of Customs Automated 
Services (CASE), developed by Jamaica.
32 
55. Preshipment inspection is not used.  Inspection of  goods is based on the customs officer’s risk 
assessment, but the authorities do not maintain statistics on the percen tage of shipments inspected.  
                                                      
30 USTR online information.  Viewed at:  h ttp://www.ustr.gov/Trade_Development/Preference_ 
programs/CBI/Section_Index.html. 
31 United States Mission to the European Union online information.  Viewed at:  
http://useu.usmission.gov/Article.asp?ID=6 1B91BDA-CE9E-458B-A72B-629C1A2B1B95. 
32 Jamaica Customs online services.  Viewed a t:  http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/ 
documents/Other/UNPAN022058.pdf. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 13 
 
 
Importers known to have  engaged in violations in the past are subject to 100% inspection.  At the time 
of the last Review, goods were cleared generally within  one to three days:  this has increased with the 
introduction of the ABST. 
56. Entry documents are still submitted on paper.  The Government is in the process of acquiring 
a system that will allow for electronic filing.  The authorities indicate that the system may be on-line 
by autumn 2007, and may help to eliminate bottlenecks. 
(ii) Customs valuation 
57. Antigua and Barbuda has not modified its domestic  legislation to reflect the principles of the 
WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation (CVA), and has not notified its customs valuation regime to 
the WTO.  Antigua and Barbuda has not invoked th e special and differential treatment provisions of 
the CVA, nor responded to the WTO checklist of issues on customs valuation. 
58. The Second Schedule of the Customs Control and Management Act of 1993 governs the 
valuation process.  Under the Act, the transaction value must be used as a first valuation method:  it is 
defined as the price actually paid or payable for the goods when sold for export to Antigua and Barbuda.  In a sale between related persons, th e transaction value is accepted if the importer 
demonstrates that it closely approximates the transaction value of identical goods where the 
transaction is between non-related parties, or th e customs value of identical or similar goods.  
According to the authorities, the transaction value is used in the great majority of cases.  If the use of 
the transaction value is not possible, the Act manda tes the use of the transaction value of identical 
goods for export to Antigua and Barbuda, the tran saction value of similar goods, and the computed 
value, in that order. 
59. Under the Act customs valuation may not be  based on:  (a) the selling price of goods 
produced in Antigua and Barbuda;  (b) a system th at provides for the acceptance of the higher of two 
alternative values;  (c) the price of goods on the exporting country's market;  (d) the cost of production, other than computed values determined fo r identical or similar goods;  (e) the price of the 
goods for export to a country other than Antigua and Barbuda;  (f) minimum customs values;  or 
(g) arbitrary or fictitious values.  The customs va lue of imported goods may not include:  charges for 
construction, assembly, maintenance or technical assi stance, undertaken after importation or the cost 
of transport after importation. 
60. The Second Schedule of the Customs Control and Management Act stipulates that "the 
customs value may be determined using reasonable means consistent with the principles and general 
provisions of the Schedule".  Reference prices may be  used if there is doubt regarding value, or for 
further investigation by the Tax Compliance Unit of th e Ministry of Finance.  These prices are used to 
identify possible under-invoicing, and can be applied in the determination of the customs value, if 
none of the methods specified in the Second Sche dule can be used.  Reference prices based on 
international lists for customs valuation are genera lly used;  for example, North American Dealers 
Association (NADA) reference prices are utilized for imports of used vehicles. 
61. In Antigua and Barbuda's previous Review the authorities noted that customs compliance and 
valuation were a major problem.  Officials indicate that the problem is still widespread, and that the matter has not yet been the focus of corrective measures;  however, they could not indicate a rough value of its incidence.  The Tax Compliance Unit ve rifies declared values by contacting suppliers;  a 
"trigger price" system is used to initiate investigatio ns.  The Unit is assisted in its investigations by 
private consultants. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 14 
 
 
(iii) Rules of origin 
62. Antigua and Barbuda adopted, in 1999, the rules of origin introduced by CARICOM in 1998.  
Duty-free treatment is accorded only if goods satisfyi ng the origin rules are shipped directly between 
member States.  Under the CARICOM Treaty’s de rogation facility to the application of Common 
Market Rules of Origin, a derogation granted to  Antigua and Barbuda for coffee beans in 2004 
remains in effect.  Antigua and Barbuda, like othe r CARICOM members, was expected to implement 
the rules of origin contained in the Amended Sche dule I of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, based 
on the 2007 HS from 1 January 2007.  This did not happen and the matter remains in Parliament. 
(iv) Tariffs, and other charges on imports 
63. Prior to the tax reforms introduced in 2007 (section (v) below), revenue accruing from taxes 
on international trade and transactions were the main source of fiscal revenue in Antigua and 
Barbuda.  In 2006, they accounted for some EC $324.42 million, or 53.5% of total government 
revenue.  Income from customs duties and the customs service tax represented EC$82.3 million 
(13.5% of total revenue), a nd the consumption tax levied on imports for an additional 
EC$123.2 million (20.3%).  Other charges on internati onal transactions included the customs service 
tax and the now-defunct foreign ex change tax (which generated onl y 0.3% of revenue until 2005).  
That customs service tax raised EC$79.5 million in 2006, accounting for 13.1% of government 
revenue that year.  The average collected tari ff was 6.8% of the value of imports in 2006. 
(a) MFN applied tariff structure 
64. Antigua and Barbuda has applied the CARI COM Common External Tariff (CET) since 
1 January 1994.  CET changes occur at CARI COM level, but ultimate authority for tariff 
determination rests with Parliament following a Cabi net initiative.  Exceptions to the CET are agreed 
between CARICOM members and must be applie d by the Community Council.  All rates are 
ad valorem .  There are no seasonal tariffs;  tariff quotas are not used. 
65. Antigua and Barbuda applied, as of 2006, Ph ase IV of the CET reduction agenda, with 
exceptions.  The Antigua and Barbuda Custom s Tariff schedule is based on the Harmonized 
Commodity Description and Coding System (2002) and comprises 6,413 tariff lines (Table III.1).  
Duty-free treatment is accorded to 10.2% of tariff lines;  this percentage is cons iderably lower than for 
other OECS countries.  Some 70% of all tariff lines  are subject to rates between 0 and 10%, 52% of 
all tariff lines subject to a rate of 5%.  Some 28% of tariff lines are subject to international peaks, 
while 4.4% of lines are subject to domestic peaks (Table III.1). 
66. A customs service tax (CST) of up to 10% is  applied on all imports, including those from 
other CARICOM countries.  A lower rate of 5% is  set for the products listed in Table III.2.  The 
service charge is regulated by the Customs Se rvice Tax Act of 1986;  Revenue (Miscellaneous 
Provisions) Act No. 3 of 2005 includes a revised sche dule of 50 items in the Customs Service Tax Act 
(e.g. corned beef, salt fish, and petroleum).  Th e Customs Service Tax (Amendment) Act, 2006, a Bill 
before Parliament in mid-2007, would make changes to the tax.33 
                                                      
33 Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Laws onlin e.  Viewed at:  http ://www.laws.gov.ag/bills/. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 15 
 
 
Table III.1 
Structure of the tariff, 2006 
(Per cent) 
1. Total number of tariff lines 6,413 
2. Non- ad valorem  tariffs (% of all lines) 0.0 
3. Non- ad valorem  tariffs with no AVEs (% of all lines) 0.0 
4. Tariff quotas (% of all lines) 0.0 
5. Duty-free lines (% of all lines) 10.2 
6. Dutiable tariff lines average rate (%) 11.9 
7. Domestic tariff "peaks" (% of all lines)a 4.4 
8. International tariff "peaks" (% of all lines)b 28.0 
9. Bound tariff lines (% of all lines) 97.6 
 
a Domestic tariff peaks are defined as those exceed ing three times the overall average applied rate. 
b International tariff peaks are defined as those exceeding 15%. 
 
Note: The tariff is unchanged since 2001, wh en Phase IV of CET was implemented. 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data prov ided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda. 
Table III.2 
Items subject to a 5% customs service taxa 
Corned beef (HS item 1602.501); salted fish (HS item 0305.62);  ling fish (HS item 0305.692);  baby whites (HS item 3304.999);  
infant formula (HS item 2106.907);  mackerel (HS item 0305.591);  sardines (HS item 1604.131);  soap powder (HS item 3402.902);   
chicken (HS item 0207.10-0207.149);  macaroni (HS item 1902.19) ;  eggs (HS item 0407.003);  cheese (HS item 0406.10-0406.9);  
peas and beans (HS item 0713.10-0713.90, 0708.10-0708.90);  cocoa preparations (HS item 1806.10);  tea (HS item 0902.10);  red 
herring (HS item 0305.592);  tuna (HS item 1604.141);  juices (HS item 2009-2009.909);  oats (HS item 1104.22);  cereals (HS it em 
1104.22, 1104.30, 1904.20);  sweet biscuits (HS item 1905.301);  unsweetened biscuits (HS item  1905.901);  luncheon meat (HS it em 
1602.909);  black pepper (HS item 0904.12);  insecticides (H S item 3808.109);  mosquito coil (HS item 3808.102);  malt (HS item  
2202.902);  soda (HS item 2202.101);  toilet paper (HS item 4818. 10);  cornmeal (HS item 1005.90);  rice (HS item 1006.101-
1006.409);  white flour (HS item 1101.001);  other flour (HS item  1101.009);  cane sugar (HS item 1701.11);  beet sugar (HS ite m 
1701.12);  salt (HS item 2501.001);  milk (HS item 0401.10-0401.30, 0402.10-0402.999);  butter  (HS item 0405.101);  butter  (H S 
item 0405.102);  margarine (HS item 1517.10);  refined edible oi l (HS item 1507.10-1515.29);  maize meal (HS item 1103.13);  so ap 
(HS item 3401.111-3301.191);  bed pads (HS item 9404.901);  diapers for babies (HS item 4818.402);  napkins (HS item 4818.403);   
toothpaste (HS item 3306.101);  medicine (HS item 3004.101-300 4.909);  pharmaceuticals (HS item 3006.10-3006.60);  petroleum 
products (HS item 2710.111;2710.129, 2710.141-2710.149, 2710.211-2710.219, 2710.421-2710.429, 2710.221-2710.229).  
 
a Most other items are taxed at 10%. 
 
Source:  Information supplied by the authorities. 
67. The simple average MFN tariff in 2006 (the tariff remains unchanged since Phase IV of the 
CET was introduced in 2001) was 10.7%, or 20.7% in cluding the customs service tax.  The average 
MFN tariff for agricultural products (WTO definiti on) was 16.2% (26.2% with the 10% CST), and 
9.7% (19.7%) for non-agricultural products (Table II I.3).  Rates range between zero and 70%.  A wide 
range of agricultural products is subject to a 40% tari ff.  Fruit and vegetables;  fish and fish products;  
animals and products thereof;  tobacco;  beverages and spirits;  coffee, tea, sugar and cocoa;  and oils 
and fats are subject to the highest average rates by WTO category.  The highest tariff rate (70%) is applied only on non-agricultural products, mainly to arms and ammunition.  Motor vehicles may be 
subject to tariffs as high as 35%.
34  The lowest tariffs, by WTO category, are applied on other 
agricultural products, dairy products, cut flowers and plants, metals and minerals, non-electrical 
machinery, chemicals, and petroleum. 
                                                      
34 Exceptions to the CET are included in Lists A, C, and D, annexed to the CET.  Rates vary by country 
and products.  For products included in List A, main ly agricultural products, packaging material, ceramics, 
washing machines and dryers, and sanitary fixtures, which may be subject to a maximum customs duty of 40%, 
Antigua and Barbuda applies rates generally below the CET.  List C contains products that are highly revenue 
sensitive, mainly alcoholic beverages, tobacco, oil products, jewellery, electri cal appliances, and motor vehicles;  
these products face rates above the CET rates, up to 70%. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 16 
 
 
Table III.3 
Summary analysis of the MFN tariff, 2006 
MFN 
   Coefficient of Final bound 
No. of Average Range variation average Description 
lines (%) (%) (CV) (%) 
Total 6,413 10.7 0 - 70 0.9 61.1 
HS 01-24 1,088 17.7 0 - 45 0.8 106.3 
HS 25-97 5,325 9.3 0 - 70 0.9 53.2 
By WTO category      
WTO Agriculture 1,023 16.2 0 - 45 0.9 105.7 
   Animals and products thereof 147 19.1 0 - 40 0.8 104.3 
   Dairy products 24 6.3 0 - 20 1.0 100.0 
   Coffee and tea, cocoa, sugar, etc. 173 16.6 0 - 40 0.8 100.0 
   Cut flowers, plants 56 7.9 0 - 40 1.9 100.0 
   Fruit and vegetables 255 23.8 0 - 40 0.6 116.3 
   Grains 29 15.0 0 - 40 0.9 100.0 
   Oil seeds, fats and oils and their products 95 15.8 0 - 40 1.1 101.8 
   Beverages and spirits 78 19.0 5 - 45 0.5 111.3 
   Tobacco 10 21.0 5 - 35 0.6 102.1 
   Other agricultural products n.e.s. 156 3.9 0 - 40 1.8 100.0 
WTO Non-agriculture (incl. petroleum) 5,390 9.7 0 - 70 0.9 52.4 
   WTO Non-agriculture (excl. petroleum) 5,366 9.7 0 - 70 0.9 52.1 
     Fish and fishery products 155 19.5 0 - 40 0.7 100.0 
     Mineral products, precious stones and precious metals 417 8.9 0 - 30 1.0 53.8 
     Metals 718 6.7 0 - 20 0.8 50.5 
     Chemicals and photographic supplies 994 7.3 0 - 20 0.7 50.7 
     Leather, rubber, footwear and travel goods 168 10.2 0 - 25 0.8 51.1 
     Wood, pulp, paper and furniture 316 9.3 0 - 20 0.8 52.8 
     Textile and clot hing 950 11.6 0 - 30 0.6 50.2 
     Transport equipment 263 12.5 0 - 35 1.0 64.7 
     Non-electric machinery 595 6.9 0 - 30 0.9 50.9 
     Electrical machinery 269 10.3 0 - 35 0.8 54.1 
     Non-agriculture articles n.e.s. 521 13.8 0 - 70 0.8 53.1 
   Petroleum 24 7.5 0 - 25 1.0 104.3 
By ISIC sectora      
Agriculture and fisheries 428 18.9 0 - 40 1.0 104.4 
Mining 116 3.9 0 - 30 2.1 52.5 
Manufacturing 5,868 10.2 0 - 70 0.9 58.5 
By HS section      
  01  Live animals & products 309 18.4 0 - 40 0.9 100.0 
  02  Vegetable products 402 17.8 0 - 40 1.0 110.3 
  03  Fats & oils 53 24.2 5 - 40 0.7 103.4 
  04  Prepared food, etc. 324 15.9 0 - 45 0.6 105.0 
  05  Minerals 187 4.0 0 - 25 1.4 57.8 
  06  Chemical & products 930 6.8 0 - 20 0.8 53.2 
  07  Plastics & rubber 236 8.7 0 - 25 0.7 52.2 
  08  Hides & skins 84 9.2 0 - 20 0.9 62.5 
  09  Wood & articles 121 9.8 0 - 20 0.6 50.3 
  10  Pulp, paper etc. 171 7.6 0 - 20 1.0 55.2 
  11  Textile & articles 935 11.2 0 - 20 0.7 51.5 
  12  Footwear, headgear 66 16.2 0 - 20 0.4 50.0 
  13  Articles of stone 202 10.2 0 - 25 0.7 50.0 
  14  Precious stones, etc. 61 17.9 0 - 30 0.7 71.0 
  15  Base metals & products 712 7.3 0 - 20 0.8 50.6 
  16  Machinery 895 8.3 0 - 35 0.9 51.8 
  17  Transport equipment 276 12.2 0 - 35 1.0 64.0 
  18  Precision equipment 248 10.7 0 - 25 0.7 54.2 
  19  Arms and ammunition 20 41.8 0 - 70 0.7 50.0 
  20  Miscellaneous manufactures 173 15.2 0 - 20 0.4 51.6 
  21  Works of art, etc. 8 20.0 20 - 20 0.0 50.0 
Table III.3 (cont'd) Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 17 
 
 
MFN 
   Coefficient of Final bound 
No. of Average Range variation average Description 
lines (%) (%) (CV) (%) 
By stage of processing      
First stage of processing 834 14.0 0 - 40 1.2 87.3 
Semi-processed products 1,827 5.8 0 - 40 0.6 52.6 
Fully-processed products 3,752 12.4 0 - 70 0.8 60.1 
 
a ISIC (Rev.2) classification, excluding electricity (1 line). 
 
Note: The tariff remains unchanged since Phase IV  of the CARICOM CET wa s introduced in 2001. 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimat es, based on data provided by the au thorities of Antigua and Barbuda. 
68. Antigua and Barbuda, like other CARICOM stat es, maintains a List of Conditional Duty 
Exemptions to the CET, applying tariffs at below CE T rates.  These exceptions are generally made for 
purposes of sectoral development, economic and social  development, health and safety, public sector 
procurement, and culture and spor ts.  Products that may not benef it from these tariff concessions are 
contained in the List of Items Ineligible for Du ty Exemption.  This includes goods produced in the 
CARICOM in quantities considered ade quate to justify tariff protection. 
(b) Bound MFN tariffs 
69. In the Uruguay Round, Antigua and Barbuda bound all tariff lines except fish products 
(Chapter 3 of the HS and a few lines in other chapters);  as a result, 97.6% are bound. 
70. Tariffs on non-agricultural products were bound at 50%, with a number of exceptions, 
including motor vehicles.  Agricultural products we re generally bound at a ceiling of 100%, with an 
implementation period of six years;  exceptions th at were bound at higher rates include beer, spirits, 
margarine, and bananas.  The average bound tariff is 61.1%, almost six times the applied rate;  the 
bound rate for agricultural products (WTO definition)  is 105.7%, while that for non-agricultural goods 
is 52.4%.  Applied tariffs exceed bound rates for te n tariff headings, all corresponding to arms and 
ammunition, for which the applied rate  is 70%, while the bound rate is 50%. 
71. Antigua and Barbuda left blank the column "oth er duties and charges" in its schedule, which 
in practice is equivalent to having entered "zero".35  Antigua and Barbuda applies a 5% customs 
service tax. 
(c) Tariff and tax concessions 
72. Import duty exemptions and concessions are av ailable for beneficiary industries under the 
incentives schemes, and on a case-by-case basis.  An app lication for a waiver of import tariffs must be 
made to Cabinet, which issues an order in this respect. 
73. Under the Customs Service Tax Act of 1986,  goods imported specifically for manufacture 
and re-export or assembly and re-export by an en terprise that has been declared an "approved 
enterprise" under the Fiscal Incentives Act, are exempt  from tax.  The same applies to all plant and 
equipment of a value in excess of EC$100,000 imported by and for the establishment of the "approved enterprise".  The authorities indicate that, in  practice, this CST exemption is applied to a 
wider range of imports, including some that are used  to make goods destined for the internal market. 
                                                     
 
35 WTO document WT/DS302/R, 26 November 2004. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
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74. Imports for government agencies are free of ta riffs and the CST.  In some cases these 
exemptions are provided for explicitly by the Act es tablishing the institution (e.g. the Port Authority), 
while other governmental agencies are granted the exemption by tradition. 
(d) Tariff preferences 
75. Antigua and Barbuda grants duty-free access to imports from other OECS and CARICOM 
countries (with specified exceptions), provided they meet the CARICOM rules of origin criteria.  
Imports from these countries are, however, subject  to the customs service tax of up to 10% 
(see below). 
(v) Other levies and charges 
76. A number of taxes are applied on imports as well as domestic products.  The Environmental 
Protection Levy Act of 2002 provides for a levy  on imported and domestically produced goods.  
Revenue from this tax is used to finance the cost of protecting, preserving and enhancing the 
environment.  Fees range from EC$0.25 per contai ner on glass and plastic containers, to EC$1,000-
6,000 on motor vehicles.  Other items subject to this levy include new and used tyres, electric accumulators, white goods, air conditioners, vacuum clean ers, hair dryers, and toasters.  An excise tax 
on alcohol, tobacco, certain cars, and some luxury goods , was to be imposed at the same time as the 
ABST (see below), but its application has been delayed.   It has not yet been decided whether or when 
this excise tax will come into effect. 
77. The tax regime is undergoing a major renovati on under Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax Act, 
No. 5 of 2006, which entered into effect on 29 January 2007.
36  The law replaced several taxes 
directly or indirectly related to trade (including  the consumption tax) with  the Antigua and Barbuda 
Sales Tax (ABST), imposed on both domestic a nd imported goods and services, Part V of the law 
establishes the basic rules for imports.  The la w also provides exemptions for exported goods 
(schedule 1) and certain service sectors, especially financial services (schedule 2).  Certain classes of imports are also exempt (schedule 5), including  state imports and returned or transshipped goods.  The 
2007 general rate of ABST is set at 15%, while the ra te for the hotel sector is 10.5%.  The 10.5% rate 
is transitional, and will be reviewed after two years.   In general, the rates are not subject to periodic 
revisions, but may be reviewed by the legislature if considered necessary. 
78. The consumption tax, applied un til January 2007, had its legal basis in Consumption Tax Act 
No. 28 of 1993.  The rates used were 0%, 15%, 20% , 30%, and 50%.  Petroleum products listed in the 
Third Schedule of the Act were subject to an adjusting specific tax ra te, which depended on the 
difference between the international and the domestic (fixed) price.  Most primary agricultural goods 
were zero-rated, but processed agricultural products were generally taxed at 15%.  The consumption 
tax was levied on the sales price of domestically prod uced goods, and on the c.i.f. value plus the tariff 
(but not the customs service tax), of imported products. 
79. According to the 2007 Budget Speech, indirect ta xes will provide about 81% of tax revenue 
under the new regime.  The taxes on international trade and transactions are projected to yield 
EC$270.2 million in revenue, or 55.7% of the value of the indirect taxes;  and an anticipated 
EC$153.8 million (31%) of the revenue will be generated by the ABST. 
                                                     
 
36 Official Gazette  Vol. XXVI No. 52, 14 September 2006. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 19 
 
 
(vi) Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing 
80. Imports of the following goods are prohibited under Section 84 (2) of the Customs (Control 
and Management) Act of 1993:  firearms having a di sguised appearance;  utensils for the smoking or 
preparation for smoking of any drug the use of which is prohibited;  and imports prohibited by any 
other law of the State.  Imports of plants from countries where certain diseases are present are also 
prohibited (section (ix)).  Under the Uniforms Act of 1997, imports of camouflage uniforms are 
banned.  Under Statutory Instrument No. 42 of 19 99, imports of refrigerators, motor vehicles, air 
conditioning units, and other goods are banned if they contain ozone-depl eting substances.  Imports of 
vehicles using freon in their air-conditioning system are prohibited. 
81. Imports of certain products are restricted, main ly for health and safety reasons, and require a 
permit or sanitary/phytosanitary certificate.  The import of any herb or plant or any part of any herb or plant for use as medicine or drug by man or animals, or which may be used as medicine or drug by man or animals, must be authorized by the Chief Medical Officer or the Chief Veterinary Officer.  
Import restrictions also apply to:  pharmaceutical  products;  substances used to manufacture drugs;  
firearms;  and ammunition.  Imports of firearms , fireworks, and arms and ammunition require a 
licence from the Commissioner of Police prior to  importation, in accordance with Act No. 18 
(Cap 310) of 1975.  Imports of any mechanical game, de vice, or appliance, that can be used to play at 
any game of chance for money is restricted unde r the Customs (Control and Management) Act of 
1993;  the same Act restricts the import of tear gas and any ingredient that may produce it;  or any 
article that bears a design in imitation of any curre ncy or bank note or coin in current use in Antigua 
and Barbuda or elsewhere, except expressly authoriz ed by the Comptroller of Customs and Excise.  
Imports of certain restricted pesticides require  approval from the Pesticides Control Board.  The 
authorities indicate that a new Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act is being drafted.  It is intended to provide procedures governing the impor tation of fertilizers, pesticides, and toxic 
chemicals, and will replace and repeal some  existing provisions of law in this area. 
82. Antigua and Barbuda notified its import-licensing system
37, and replied to the questionnaire 
on import licensing procedures in 2002.38  The system is regulated by the Import License Procedure 
Bulletin, the External Trade (Import Restriction) Act of 2001, Cap 163, Volume IV of the Revised 
Laws of Antigua and Barbuda (1992) (Attachment  I);  Law Revision (Miscellaneous) (Amendments) 
(No. 2) Act 2000;  the External Trade (Import Pr ohibition) Order;  and Statutory Instruments 1999 
No. 42 and Statutory Instruments 2001 No. 23 of the Laws of Antigua and Barbuda. 
83. The External Trade (Import Prohibition) Order 2001 prohibits the import of certain goods 
without a licence.  The requirement does not a pply to some of these goods when imported from 
CARICOM or OECS member countries (Second Schedul e), while others may be imported without a 
licence only from other OECS countries (Third Schedule) (Table III.4).  Most imports are subject to automatic licensing;  the authorities indicate that th is is for data-collecti on reasons.  Non-automatic 
licensing is applied on:  products previously subject to quantitative restrictions under Article 56 of the 
Treaty of Chaguaramas, and currently subject to tariffication under Article 164 of the revised Treaty 
(aerated beverages, beer, stout, ale, porter, pasta,  candles, solar water heaters, oxygen in cylinder, 
carbon dioxide in cylinder, acetylene in cylinder, chairs and other seats of wood and upholstered 
fabric, other furniture of wood and upholstered fabr ic, mops);  imports of animals, poultry, livestock 
and poultry products, plants and plant products, pestic ides, drugs and antibiotics,  firearms, fireworks, 
arms and ammunition;  and chemicals controlled by the Montreal Protocol).  For all other products, 
licences are granted on request.  The import-licensing regime is administered by the Ministry of 
Finance and the Economy.  Imports of pesticides require a licence from the Pesticides Control Board 
                                                     
 
37 WTO document G/LIC/N/1/ATG/1, 31 January 2002. 
38 WTO document G/LIC/N/3/ATG/2, 30 January 2002. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 20 
 
 
prior to importation and in accordance with Act No. 15 of 1973 and S.I. No. 46 of 1981.  Imports of 
drugs and antibiotics require a licence from the Mi nister of Health under the Dangerous Drugs Order 
(Caps 225 and 222 of the Laws of Antigua and Barbuda ), S.I. No. 46 of 1981, and S.I. No. 18 of 
1989. 
84. The External Trade (Import Prohibition) Order 2001 prohibits the import without a licence of 
goods from or originating in the following countr ies:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, 
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, 
Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democr atic Republic, Lebanon, Nepal,  North Korea, Republic of 
Macedonia, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia , Seychelles, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tonga, 
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, and Yemen.  Th e licences are administered by the Ministry of 
Finance and the Economy. 
85. There is no licensing fee or administrative ch arge, and no deposit or  advance payment is 
required for the issuance of a licences.  In practi ce, licences are often requested and issued upon the 
arrival of the goods.  A licence is valid, in most case s, for one month from the date of issue, and the 
validity can be extended upon request.  Licences are not  transferable between importers;  there is no 
penalty for the non-use of a licence.  Licences are re quired on a seasonal basis for imports of certain 
agricultural products (e.g., onions and cabbages when the local market is glutted), and are granted by 
the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Table III.4 
Import licensing requirements 
Second Schedule:  Goods that require an import licence when  imported from any country that is not a member of the 
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)  or the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) 
Baby chicks, point of lay pullets (Ex HS 0105);  meat and edible  meat offal (Chapter 2);  fish -fresh, frozen or chilled (HS 030 1-0304);  
crustaceans and mollusc whether in shell or not, fresh (live or  dead), chilled, frozen or sa lted etc. (HS 0306 and 0307);  eggs  in shell (HS 
04.07);  natural honey (HS 04.09.00 );  vegetables (whether or not cooked pres erved by freezing)  (07.01-07.09);  dried leguminou s 
vegetables shelled, whether or  not skinned or split (HS 07.13);  arrowroot, sweet  potatoes and other similar roots and tubers w ith high 
starch, fresh or dried, whole or sliced (HS 07.14);  coconuts, cashew nuts fresh or dried whether or not shelled or peeled (Ex HS 08.01);  
bananas fresh or dried (Ex HS 08.03);  thym e, saffron, bay leaves, ginger, curry and other spices (HS 09.10);  curry powder (HS  
0910.50);  rice (HS 1006);  wheat flour (Ex HS 1101.);  arrowroot starch (HS 1108.101);  ground nuts (HS 12.02);  coconut (copr a) oil, 
crude or refined (Ex HS 1513.10);  margarine,  imitation lard and lard substitutes, shor tening edible mixtures or preparations o f animal or 
vegetable fats or oils (HS 15.17);  sausages and the like of m eat offal or animal blood (HS 16.01);  other prepared or preserve d meat or 
offal (HS 16.02);  jams, fruit jellies, marmal ades (Ex HS 20.07);  mango chutney (Ex HS  2008. 004);  fruit and vegetable juices  
including coconut milk, and coconut cream (HS20.09);  pepper sauce (HS 2103.901);  powdered dri nks, lime juice cordial (HS 
2106.003);  bottled drinking water (HS 22.01);  aerated beverages, malt and other non-alcoholic carbonated drinks and orange sq uash 
(HS 22.02);  beer (HS 2203.001);  stout (HS 2203.002);  ale (HS 2203.009);  porter (Ex HS 2203.009);  rum (HS 2208.40);  pet fe ed  (HS 
23.10);  poultry and cattle feed (HS 23.904);  pig feed (HS 23. 905);  other animal feed (HS 23.906);  cigarettes (HS 2402.20);  Portland 
cement (HS 25.23);  oxygen in cylinder oxyge n (Ex HS 28.04);  carbon dioxide in cyli nder (Ex HS 28.11);  acetylene (Ex HS 29.01 );  
pharmaceuticals (Chapter 30);  fertilizers (Chapter 31);  paints, varnishes, and lacquers (HS 32. 08 and 32.09);  soaps (HS 34.0 1);  
household bleach (HS 3402.204);  candles (Ex HS  3406);  explosives, pyrotechnic product s, matches, pyrophoric  alloys and certai n 
combustible preparations (Chapter 36);  plastic bags, shower cu rtains (Ex HS 3924);  pneumatic tyres, blistered (HS 40.11);  us ed 
pneumatic tyres (HS 4012.20);  tyres used for retreading and re moulding (HS 4012.201);  wooden mouldings (Ex HS 44.09);  broom and 
mop handles (Ex HS 4417),  wooden doors (HS 4418.20);  fibre mats of  vegetable plaiting material (Ex HS 4601);  mats, other str aw 
paper bins of vegetable plaiting material s (Ex HS 4601.20);  kitchen towels, napkins, and facial tissues (Ex HS 4818.20);  card board 
boxes (Ex HS 4819.20);  all publications devoted primarily to a dvertising including tourist propaganda (Ex HS 4911);  T-shirts (Ex HS 
6109);  girls’ and ladies’ panties, half slips and nighties (E x HS 6108 and Ex HS 6208);  trousers (Ex HS 6204.60);  men’s and boys’ 
shirts and shirt jackets (HS 6105 and 6205);  brassieres (HS 6212.10);  pillow cases, sh eets, table cloths, table napkins, hand  towels, bath 
towels, beach towels, bed spreads,  drapes, kitchen towels (Ex Chapter 63);  concre te blocks (Ex HS 6810.11);  galvanized sheets  (Ex 
HS7208-7212);  aluminium windows a nd doors (Ex HS 7610.10);  solar water heaters (H S 8419.10);  vehicles and parts and accessor ies 
thereof  (Chapter 87);  arms and ammuniti on, parts and accessories thereof (Chapter 9) ;  chairs and other seats of wood and uph olstered 
fabric (HS 9401.60);  other furniture of wood and upholstered fabric (HS 9403.60);  mops (HS 9603). 
Third Schedule:  Goods that require an import licence when imported from any country that is not a member of the 
Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)  
Curry powder (Ex HS 0910);  wheat flour (Ex HS 1101.00);  uncooked pa sta, not stuffed (Ex HS 19.02) ;  aerated beverages (Ex HS 
22.02);  beer (HS 2203.001);  stout (HS 2203.002);  ale (HS 2203. 009);  porter (Ex HS 2203.009);  candles (Ex HS 34.06);  oxyge n in 
cylinder (Ex HS 2804.40);  carbon dioxide in cylinder (Ex HS 28.11) ;  acetylene in cylinder (Ex HS 2901002);  candles (Ex HS 34 06);  
solar water heaters (Ex HS 84.19);  chairs  and other seats of wood a nd upholstered fabric (Ex HS 9401.60);  and other furniture  of wood 
and upholstered fabric (Ex HS 9403.60);  mops (HS 9603). 
 
Source : External Trade (Import Prohibition) Order 2001. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 21 
 
 
(vii) Contingency measures 
(a) Anti-dumping and countervailing measures 
86. The legislation is contained in the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, of 1959, 
which was notified to the WTO in 2002.39  Questions were posed regarding this legislation, mainly on 
issues concerning the lack of provisions on various essential elements of an anti-dumping 
investigation.40  Antigua and Barbuda has yet to provide answers.  Antigua and Barbuda did not use 
import contingency measures in the 2001-06 peri od, nor has it initiated any investigation. 
87. Antigua and Barbuda's legislation was not amended after the WTO Agreements on Anti-
dumping, Subsidies and Countervailing Measures were signed in 1994.  However, the authorities note 
that legislation on these issues, to be based on th e CARICOM model laws, is  under consideration in 
the Ministry of Legal Affairs. 
(b) Safeguards 
88. Under CARICOM rules, when necessary, Anti gua and Barbuda, as a less developed country, 
may invoke the special provisions in Chapter 7 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, in particular 
Articles 150 and 164.  Article 150 (Safeguard Measu res) of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas 
entitles a disadvantaged country to limit imports of  goods from other Member States for up to three 
years, and to take such other measures as COTE D may authorize.  Article 164 (Promotion of 
Industrial Development) of the revised Treaty a llows less developed CARICOM countries to petition 
COTED to suspend Community-origin treatment to certain products as a temporary measure in order 
to promote the development of an industry,  and apply tariff rates higher than the CET.41  Antigua and 
Barbuda has not limited imports nor applie d suspensions under articles 150 or 164. 
89. Antigua and Barbuda is also entitled to appl y safeguards for balance-of-payments reasons 
under Article 84 of the revised Treaty of Chaguara mas, though it has never done so.  Enactment, the 
Caribbean Community (Movement of Factors) Act,  2006, would provide for the use of safeguards 
where the Minister is satisfied that there are serious balance-of-payments and external financial 
difficulties or the threat thereof.  The Bill is  currently under consideration by Parliament. 
90. Antigua and Barbuda did not avail itself of the special safeguard provisions of the WTO 
Agreement on Agriculture, nor of the right to us e the transitional safeguard mechanism in the 
Agreement on Textiles and Clothing. 
(viii) Technical regulations and standards 
91. No notifications were made to the TBT Committee during 2001-06. 
92. The Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards (A BBS) is the national standards body;  it is 
the enquiry point and national notifica tion authority under the TBT Agreement.42  The ABBS was 
                                                      
39 WTO document G/ADP/N/1/ATG/2, G/SCM/N/1/ATG/2, 19 March 2002. 
40 WTO document G/ADP/Q1/ATG/1, G/SCM/Q1/ATG/1, 10 April 2002. 
41 The products specified by Antigua and Barbuda are:  aerated beverages (2202.101), waters, other 
waters (201.10), beer (22.03), malt (2202.90.20), candles/paraffin wax (34.06), curry powder (0910.50), pasta (19.02), animal feed (23.09), wooden furniture (9401.60/9403.60), solar water heaters (8419.19), and industrial 
gases/ oxygen, carbon dioxide, acet ylene (2804.40, 281 1.21, 2901.292). 
42 WTO online information.  Available at:  http ://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_enquiry_ 
points_e.htm. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
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established under the Standards Act (1987) Cap 411;   under the Ministry and Finance and the 
Economy, it has sole responsibility for the preparati on and promulgation of t echnical regulations and 
standards, and for dealing with st andards-related matters, such as metrology and quality.  Antigua and 
Barbuda accepted the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of 
Standards in 2005.43 
93. The ABBS holds membership in:  CARICO M Regional Organisation for Standards and 
Quality (CROSQ), Codex Alimentarius (WHO/F AO), and the Inter-American Metrology System 
(SIM), subscriber membership in the Internationa l Organization for Standardization (ISO), and is an 
affiliate member of the Internati onal Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). 
94. The Standards Act of 1987, and the Standards Re gulations of 1998, are the main laws on 
standards.  Standards are formulated generally  by consensus between the ABBS and concerned 
parties.  The mandate to prepare a technical re gulation or standard generally comes from the 
Standards Council, which is composed of represen tatives from several agencies, based on a request 
from the general public or business enterprise, or as a result of developments that could have a 
negative impact on the health, safety, environment,  or trade.  A Technical Committee is formed 
consisting of persons from organizations that will be  affected, a representative of consumers, and a 
technical secretary.  The Technical Committee submit s the draft standard to the Standards Council for 
approval.  Once the Standards Council has ratifie d the document, the ABBS publishes a notice in 
newspapers and in the Gazette  of its intention to declare the standard a national standard, giving the 
general public the opportunity to comment on the technical  content.  If the standa rd is intended to be a 
compulsory standard/technical regulation, it is also  submitted to the Ministry of Legal Affairs and 
Justice, and thereafter the Minister with res ponsibility for the ABBS, for declaration in the Gazette .  
This process is in keeping with the WTO TBT Code of Good Practice for Standardization. 
95. The authorities indicate that technical regulati ons and standards are generally drafted in 
accordance with CARICOM standards or international st andards if they exist.  Standards declared by 
other regional standards bodies, ISO, other inte rnational standards bodies, and CODEX have also 
been used in drafting ABBS standards/technical regulations. 
96. Standards may be voluntary or compulsory (t echnical regulations), although they generally 
start as voluntary and become technical regulations upon analysis.  Under Section 18(1) (Voluntary and Compulsory Standards) of the Standards Act of 1987, standards may, on the recommendation of 
the ABBS, be declared by Order of the Minister to  be a compulsory standard if they are intended 
primarily:  to protect the consumer or user agains t danger to health and safety;  to prevent fraud or 
deception arising from misleading advertising or labe lling;  to ensure quality in goods produced for 
export;  to require adequate informa tion to be given to the consumer or user; or to ensure quality in a 
case where the choice of sources of supply is r estricted.  A notice must be published in the Gazette  in 
this respect, specifying, in accordan ce with Section 3(2) of the St andards Regulations of 1998, the 
proposed date on which the compulsory standard will have effect, and the reasons for proposing that it 
be declared a compulsory standard.  The proposed  technical regulations are advertised in the Gazette  
and in at least one local newspaper for comment for a period of at least 60 days, unless it is an emergency situation.  They are also notified to the WTO. 
97. The ABBS has made public eight standards as National (Voluntary) Standards.  The 
authorities noted that these standards would so on be declared as technical regulations.
44 
                                                      
43 WTO document G/TBT/CS/2/Rev.13, 2 March 2007. 
44 Antigua and Barbuda Government Information online.  Viewed at:  http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v2/ 
government/bureau_of_standards/abbs_info/standards.htm.  The eight standards are as follows:  Antigua and Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 23 
 
 
98. There is no fully functional certification body in Antigua and Barbuda.  Although the ABBS 
is entitled by law to carry out certification and tes ting activities, it lacks the technical resources to do 
so.  The authorities indicated in the context of this review that Antigua and Ba rbuda might be able to 
undertake certification activities in the foreseeable fu ture; but according to the authorities, technical 
assistance is needed.  The authoriti es indicated that when such activ ities are carried out, they will be 
based on type approval, and will likely be based upon third-party assessments.  Supplier declaration of 
conformity may also be taken into account, as well as market surveillance.  At present, the ABBS 
lacks the technical regulations and reso urces to carry out market surveillance. 
99. The Government Chemistry Laboratory carries out basic testing, and there are three concrete 
testing laboratories:  one is at the Public Works Division, and two are private (the Caribbean Testing 
Laboratory, and Antigua Masonry Products).  It is  the intention of the ABBS to carry out type 
approval where possible and where necessary, to give  approval to the aforementioned laboratories to 
do certification work on behalf of the ABBS.  The ABBS has the legal authority to delegate this 
responsibility. 
100. The necessary technical regulations that form the basis for conformity assessment procedures 
have not yet been declared in Antigua and Barbuda. 
101. Antigua and Barbuda maintains an inventory of both voluntary and mandatory standards. 
(ix) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
102. Antigua and Barbuda has made a few notifica tions under the SPS Agreement (Table II.1).  
The enquiry point under the SPS Agreement is the Mi nistry of Agriculture, Lands, Marine Resources 
and Agro-Industries.   
103. Antigua and Barbuda has entered into bilatera l agreements on SPS matters with St. Vincent 
and the Grenadines, Guyana, St. Lucia, and Tr inidad and Tobago, as well as the territory of 
Montserrat. 
104. Antigua and Barbuda has various avenues throug h which it may inform trading partners about 
new or modified national SPS regulations that could affect trade.  Individual agencies will make the 
relevant notifications to the countries that are af fected, through contacts with counterpart agencies.  
The Plant Protection Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Marine Resources and Agro-
Industries has been identified as the operational foca l point of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.  
As a member of the International Plant Protection Convention, which Antigua and Barbuda joined in 
2005, the Plant Protection Unit serves as the focal point for phytosanitary measures. 
105. Imports of plants and unprocessed products must  conform with the Plant Protection Act of 
1941 (Cap 329 of the Revised Laws of Antigua and Barbuda), and the Plant Protection Regulations of 
1959.  Under Section 15 of the Act,  they must be  accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued 
by the Department of Agriculture of the exporting co untry stating that the articles are free from pests 
and diseases, and that they have been subjected to an y required treatments.  Imports of live plants and 
all unprocessed plant products and commodities and non-commercial untreated seeds are subject to 
technical quarantine regulations and control, depending on country of origin and presence of 
                                                                                                                                                                     
Barbuda Specification for Pre-package ice;  Antigua and Barbuda Specifi cation for Packaged Water(Mineral 
Water, Spring Water, Purified Water);  Labelling of Commodities Part 1:  General Principles;  Labelling of 
Commodities Part 2:  Labelling of Pre-package goods;  Labelling of Commodities Part 3:  Labelling of Pre-
package foods;  Labelling of Commodities Part 4:  Labelling of Pesticides;  Labelling of Commodities Part 5:  Labelling of Brewery Products;  An tigua and Barbuda Specification for new and used pneumatic tyres. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 24 
 
 
particular pest and diseases of quarantine importanc e to Antigua and Barbuda.  In 2005, Antigua and 
Barbuda notified a (Draft) Plant Protection Act to the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures.45  This act is not yet in force, and the prevailing legislation is still the Plant Protection Act, 
1941. 
106. The importation of soil or products containing soil  is prohibited.  Imported plants should be 
free of soil and are liable to examination by an of ficer of the Plant Protection Unit.  A pest-risk 
assessment is conducted on each reque sted commodity before a decision is made whether the risk of 
importation is acceptable (minimal or non-existent).  The importer is issued an import permit from the 
Ministry of Agriculture for each shipment and is instructed to communicate to the exporter the import 
requirements of Antigua and Barbuda.  Plant quarantin e inspectors, stationed at the two main ports of 
entry, are responsible for conducting inspections of all plants and plant products that enter via these 
and the minor ports.  Surveillance for general pest ma nagement is carried out periodically in high-risk 
areas within the country.  From  time to time, surveys are c onducted for pests of quarantine 
significance such as the boll weevil, the mango seed w eevil, and fruit flies.  The authorities indicate 
that their ability to carry out surveillance is limit ed by resource constraints, and that capacity-building 
assistance is needed. 
107. Antigua and Barbuda has developed a list of  prohibited and permitted commodities with 
respect to specific trading partners.  The Plant Pr otection Unit of the Department of Agriculture is, 
(May 2007), in the process of developing a website th at will include bilateral agreements, the list of 
quarantined pests, legislation, entry requirement s, and other related material.  Special import 
restrictions apply to some products, for exam ple mangoes from countries with mango seed weevil or 
fruit flies;  citrus from areas with fruit flies are prohibited. 
108. The (draft) Plant Protection Act extends the scope of the phytosanitary trade protocol to 
include imports of all unprocessed plant produce and GMOs. 
109. Imports of animals, poultry, livestock, and poultr y products must abide by the Animal Health 
Legislation (Cap 110 of the revised (1992) Laws of  Antigua and Barbuda), the Animals (Diseases and 
Importation) Act of 1953, and the Animals (Internat ional Movement and Disease) Act, Cap 19, which 
covers quarantine and the species subject to it.  These products must be accompanied by a certificate 
from the veterinary authority of the exporting co untry.  Inspection in Antigua and Barbuda is 
undertaken by the Veterinary Division of the Mi nistry of Agriculture.  There are no additional 
restrictions on the import and sale of animals that have been fed hormones (or their products). 
110. As a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Bi osafety, Antigua and Barbuda does not permit 
the importation or sale of living modified organisms (LMOs)46 unless approval has been obtained 
from the competent national authority.  That approval mu st be based, in part, on the results of a risk 
assessment.  In practice, this issue has not yet arisen. 
111. Antigua and Barbuda has notified to the SPS Committee its (Draft) Animals (National and 
International Movement and Disease Prevention) Act.47  This bill, which has not yet been enacted, 
would supersede the legislation;  it proposes to regu late the movement of animals into and out of 
Antigua and Barbuda with the aim of preventing and controlling the spread of certain prescribed animal diseases.  A draft Food Safety Act has also been notified to the WTO.
48  The bill proposes to 
                                                      
45 WTO document G/SPS/N/ATG/4, 26 August 2005. 
46 An LMO is a genetically modified organism that is capable of reproduction (e.g. seeds). 
47 WTO document G/SPS/N/ATG/2, 23 August 2005. 
48 WTO document G/SPS/N/ATG/3, 23 August 2005. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 25 
 
 
regulate the sale of food by producers, processors, manufacturers or handlers of food, as well as the 
import and export of food into or fr om Antigua and Barbuda.  This b ill has not yet come into effect. 
112. The Pesticides Control Act of 1973, Cap 125 a nd its regulations, contain the main provisions 
with respect to the registration, import, sale, transpor t, disposal, control, and inspection of pesticides.  
The Pesticides Control Board, which functions under the Ministry of Agriculture, is in charge of 
implementing the Act.  Pesticides and toxic substances must be registered with the Registrar of Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals.  A new draft Pes ticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act, 2004, as 
well as draft Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Contro l (Regulation, Licensing and Permit) Regulations 
were notified to the WTO SPS Committee in 2005.
49  These acts remain under review in the Ministry 
of Justice. 
113. Antigua and Barbuda is a contracting party to  the International Plant Protection Convention 
(IPPC), and a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, but not of the World Organisation for 
Animal Health (OIE). 
(2) MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING EXPORTS  
(i) Documentation, export taxes, and restrictions 
114. Up to five export documents are required:  an expor t declaration;  bill of lading or airway bill;  
invoice;  certificate of origin (for preferential trad e as needed);  and phytosanitary certificate (when 
required). 
115. Antigua and Barbuda applies export taxes on lobs ters (EC$0.10/lb) and fish (EC$0.05/lb).  
The legal basis for this is the Export Duty Act of 1941, Cap 162.  In its schedule, the Act mentions 
that export duties may also be applied on:  commercially pure bartes (EC$1/ton);  clean cotton lint 
(EC$0.04/lb);  molasses (EC$0.60/100 gallons);  and sugar (EC$6/ton.).  The authorities indicate that 
taxes on these products are not applied.   Total revenue collected is small and has been declining since 
1996.  Exports are exempt from internal taxes. 
116. Exports of wild birds are prohibited, as well as exports of any live or dead wildlife or parts, in 
accordance with the CITES.  There are no contro ls on domestic sales or exports of fruit and 
vegetables, other than the inspection, packing,  and certification requirements contained in the 
Exportation of Fruit Act of 1939, Cap 161. 
(ii) Export subsidies, financing, support, and promotion 
117. Antigua and Barbuda has not notified the WTO Committee on Agriculture whether it 
provides export subsidies to agricultural produc ts.  Antigua and Barbuda has notified to the 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures under Article 27 of the SCM Agreement as 
providing export subsidies:  the Fiscal Incentives Act, Cap 172 (December 1975), and Free Trade and Processing Zone Act No. 12 of 1994.
50 
118. There are no goods subject to export licensing. 
                                                      
49 WTO document G/SPS/N/ATG/1, 19 August 2005. 
50 According to the authorities, the Hotels Aids Act,  Cap 207 of 1954, Fisheries Act, Cap 173, and the 
relief granted to the fishing industry under the Antigua and Barbuda Customs Duties Act, No. 27 of 1993, and 
the Consumption Tax Act, No. 28 of 1993, are not relevant under Article 25 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (WTO docume nt G/SCM/N/71/ATG, 6 March 2002). WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 26 
 
 
119. In a decision taken 27 October 2006, the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures agreed to continue until 31 December 2007 the extension and continuation of the transition 
period, under Article 27.2(b) of the SCM Agreement, for the elimination of export subsidies that take 
the form of full or partial exemptions from import duties and internal taxes and were in existence 
under the programme on 1 September 2001.51  Antigua and Barbuda and the other OECS countries, 
together with eight other WTO Members, made a proposal in early 2006 that would extend export 
subsidies to 2018.52  In the view of these countries, export subsidies are necessary because these 
countries are “particularly vulnerable and unable to  fully and better integrate into the multilateral 
trading system and benefit from the positive aspects of international liberalization.”  In July 2007, the 
General Council decided to extend the date for the dismantlement of export subsidies to end 2015.  
Members benefiting from the extension must take, from 1 January 2008, the necessary internal steps 
with a view to eliminating export subsidies under th e programme before the end of the final two-year 
phase-out period.  In addition, from 1 January 2008 and no later than 31 December 2009, the Member 
must notify each beneficiary under the programme indicating that no export subsidies within the 
meaning of SCM Article 3.1(a) will be granted or  maintained beyond the end of calendar year 2015.53 
120. The Fiscal Incentives Act grants tax benefits to enterprises exporting part of their production 
and not enjoying a tax holiday or duty-free imports  of raw materials and capital goods.  A longer 
maximum period of tax holiday (15 years) is gran ted to enclave enterprises exporting all of their 
production (section (2)(ii))).54 
121. Free Trade and Processing Zone Act No. 12 of 1994 provides for (i) exemption from customs 
duty and other taxes on imports of machinery, equipm ent, spare parts, and items needed to construct 
and operate facilities within the FTPZ;  (ii) ex emption from custom duty and other taxes on the 
imports of goods to be incorporated in the pr oducts produced or assembled within the FTPZ;  
(iii) exemption from income and other taxes of any kind other than social security, medical benefits, 
and the education levy on the earnings of any person employed in any in dustrial or commercial 
activity within the FTPZ;  (iv) exemption from tax es on exports out of Antigua and Barbuda from the 
FTPZ;  (v) exemption from taxes of any kind on the repatriation of profits earned in the zone;  and 
(vi) exemption from government levies and taxes in respect of any industrial or commercial activity 
being carried out within the FTPZ. 
122. Companies require a licence to operate in the free zone.  Licence and registration are available 
only to corporations, regardless of where they ar e incorporated, or a branch or unit of such 
corporation.  The decision to grant a licence is based on considerations such as:  the level of 
investment;  the project's capacity to generate  employment;  generation of foreign exchange;  
technological adaptability and transfer possibilities;  and environmental impact.  There is no information on the amount of the subsidy under the programme. 
123. The only free zone in operation is the Free Trade and Processing Zone;  no manufacturing 
currently takes place there.  The first licence to  manufacture in the FTPZ was granted in 2001, and the 
factory is still under construction.  According to  the OECD, the licence fees received from sports 
                                                     
 
51  WTO document G/SCM/51/Add.4, 13 November 2006. 
52 WTO document G/SCM/W/535, 12 April 2006.  The other eight Members are:  Barbados, Belize, the 
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Jamaica, Mauritius, and Papua New Guinea. 
53 The proposal to extend the period is contained in WTO documents G/SCM/W/542, 2 July 2007 and 
G/SCM/W/535, G/SCM/W/542/Suppl.1, 9 July 2007. 
54 WTO documents G/SCM/N/74/ATG, 4 January 2002;  G/SCM/N/71/ATG, 6 March 2002;  
G/SCM/N/95/ATG, G/SCM/N/99/ATG, 3 July 2 003;  G/SCM/N/114/ATG, 30 June 2004;  
G/SCM/N/123/ATG, G/SCM/N/128/ATG, 6 July 2005;  G/SCM/N/128/ATG, 6 July 2005;  
G/SCM/N/146/ATG, 11 July 2006. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
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book and internet gambling represent the main source of revenues from the free trade zone.55  
Nevertheless, the size of these operations has declin ed considerably in recent years.  Between 1999 
and 2003, the number of licensed casino operators  fell from 119 (with 3,000 employees) to 28 (with 
fewer than 500 employees). 
124. Exporters may make use of the insurance a nd export credit guarantee facilities provided by 
the ECCB Export Credit Guarantee Scheme covering political and commercial risks.  The authorities note that producers in Antigua and Barbuda have ne ver, and are unlikely to use this scheme, as 
financing is more costly than under domestic comme rcial rates.  They further note that, for Antigua 
and Barbuda, it is not covered under Article 27.4 of  the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures.
56  Exporters may also receive export promotion support from the OECS Export 
Development Unit. 
(3) MEASURES AFFECTING PRODUCTION AND TRADE  
(i) Legal framework for business and taxation 
125. Companies are required to register under the Busi ness Registration Act, Cap 64, Vol. 2 of the 
revised (1992) Laws of Antigua and Barbuda.  Fore ign or local individuals wishing to establish a 
company in Antigua and Barbuda have various opt ions:  sole proprietors hips;  partnerships;  
corporations;  joint ventures;  and branches of foreign corporations.  In accordance with the 
Companies Act of 1995 (Cap 94, Vol. 5), one or more persons may subscribe their names to a Memorandum and Articles of Association, to form a company with limited liability.  Registration fees 
depend on the amount of the nominal share capital as stated in the articles of incorporation.  The 
minimum fee is EC$100 when the capital does not exceed EC$10,000, an additional 0.5% is payable 
up to EC$50,000, and 0.25% of the nominal capital th ereafter.  Businesses are also required to obtain 
an annual business licence. 
126. The authorities note that a company can be formed in a matter of days;  the limiting factors 
are time involved in obtaining the approval of the Re gistrar of Companies for the use of the name, and 
the time spent in preparing articles of incorporation and bylaws. 
127. Under the International Business Corpora tions Act of 1982, international business 
corporations (IBCs) can be formed by a locally registered trust company or by an accountant or 
attorney, and can usually be completed within 24 hour s.  IBCs are eligible for an array of incentives 
that include exemptions from various taxes in cluding customs duties.  International Business 
Corporation 1 (Amendment) No. 2 Act, 2002 provided that IBCs would not be charged income tax, 
capital gains and asset transfer tax.  International Business Corporations (Amendment) Act No. 18 of 
2005, introduced a modification to the minimum capital  requirements, which were previously fixed in 
US$1 million, and are now subject to variation through  regulations.  International Trust Act No. 22 of 
2004, provides for the establishment of international trusts by non-residents. 
128. The corporation tax  was reformed during the review period,  declining from a flat rate of 40% 
on companies profits to 30%.  Partnerships and un incorporated enterprises are treated as natural 
persons;  all other businesses pay 25%.  From 2001 until the repeal of the tax in 2005, there was a 2% 
tax on the gross turnover of non-incorporated busin esses.  Double-taxation treaties are in force with 
the United Kingdom and most other Commonwealth countries with regard to income earned in 
Antigua and Barbuda.  Property tax  is based on the market value of the land. 
                                                     
 
55 OECD (2006), p. 24. 
56 WTO document G/SCM/Q3/ATG/8, 2 July 2002. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 28 
 
 
129. Antigua and Barbuda is among the 41 countries and other jurisdictions that the OECD 
identified in 2000 countries as tax havens, it si gned a commitment letter with the OECD on 
transparency and the exchange of information, in February 2002, and has thus been removed from the 
uncooperative list.  Antigua and Barbuda committe d to transparency measures, and to share 
information in criminal tax matters by January 20 04, and in civil tax matters by January 2006.  The 
Antigua and Barbuda Tax Information Exchange Ac t 2002 provides the authority to comply with 
these commitments . 
(ii) Incentives and assistance 
130. The Government offers numerous concessions to i nvestors, particularly if the investment is 
substantial.  The main objectives are to promote investment in the country and develop domestic 
capacity in business, and to fac ilitate the establishment of investment.  Decisions on the granting of 
concessions are made by Cabinet, based on criteria la id out in the various incentives laws (see below). 
131. Current legislation on incentives includes the Aid to Pioneer Industries Act, the Fiscal 
Incentives Act and a number of sector-specific incen tives schemes, in particular for tourism, for 
example the Hotel Aid Act (Cap 204) (Chapter IV(3)(vi)). 
132. The Aid to Pioneer Industries Act (Cap 14) provides customs duty and income tax relief for 
pioneer industries.  These industries qualify for a tax holiday on corporate taxes of up to five years from the date production begins, and losses can be carri ed forward for up to three years after the tax 
holiday period ends.  The Fiscal Incentives Act (Cap 172), notified to the WTO
57, provides customs 
duty and consumption tax waivers for 10 to 15 years,  and complete or partial exemption from income 
tax on the profits from sales of approved products for up to 15 years.  The tax holiday period under 
the Fiscal Incentives Act depends on the group in whic h the enterprise is categorized, according to the 
local value-added generated or if it is geared for export.  As of mid 2007, some 35 firms were 
registered under the Fiscal Incentive Act in the sectors of beverages (2);  condiments (3);  detergent 
(2);  garments (6);  light industries (3);  and other (19).  Total sales by these companies were US$2.44 million in 2004 (last available year). 
133. New legislation for the management of incen tives, the Antigua and Barbuda Investment 
Authorities Act was enacted in November 2006.  The purpose of the new Act is to promote investment opportunities in the islands, introduce a sy stem of registration of business enterprises, and 
help investors to obtain facilities for business enterp rises.  The registration system is intended solely 
for investors that seek incentives; foreign and national investors that do not seek incentives are not 
required to register with this authority.  Bene fits include exemption fro m customs duty and income 
tax, and reductions of property tax and stamp duty.   The value and type of incentives available are 
established on a sliding scale:  the value of the incentives increases with the capital invested and the 
numbers of citizens or residents employed in the venture.
58  The new Act does not make any reference 
to existing legislation, such as the Fiscal Incentives Act or the Aid to Pioneer Industries Act.  The 
authorities note, however, that when incentives under these two Acts expire, they will be not be 
renewed;  investors will have to seek new incentives under the Investment Authority Act. 
134. The Act created the Antigua and Barbuda Invest ment Authority (ABIA), the third in a series 
of investment-promotion agencies.  The Industria l Development Board was set up in 1953 to help 
promote investment in manufacturing, and was later replaced by the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority.  An OECD study recommended that An tigua and Barbuda review the fiscal incentives 
                                                     
 
57 WTO document G/SCM/N/146/ATG, 11 July 2006. 
58 Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authorities Ac t.  Viewed at:  http ://www.laws.gov.ag/bills/ 
2006/investment-authority-bill.pdf. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 29 
 
 
system with a view to benchmarking the regime  against other OECS and CARICOM countries and 
setting up a transparent and predictable system that is WTO-compatible and clearly states the 
application requirements for all incentives and co ncessions, and the beneficiaries’ subsequent 
obligations.59 
135. The ABIA started functioning in May 2007.  Its mandate is to attract foreign direct 
investment and build, foster, and support local in vestment.  The ABIA gives priority to tourism 
development, financial services, business support (call centres, etc.), information/computer 
technology, health and wellness, education, logisti cs (e.g. transhipment), and light manufacturing.  
The ABIA also aims to create a level playing field for all investors, local or foreign, administer 
standard criteria as laid down in the Investme nt Authority Act for the grant of incentives and 
concessions, and respond in a timely manner to applica tions for investment certificates and incentives.  
The ABIA serves as a one-stop shop for investors,  as well as the repository for information on doing 
business in the country.  Applications for incen tives and concessions are now processed through the 
ABIA, which has authority to grant incentives.  Th e ABIA is run by a board that consists of 
government and private-sector interests, under direc tion from the Minister of Finance.  Under the new 
law, Cabinet still gives general policy direction to the authority. 
(iii) Competition policy and regulatory issues 
(a) Competition policy 
136. Antigua and Barbuda does not have  competition legislation in place.  A legislative project is 
under way to develop proposals to Parliament, but it is not certain when this might lead to a formal 
proposal.  The legislation will be based on the CA RICOM model law.  Protocol VIII revising the 
CARICOM Treaty, which has not yet been adopted, provides for the enactment and harmonization of 
competition legislation in CARICOM member States.  This is expected to provide the basis for the 
adoption of domestic competition legi slation in Antigua and Barbuda. 
(b) Price controls 
137. Price controls are applied on a list of products, in accordance with the Price Control Order of 
11 October 1967, which must be displayed by every tr ader selling any goods mentioned in the Order.  
The list covers 41 items and specifies the wholesale and retail margins allowed for each item.60  The 
wholesale margin is generally 10% (in some instan ces 12.5%, and in one instance 15%); the retail 
margin is generally 15% or 20%, but can be higher for some goods (e.g. 22.5% for frozen goods).  As 
a first step, the Prices and Consumer Affairs Divisi on of the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety 
ascertains the landed cost for each product at the port,  to which the relevant margins are added.  
Inspectors go to the retail outlets on a daily basis to  inspect the displayed prices for controlled items.  
First violations generally lead to the issuance of a warning, subsequent violations may result in fines 
(not exceeding EC$5,000) and prosecution. 
138. Products subject to fixed prices include bread  and petroleum products (gasoline, kerosene, 
etc.).  Prices are set by the Ministry of Finance, and can fluctuate in response to developments in the 
international market;  market surveillance is conduc ted by the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division 
of the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety. 
                                                      
59 OECD (2006), p. 48. 
60 The main products are:  aerated beverages, anim al and poultry parts, butte r, cheese, cocoa, fish, 
fruits, grains, jams, meats, milk, oils and fats, salt, su gar, soap, vegetables, school texts, toothpaste, gasoline, 
kerosene, and gas.  There has been no change in the list during the review period. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 30 
 
 
(c) State-owned enterprises and privatization 
139. Antigua and Barbuda has notified no state trading enterprise to the WTO. 
140. The Central Marketing Corporation (CMC), a st atutory body established in 1973, is mandated 
to provide a market for locally grown produce, secu re markets for them, and ensure that prices of 
basic food commodities remain stable.  The goals of the CMC were originally achieved through the 
import licensing regime, which restricts imports of an assortment of vegetables that local farmers 
could produce.  The CMC has the authority to exercise sole responsibility for the importation and marketing of carrots, cabbage, onions, sweet peppers , and tomatoes.  According to the authorities, 
however, the system of licences is being phased out, and the CMC’s monopoly is  not enforced; 
private importation of these commodities is unrestricted .  No date has been fixed for the elimination 
of the legal basis of the system.  No import licences have been required where farmers could not supply the market.  The CMC's de jure  monopoly on the importation of bulk rice and sugar was 
terminated in August, 2000. 
(iv) Government procurement 
141. Government procurement amounted to an estim ated EC$111.6 million in 2005 or about 6% of 
GDP.
61  Imports for government consumption are exempt from customs duties, customs service tax, 
and, until recently, the consumption tax. 
142. Antigua and Barbuda is not a party to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement. 
143. The Tenders Board under the Ministry of Finance,  is responsible for procurement.  The Board 
created by the Tenders Board Act of 1991, Cap 424 A Vol. 9 of the revised (1992) Laws of Antigua 
and Barbuda.  It is respons ible for procurement and supply of artic les and materials;  and for awarding 
of contracts for works and services for the Govern ment and any corporate body established by an Act 
of Parliament or any company limited by liabili ty in which the Government is the majority 
shareholder.  The Board has sole and exclusive au thority to invite, consid er, and accept or reject 
offers. 
144. Requests for tendering for supplies must be sent to the Board.  Tenders may be public or 
selective.  Upon receipt of a request by an agency, the Board must either:  invite members of the 
public in general to make offers for the supply of the articles, works or services, by notice published 
in the Gazette  and in local or overseas newspapers;  or subj ect to the approval of the Minister, invite 
such bodies or persons as may be select ed by the Board to make offers. 
145. In making its decision, the Boards must take into  account:  the quality of the articles or, in the 
case of works or services, the financial, techni cal and administrative competence of the persons 
making the offer;  and the prices offered.  It mu st accept the lowest offe r, except where it has good 
reason to accept another offer:  it must submit to  the Minister a comprehensive report giving its 
reasons for accepting an offer higher in value than the lowest offer.  Approval from the Minister of 
Finance is needed.  Once the contract is awarded, the Board must publish in the Gazette the name of 
the person or body to whom the contract is awarde d, the amount of the tender and the date on which 
the award was made. 
                                                      
61 Based on Ministry of Finance and the Economy budget estimates, the value of annual procurement 
by the Central Government was EC$84.1 million in 2000, EC$108.4 million in 2001, EC$167.9 million in 2002, EC$100.5 million in 2003, EC$111.9 million in 2004 and EC$111.6 million in 2005. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 31 
 
 
146. Under the Tenders Board Act, regulations may be developed to allow agencies to establish 
their own procurement departments for small amounts. 
147. The Tenders Board (Amendment) No. 8 of 2002 a llows the Board to exempt the Government 
or any statutory body from the tender procedure if it is  satisfied that it is expedient and desirable so to 
do. 
148. Despite the existence of general detailed legislation, there are no written guidelines on 
choosing the procurement process.  Procurement is not subject to set-asides or national or regional 
preferences. 
(v) Intellectual property rights 
149. The most significant IPR development during the review period is the enactment of a series of 
laws in 2003 dealing with trade marks, patents, copy right, industrial designs, topography of integrated 
circuits, and geographical indications.  This legisl ation has been notified to the WTO and examined 
by the TRIPS Council.62  Questions were raised on the scope of  protection, enforcement, national and 
most-favoured-nation treatment for nationals of ot her WTO Members, among others.  The Intellectual 
Property Office, under the Ministry of Legal Affa irs, is responsible for the administration of 
intellectual property rights. 
150. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization and 
contracting party to a number of intell ectual property conventions (Table III.5). 
Table III.5 
Participation in intellectual prop erty conventions and agreements 
Convention/Agreement Date of membership 
The Convention Establishing th e World Intellectual Property Organization  (1970) 17 March 2000 
The Paris Convention for the Protection of Indus trial Property, Stockholm Text (1883) 17 March 2000 
The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary  and Artistic Works, Paris Text (1886) 17 March 2000 
Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerni ng the International Registration of Marks (Madrid 
Protocol, 1989) 17 March 2000 
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (1970) 17 March 2000 
 
Source : World Intellectual Property Organization. 
151. Intellectual Property Office Act No. 15 of 20 03 created the office of the Registrar of 
Intellectual Property.  The registrar's duties are:  to perform all functions relating to the grant of 
patents and utility model certificates;  the registra tion of industrial designs, marks, collective marks 
and geographical indications;  supervise and perf orm other duties conferred by the intellectual 
property legislation or its regulations;  and to be  responsible for carrying out studies, programmes or 
exchanges of items or services on domestic and inte rnational IP issues, and on the use of patent 
documents as a source of information.  The offi ce was originally established as a division of the 
Ministry of Legal Affairs, but was transferred to the Ministry of Justice in 2006. 
(a) Trade marks 
152. New trade mark regulations implementing Trade Mark Act No. 18 of 2003, entered into force 
on 1 October 2006.  According to the authorities, th ese new regulations facilitate the implementation 
of the new intellectual property laws and are part of the programme of the Ministry of Justice and the 
                                                      
62 WTO documents IP/Q/ATG/1, IP/Q2/ATG/1, IP/Q3/ATG/1, IP/Q4/ATG/1, 28 April 2003. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 32 
 
 
Government of Antigua and Bar buda to update the intellectual pr operty laws required for modern 
trade and investment protection.  Under the Trade Marks Law, 2003, service marks can be registered. 
153. There were 1,212 trade marks registered in An tigua and Barbuda during 2001-06;  of these 
342 were foreign. 
(b) Patents and industrial designs 
154. Patents Act No. 23 of 2003 defines the scope of patentable inventions, provides that the right 
to a patent belongs to the inventor, sets out the procedures for requesting and obtaining a patent, and 
defines the rights of the patent holder.  The law spec ifies that a patent shall expire 20 years after the 
filing date of the application, and provides for com pulsory licensing where the patent is not exploited 
or insufficiently exploited.  It also allows for e xploitation of the patent by the Government or third 
persons when required for reasons of national security , nutrition, health or the development of other 
vital sectors of the national economy, or in response to anti-competitive practices.  Part II of the law is concerned with Antigua and Bar buda’s obligations under the Patent  Cooperation Treaty.  The law 
repeals the Patents Act of 1906 and the Registration of United Kingdom Patents Act. 
155. The authorities note that 75 patents have been  granted in Antigua and Barbuda between 2001 
and 2006. Antigua and Barbuda has not granted any patents on industrial designs. 
156. Under Industrial Designs Act No.19 of 2003, an indu strial design is registrable if it is new.  
The Act provides that the right to registration of an industrial design shall belong to the creator.  It sets out the procedures for registering an industrial d esign, and states that registration is for five years 
from the filing date of the application, renewable fo r two further consecutive periods of five years.  
The law repeals the United Kingdom Designs (Protecti on) Act, and aligns natio nal law with the terms 
of the Paris Convention for
 the Protection of Industrial Property.  
(c) Copyright 
157. Copyright Act No. 22 of 2003, which entered into effect in 2006, repealed the Copyright Act 
1911 of the United Kingdom.  Under the new law, copy right may be conferred on an original literary, 
musical, dramatic, or artistic work;  sound record ings, film broadcasts, or cable recordings; and 
typographical arrangements of publis hed editions.  Databases are elig ible for treatment as literary 
works, but are regarded as original only if the compilation constitutes the author’s own intellectual 
creation.  Provision is also made for the protection of  collections of folklore.  Copyright protection is 
generally for life plus 50 years, but it is limit ed to 25 years for typographical arrangements of 
published editions.  The Copyright Act sets rules on copyright owners' economic and moral rights, 
joint authorship, the ownership and assignment of ri ghts, licensing, exceptions, the rights conferred in 
performances, and the available remedies for infringe ment of copyright and related rights.  The Act 
also establishes a Copyright Tribunal. 
(d) Other intellectual property rights 
158. Under Geographical Indications Act No. 21 of 20 03, which entered into effect in 2006, any 
interested person or group of producers or consum ers may institute proceedings in the Court to 
prevent misleading the public or unfair competition, in respect of geographical indications.  The law 
provides for registration, but also states that pr otection is available whether or not a geographical 
indication has been registered. 
159. Integrated Circuits Topography Act No. 20 of 2003 makes it unlawful to reproduce a 
protected layout-design, or to import, sell, or othe rwise distribute an unlawfully reproduced layout-Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 33 
 
 
design.  The law, which entered into effect in 2006, sets out the procedures for registration of these 
designs. 
160. Antigua and Barbuda has no legislation with respect to protection of plant varieties, 
undisclosed information, internet protection trea ties, and legislation governing the protection of 
domain names. 
(e) Enforcement 
161. Antigua and Barbuda submitted a Check list of Issues on Enforcement in 2001.63  T h e  I P R  
enforcement system in general is based on a combination of legislation and Common Law.  
Intellectual property rights in Antigua and Barbuda are private rights, and consequently, the onus of 
enforcing those rights lies with the right holder. 
162. The Supreme Court of Judicature (comprising th e High Court of Justice and the courts of 
appeal), has jurisdiction over IPR infringement cases, with final appeal to the Judicial Committee of 
the Privy Council.  The owner of the intellectual property right or a licensee may assert his/her right 
through civil proceedings.  In the case of copyright  and neighbouring rights, and protection of secret 
information, owners of IPRs may assert their rights, without the need for registration.  Registration is 
required for the protection of trade marks, patents, in dustrial designs and integrated circuits, and plant 
breeders' rights.  However, unregistered tr ade marks may be protected under common law. 
163. Enforcement remedies include:  injunctions;  damages, including recovery of profits, and 
expenses, including attorney's fees;  and destruc tion or other disposal of infringing goods and 
materials/implements for their production.  Under common law, a right holder who has valid grounds 
for suspecting that imports infringe any intellectual property right may apply to the court for an order 
for the suspension by the Customs Au thorities of the release into free circulation of such goods.  In 
addition, Section 50 of the Copyright Act 2003 allows the customs authorities to seize imported copies of published copyright material if a notice of  objection has been given to the Comptroller of 
Customs and Excise.  Customs authorities indicated, in the context of this Review, that this provision 
has not yet been enforced;  the authorities indicated  that they are still in the process of training. 
164. Criminal offences are provided for under trad e mark, copyright and industrial property 
legislation for certain violations, and are punishable with fines and imprisonment of up to five years. 
IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
(1) A
GRICULTURE  
165. Antigua and Barbuda's agriculture sector is sma ll, contributing an average of less than 4% 
(3.6% in 2005) to GDP during the period under review.64  Between 2001 and 2004, the total value of 
the sector's contribution to the economy is estimated at around US$16 million.65  Fisheries contributes 
the major share of output (around 50%), as well as ve getables, roots, peppers, and a range of fruits, 
including mango, soursop and guava (30% of output).66  Livestock, contributes an average of 19% of 
total agricultural output.  The majority of produc tion in the sector is geared toward domestic 
consumption.  The authorities regard the sector as important because it employs around 8% of the 
30,000 workforce, the majority of whom are fema le, and is important for food security and social 
                                                      
63 WTO document IP/N/6/ATG/1, 28 November 2001. 
64 Government of Antigua and Barbuda (2006). 
65 Government of Antigua and Barbuda (2006). 
66 Government of Antigua and Barbuda (2006). WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
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welfare.67  Despite the small contribution to GDP, ther e have been modest increases in value added 
during the period under review.  In 2005, output in creased by 2.6%, with the fisheries sector leading 
growth.68  In 2006, output increased by 6.5%, agai n due to increases in output in fisheries.69 
166. The authorities have placed a greater emphasis on agriculture during the review period, in part 
due to its potential to generate em ployment, particularly in rural areas, and as a result of concerns 
about the limited capacity of the services sector to create new employment.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries and, with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on 
Agriculture (IICA), have jointly examined ways to maximize the potential of agriculture to the 
economy, particularly in rural areas, and facilitate development of agriculturally oriented value-added 
micro-enterprises.  The authorities identified, inter alia , inadequate water resources for irrigation, 
inadequate reliance on technology, non-linkages betw een agriculture and other sectors, and a weak 
policy framework to guide the sector, as some of the challenges to improving the overall contribution 
of the sector to the local economy.
70 
167. The average tariff for agricultural products (WTO  definition) is 16.2%;  rates in the sector 
range from 0-40%.  The average bound rate for agricu ltural products is 105.7%.  The 40% rate applies 
to fruit and vegetables;  fish and fish products;  an imals and products thereo f;  tobacco;  beverages 
and spirits;  coffee, tea, sugar and cocoa;  and o ils and fats (Chapter III(1)).  Some of Antigua and 
Barbuda's lowest tariffs, by WTO category, are app lied on other agricultural products, including dairy 
products and cut flowers and plants.  Antigua and Barbuda has notified its import licensing regime to 
the WTO.  Imports of some agricultural products  may require licences;  non-automatic licences may 
be required in respect of poultry, livestock and poultry products, plan ts and plant products. 
(2) MANUFACTURING  
168. Antigua and Barbuda's manufacturing is limited mainly to production of beverages, roofing 
galvanize, paints and varnishes,  furniture, condiments, rum, garments, and some agri-processing and 
handicrafts.  Manufacturing makes a relatively sm all contribution to GDP.  In 2005, the sector 
contributed 2% to GDP and grew by 3.5%, after contracting by 4% in 2004.71  The sector's share of 
GDP increased to 2.6% in 2006.72 
169. The average tariff on manufactured imports is 10.2% (by ISIC sector) with rates ranging rates 
between zero and 70%.  In 2005, manufacturing a ccounted for some 29% of total merchandise 
exports, at just US$35 million. 
170. Manufacturing activities may benefit from incen tives under the Fiscal Incentives Act Cap 172 
(December 1975), and Free Trade and Processing Zone Act No. 12 of 1994. 
(3) SERVICES  
(i) Main features 
171. Antigua and Barbuda made sector-specific commitments under the General Agreement on 
Trade in Services in 6 of the 12 broadly define d service areas, or 32 of the approximately 160 
                                                      
67 IICA (2006). 
68 Caribbean Development Bank (2006). 
69 Caribbean Development Bank (2007). 
70 IICA (2006). 
71 Caribbean Development Bank (2006). 
72 Caribbean Development Bank (2007). Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
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subsectors:  financial services (insurance serv ices);  business services (professional services;  
computer and related services; research and developm ent services;  tourism and travel related services 
(hotels and restaurants);  recreational, cultural and sporting services (entertainment services);  and transport services (maritime transport services).  Unlike all other OECS-WTO Members, Antigua and 
Barbuda has not yet submitted an initial offer on services in the DDA (Chapter II).  Except for 
telecommunications services, no market access or national treatment limitations have been scheduled on cross-border supply and consumption abroad.  Conversely, all commercial presence commitments 
are subject to market access and in some cases national treatment limitations. 
172. Antigua and Barbuda's horizontal commitments include limitations rega rding natural persons 
and commercial presence.  With respect to the latter, the schedule contains a general approval 
requirement and encourages joint ventures.  With respect to the movement of natural persons, the 
schedule contains a labour market test, permitting em ployment of foreign natural persons only when 
qualified nationals are unavailable.  Antigua and Barbuda's list of Article II (MFN) exemptions is 
confined to one limitation on terrestrial-based mobile telecommunication services, allowing for preferential treatment for CARICOM service suppliers. 
(ii) Telecommunications 
173. Antigua and Barbuda participat ed and made commitments in the WTO extended negotiations 
on basic telecommunications services.
73  These commitments grant protection to APUA for provision 
of domestic services, indefinitely, and Cable and Wi reless for the provision of international services 
until 2012.  The commitments include unrestrict ed market access for voice telephony, packet-
switched data transmission, circuit-switched data tr ansmission, telex and telegraph, and private leased 
circuit services as of 2012 for international service s; market access for domestic services remains 
unbound.  Packet-switched and circ uit-switched data transmission services for non-public use may be 
provided only on network facilities supplied by the exclusive operators, and bypass of the exclusive 
operators is not permitted until 2012;  these services are liberalized as of 2012 for international 
services.  Provision of facsimile services, electronic mail, voice mail, internet access, and certain other 
value-added services is allowed only on network f acilities supplied by the exclusive operators.  
Provision of terrestrial-based mobile services remains unbound for cross-border supply74, and requires 
a minimum investment of US$500,000 for forei gn suppliers wishing to establish a commercial 
presence.  Antigua and Barbuda's commitments al so include the Reference Paper on regulatory 
disciplines of basic telecommunications services. 
174. Telecoms services in Antigua and Barbuda are under the responsibility of the Minister of 
Information, Broadcastin g and Telecommunications.75  Regulation is the responsibility of the 
Telecommunications Division, within the Ministry, which is charged with carrying out the provisions 
of the Telecommunications Act of 1951 (as amende d), the main legislation governing the sector.76  
According to the authorities, a new Telecommunicati ons Bill is under consideration, and is likely to 
be enacted by the end of 2007.  This Bill, inter alia , proposes to standardize licensing procedures and 
allow the granting of licences for international fixed-line services. 
175. Antigua and Barbuda is the only OECS-WTO Memb er that is not a member of the Eastern 
Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL).   The authorities indicate that Antigua and 
                                                      
73 Antigua and Barbuda accepted the Fourth Protocol  on 15 December 1997;  it entered into force on 
5 February 1998. 
74 WTO document GATS/SC/2/Suppl.1, 11 April 1997. 
75 Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications online information.  Viewed at:  
http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v2/government/shared/dep_information.html. 
76 Telecommunications Act 1951.  Viewed at:  h ttp://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/chapters/cap-423.pdf. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
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Barbuda has no immediate plans to participate in the ECTEL Treaty, due to the existence of cross-
subsidies provided by the telecom sect or to electricity and water utilities. 
176. Under the Telecommunications Act (1951), telecoms service providers must be licensed by 
the Telecommunications Division.  The Cabinet has th e authority to make rules on types and forms of 
licence and the manner in which licences applications are to be made, as well as the terms, conditions, 
and restrictions attached to granting licences and the duties of licensees.  Licences have been granted 
to companies offering Cable TV, undersea cable and in ternet services.  According to the authorities, 
there has been no standard approach to granting li cences, with varying terms and conditions attached;  
however, the new Telecommunications Act will intr oduce a uniform approach.  As at May 2007, 
11 licences had been granted for internet services, a nd four of these licensees were operating internet 
networks and services. 
177. There was no competition in the fixed-line mark et.  The Antigua and Barbuda Public Utilities 
Authority (APUA), which is state-owned, provi des domestic fixed-line services, and its monopoly 
rights are protected indefinitely under the P ublic Utilities Act (Cap 359) of 1973 (as amended).77  
Cable and Wireless (Antigua and Barbuda) Ltd. pr ovides international fixed-line services.  A new 
cable has been landed in Antigua and Barbuda, whic h will introduce competition into the international 
services market;  however, this may not be opera tional until the new Act is in place (see above). 
178. According to the authorities, while APUA ha s a monopoly on all domestic services, including 
mobile services, it has introduced competition by su blicensing two companies (Digicel and Cable and 
Wireless) to provide mobile services, as well as providing mobile services itself. 
179. Telecommunications revenues contributed ar ound 10% to Antigua and Barbuda's GDP in 
2006;  fixed-line penetration was at 70% of house holds and Internet penetration at around 25%.  
Telecommunications investment was EC$100 million, with EC$20 million attributable to the landing 
of the new cable.  Direct employment in the sector in the same year was estimated at around 500 people. 
180. Tariffs for local fixed-to-fixed-line calls ar e currently (mid 2007) around EC$0.05 per minute 
for peak time calls and EC$0.25 for off-peak calls;  calls are charged per unit of three minutes.  Fixed-
line rental charges are EC$30 per month for residential users and EC$60 for business users.  Tariffs for fixed-line-to-mobile calls are charged at the same  rate to all mobile opera tors.  An international 
call to the United States costs around EC$0.98 per minute, although in a deal offered by Cable and Wireless, the cost of certain calls listed by the cu stomer could be as low as EC$0.25 per minute.  The 
mobile charges offered by the three mobile operato rs were similar, at around EC$0.72 to EC$0.75 per 
minute, with on-network calls being cheaper. 
181. Until it was replaced by the Antigua and Barbuda sales tax (ABST) at the end of January 
2007, a 20% tax was levied on each overseas teleco mmunication originating in  Antigua and Barbuda 
(telephone, phototelegram, telex, telegram or cable).
78  The tax was collected by licence holders;  in 
2005, it generated EC$9.8 million in revenues.79 
                                                      
77 Public Utilities Act, Cap 359, 1973.  Viewed  at:  www.laws.gov.ag/ acts/chapter-359.pdf. 
78 Telecommunications Tax Act.  Viewed at:  h ttp://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/ chapters/cap-424.pdf. 
79 ECCB (2006). Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
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182. Call-back services are prohibited under the Telecommunications (Prevention and Prohibition 
of Unauthorised Use and Services Act), No. 16 of  1994; and amendments to the Act in 2003 also 
prohibited bypass of the international gateway.80 
(iii) Financial services 
183. The authorities, intend to create a single regulat ory unit for all non-bank financial services, by 
transferring authority for credit unions, domestic  casinos, landbased casinos, insurance and money 
transfer services to the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC).  It is expected that this 
will be achieved in 2008.  Currently the FS RC regulates only the offshore sector (see below). 
184. Antigua and Barbuda did not participate in the WTO extended negotiations on financial 
services.  In its GATS schedule, it has undertaken co mmitments only on reinsurance services, without 
limitations on cross-border supply, and subjecti ng commercial presence to the provisions of the 
Insurance Act.81 
(a) Onshore financial services 
Banking 
185. Domestic Banks in Antigua and Barbuda are ultimately regulated by the ECCB.  ECCB 
member countries have harmonized in substance th eir national banking legi slation, based upon a 
template Uniform Banking Act (see Overview Repor t).  The main legislation governing the banking 
industry in Antigua and Barbuda is Banking Act No. 14 of 2005.82  The Act reflects amendments to 
the Uniform Banking Act in 2005 to upgrade legislati on in relation to the Basle core principles.  
These changes include strengthened oversight of financial institutions by the ECCB, and more 
stringent and systematic reporting requirements by such institutions. 
186. Banks must be licensed by the Minister of Fi nance, and fulfil the conditions required for 
licensing (see Overview Report).  These include that banks (both local and foreign financial 
institutions) must be established as a locally incorporat ed company, a subsidiary or a branch and have 
a place of business there.  The authorities confirm th at Antigua and Barbuda does not restrict citizens 
or companies of Antigua and Barbuda from borrowing or placing deposits with banks located abroad.  
Antigua and Barbuda no longer maintains excha nge controls on capital and non-trade current 
transactions (see Chapter I).  In accordance with the Banking Act there are no limitations on foreign 
investment in onshore banks in Antigua and Barbuda.  Foreign-owned banks licensed and 
incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda are subject  to the same requirements as locally owned and 
incorporated banks and may provide the same se rvices.  Branches of foreign banks must submit 
additional information when applying for a licence,  to show that they are subject to effective 
supervision at home and confirm that the regulator y body in their home jurisdiction does not object to 
the application.  There are no residency or citizen ship requirements for bank managers or directors. 
187. There are eight commercial banks operating in Antigua and Barbuda:  three are branches of 
foreign banks (Bank of Nova Scotia;  First Caribb ean International Bank (Barbados) Ltd;  and Royal 
                                                      
80 Telecommunications (Prevention and Prohibition of  Unauthorised Use and Services Act), No. 16, 
1994.  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/1994/a1 994-16.pdf; and, Telecomm unications (Prevention and 
Prohibition of Unauthorized Use and Services (Amendmen t Act), No. 1 2003.  Viewed at:  http://www.laws. 
gov.ag/acts/2003/a2003-1.pdf. 
81 WTO document GATS/SC/2, 15 April 1994. 
82 Banking Act No. 14 of 2005.  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/2005/a2005-14.pdf.  The 
various changes introduced by the 2005 Banking Act, and their rationale are described at the end of the Act. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 38 
 
 
Bank of Canada);  four are locally incorporat ed and locally owned (ABI Bank Ltd;  Antigua 
Commercial Bank;  Bank of Antigua Ltd;  and Caribb ean Union Bank Ltd.);  and one bank is a locally 
incorporated branch of a regionally owned bank ( RBTT Bank Caribbean Ltd.).  In 2005, the weighted 
average spread between commercial bank deposit a nd lending rates was 7 percentage points (3.9% 
deposit, 10.9% lending).83  Antigua and Barbuda h as one development bank, the Antigua and Barbuda 
Development Bank, which is funded by the Ca ribbean Development Bank and local statutory 
corporations.  According to the authorities, the lending rates offered by the Development Bank have 
been higher than commercial banks, because it does no t have access to low-cost funding.  The Bank's 
current objectives are to reduce its non-performing portfolio and look at new areas in which to 
establish its position.  According to the authorities,  Antigua and Barbuda does not levy any specific 
taxes on financial transactions. 
188. The authorities note that credit unions are important players in the financial system and are 
expanding and offering new services.  The two majo r credit unions are St. John's Cooperative Credit 
Union and Community First Credit Union, and there are other, smaller players.  Credit unions are 
regulated by a Registrar of Cooperatives, and are lik ely to be subsumed under the regulatory authority 
of the FSRC.  Credit unions are not subject to th e same requirements as commercial banks, but some 
have adopted guidelines issued by the ECCB. 
Insurance 
189. The Insurance Act, Cap 218 and the Insurance (L icence) Act Cap 220 of the revised Laws of 
Antigua and Barbuda govern the ope rations of the onshore sector.84  Insurance companies operating in 
Antigua and Barbuda must be registered by the Regi strar of Insurance in the Ministry of Finance and 
the Economy. 
190. In 2007, there were 23 onshore insurance compan ies registered and operating in Antigua and 
Barbuda.  Eight of these were locally owned and opera ted limited liability companies, while the others 
were agents of foreign firms.  These companies o ffer General and life insurance but not reinsurance. 
191. To be registered, insurance companies must deposit EC$200,000 with the Accountant 
General.85  Insurers must also be lawfully constituted in accordance with the la ws of the country in 
which the head office is situated , have a paid-up share capital of  not less than EC$200,000, and be 
registered as a company under the Companies Act.86  Under the Insurance Act, foreign insurance 
companies must have a principal office in Antigua and Barbuda, which may be a branch office or the 
office of an agent of the insurer.  Foreign companie s must also file with the Registrar fully executed 
power of attorney to a resident in Antigua a nd Barbuda.  There are no nationality or citizenship 
requirements for company directors, nor are they re quired to reside in Antigua and Barbuda.  Full 
foreign ownership of onshore insurance companies is permitted. 
192. An initial registration fee (currently EC$5,000)  and an annual fee for continued registration 
(currently EC$5,000) are also payable.87  The Minister of Finance has the right to refuse applications 
if they are deemed not to be in the public inter est;  the Minister is not obliged to provide a reason.88 
                                                      
83 ECCB (2006). 
84 Government of Antigua and Barbuda online inform ation:  Viewed at http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/ 
chapters/cap-218.pdf; and, http://www.l aws.gov.ag/acts/chapters/cap-220.pdf. 
85 Section 7 of the Insurance Act. 
86 Section 14 of the Insurance Act. 
87 Schedule of the Insurance Act. 
88 Section 6 of the Insurance Act. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 39 
 
 
193. Under the Insurance Levy Act, special insuran ce brokers who place business with an insurer 
not registered under the Insurance Act are liable for an  insurance levy of 3% of the premium paid to 
the insurer, less the agen t's commission.  This applies to a ll classes of insurance except motor 
vehicles. 
(b) Offshore financial services 
194. Offshore banking and insurance are regulated  by the Financial Services Regulatory 
Commission (FSRC).89  Within the FSRC there is a Supervisor of International Banks and Trust 
Corporations and a Superintendent of International Insurance Companies.90  The main laws governing 
offshore financial services are the International Bu siness Corporations (IBC) Act (as amended) and 
the International Trusts Act.91 
195. International banks and insurance companies, require a licence.  They enjoy complete tax 
exemption, guaranteed by the Government for 50 years from establishment, as well as total exemption 
from exchange control, and are allowed to issue bearer shares.  There are 17 international banks 
registered in Antigua and Barbuda, and 12 international insurance companies. 
196. The minimum capital requirements for establishi ng an international bank are:  US$3 million 
for Class I, and US$500,000 for Cl ass II banks;  US$250,000 for intern ational insurance companies;  
and US$250,000 for international trus t companies.  International ba nks may only conduct transactions 
in currencies other than those of CARICOM member s.  International banks and insurance companies 
are precluded from any active trade or business within Antigua and Barbuda or any other CARICOM member state, they must have a registered office and a registered agent in Antigua and Barbuda, and 
at least one director must be a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.  A nnual government fees are 
US$15,000 for an international ba nk and US$10,000 for an interna tional insurance business.  The 
initial registration fees for international banks  are US$25,000 for Class I banks, and US$15,000 for 
Class II banks;  annual licence renewal fees are the same as the registration fees. 
197. Antigua and Barbuda was not included in the G7 Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) list of 
non-cooperative countries.  In its June 2000 report,  however, the FATF expressed concerns about the 
ability to identify beneficial owners, and sugg ested that amended regulations on customer 
identification requirements and improved registration procedures would address these issues.
92  The 
authorities confirm that these concerns have since been addressed. 
(iv) Air transport 
198. Antigua and Barbuda has not made any GATS commitments on air transport activities.93 
199. Antigua and Barbuda is one of the main civil aviation centres within the OECS.  Total 
passenger arrivals rose from 387,715 in 2005, to 436,279 in 200694, significantly more than most 
                                                      
89 Financial Services Regulatory Commission online info rmation.  Viewed at:  www.fsrc.gov.ag.  The 
FSRC was created as a result of the International Business Corporation (Amendment) Act 2002. 
90 These offices were created by International Busi ness Corporation (Amendment) Act No. 10, 2002. 
91 Since 2001, there have been several amendments to the International Business Corporation Act 
(No. 9 of 2001;  No. 10 of 2002;  No. 20 of 2002;  No. 5 of 2004;  and No. 18 of 2005).  Viewed at:  
http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/acts-abc.htm#I. 
92 FATF online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.fatf-gafi.org/dataoecd/56/43/33921824.pdf. 
93 WTO document GATS/SC/2, 15 April 1994.  Paragraph 2 of the GATS Annex on Air Transport 
Services excludes from the scope of the Agreement all measures affecting tr affic rights and services directly 
related to traffic rights. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 40 
 
 
other OECS member countries.95  Most carriers operating flights in to and out of Antigua and Barbuda 
were from the region and from the United States,  the United Kingdom and Canada.  Imports and 
exports of goods transported by air are processed at the V.C. Bird International Airport. 
200. Antigua and Barbuda has two airports, the V.C.  Bird International Airport in Antigua the 
main one, and Codrington Airport Barbuda.  Their property is in the hands of the Government.  
Government ownership of the main airports is de facto, and is no t mandated by law.  Some private 
landing strips exist in Barbuda. 
201. Antigua and Barbuda's main airports are ma naged by the Antigua and Barbuda Airport 
Authority, established in February 2007.  This is a government-owned statutory body governed by a 
Board of Directors, appointed by Cabinet.  It is required to make annual repor ts to Parliament.  The 
rationale for setting up the Airport Authority was to ma nage the airports in a more efficient and cost-
effective manner, expecting to gene rate profits.  Previously, airports  were managed by a government 
department.  There are no legal obstacles preven ting the Airport Authority from contracting out 
airport management services, but no such concessions  have yet been granted.  The provision of 
auxiliary services by private local and foreign co mpanies is permitted, with permission from the 
Airport Authority.  Ground handling, for example, is carried out by foreign airlines. 
202. Over the review period, the Government in troduced a passenger facility tax of US$10 per 
individual to help pay for the expans ion and development of the airport.96  This includes work on the 
runway as well as the building of a new terminal. 
203. The main regional airline is LIAT;  until early 2007, Caribbean Star, registered in Antigua 
also provided regional services.  The Government of  Antigua has a share in LIAT, along with certain 
other governments in the region;97  LIAT is incorporated in Antig ua and Barbuda.  Caribbean Star 
Airlines Ltd. is wholly privately owned and is in corporated in Antigua and Barbuda.  In February 
2007, Caribbean Star and LIAT began offering a combined schedule, under the LIAT name, and 
discussions on a merger between the two airlines was under consideration.98  One carrier, Carib 
Aviation operates flights between Antigua and Ba rbuda as well as flights between Antigua and 
St. Kitts and Nevis.  Carib Aviation is incorpor ated in Antigua and Barbuda but owned by Trans 
Island Air of Barbados.  There are no foreign inv estment restrictions re lating to ownership of 
domestically incorporated carriers. 
204. Overall responsibility for the development and supervision of civil aviation in Antigua and 
Barbuda rests with the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation.  Reporting to the Minister, the Air 
Transport Licensing Board deals with licence applica tions and has authority for approval of tariffs 
charged for cargo and passenger transport.  At the regional level, regulatory oversight for safety and 
security issues is provided by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA). 
                                                                                                                                                                     
94 These figures do not include passengers in transit at  the VC Bird Internationa l Airport, and represent 
only stay-over visitors/arrivals.  The authorities estimate  that transit passengers may account for as much as 25% 
of traffic at this airport. 
95 Caribbean Tourism Organisation online informati on.  Viewed at:  http://www.onecaribbean.org/ 
information/documentview.php?rowid=4364. 
96 Passenger Facility Charge Act, 2002, and Passe nger Facility Charge (Amendment) Act, 2003.  
Viewed at:  http://www.laws. gov.ag/acts/acts-abc.htm#P. 
97 Other major shareholders in LIAT are the Governments of Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 
and St. Lucia . 
98 Government of Antigua and Barbuda online information.  Viewed at:  www.ab.gov.ag 
/gov_v2/government/pressreleases/pressreleases2007/prelease_2007jan10_2.html. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 41 
 
 
205. The main legislation governing the sector is Ci vil Aviation Act No. 25 2003.  Under Article 
49 of the Act, the Minister has the authority to make regulations on all aspects of civil aviation, 
including with respect to the licensing of persons to provide certain services. 
206. The Civil Aviation Act 2003, does not directly  impose restrictions on cabotage services, 
however, under Article 52, the Minister has the aut hority to make regulations for the control of 
commercial aircraft carrying goods and services with in Antigua and Barbuda.  No such regulations 
have been issued. 
207. Under the Act, approval by the Minister of To urism and Civil Aviation is required before air 
transport service licences may be granted by the Air Transport Licensing Board.  This requirement 
does not apply, however, to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda or a member state of the OECS or 
CARICOM;  or a body incorporated in Antigua a nd Barbuda that is subs tantially controlled by 
citizens of Antigua and Barbuda or a OECS/CARIC OM Member State.  Under the 2003 Act, the 
following must be considered when granting a licen ce:  existence of other air services;  need/demand 
for the proposed service;  and any unfair advantage of the applicant over other operators by reason of the terms of employment of persons employed.  In  addition, the Minister has final authority to 
suspend consideration of the application.  For countries with which Antigua and Barbuda has a 
bilateral air agreement the above issues are not cons idered, unless the Minister directs otherwise;  the 
only consideration is whether the airline is f it, willing, and able to operate the service. 
208. Antigua and Barbuda levies fees on passengers trav elling by air:  the passenger facility charge 
(see above), travel tax, and the embarkation tax (see section (vi)). 
209. Antigua and Barbuda is a contracting state of  ICAO.  It has one bilateral air services 
agreement recorded by ICAO, with the United Kingdom.  Antigua and Barbuda's air transport 
arrangements with the United States are regulated by the 1977 U.S.-U.K. Bermuda II Agreement, 
which Antigua and Barbuda acceded to after its independence in 1981.  Antigua and Barbuda has 
agreements with a number of countries to provide direct air passengers transport services.  These 
agreements have not been notified to ICAO, which decreases transparency in  these services.  Antigua 
and Barbuda is also a signatory to the CARI COM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) 
which is registered with ICAO. 
210. Effects are underway to revise the CARICOM MA SA to bring it into conformity with the 
requirements of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.  This is a necessary prerequisite to any measures for advancing open skies type arrangements with third party States. 
(v) Maritime transport 
211. The main legislation governing maritime trans port is Merchant Shipping Act No.1 of 2006.
99  
The 2006 Act consolidates and modernizes the pr evious legislation and provides for the 
implementation of international conve ntions and agreements to which An tigua and Barbuda is a party.  
Merchant shipping activities are administered by the Department of Marine Services and Marine 
Shipping (ADOMS).100  ADOMS is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The 
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has ultim ate responsibility for merchant shipping and ship 
registration. 
                                                      
99 Merchant Shipping Act No. 1 of 2006.  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/2006/a2006-1.pdf. 
100 ADOMS online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.antiguamarine.com. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 42 
 
 
212. Under the Aliens Restriction Act, Cap 16, the masters, chief officers and chief engineers of 
merchant ships registered in An tigua and Barbuda must be citizen s of Antigua and Barbuda, except on 
vessels employed mainly in voyages betw een ports outside Antigua and Barbuda.101 
213. Cabotage may be carried out only by Antigua and Barbuda ships.102  An Antigua and Barbuda 
registered ship must be either:  owned or effec tively controlled by citizens of Antigua and Barbuda;  
or owned by CARICOM citizens or by a company re gistered either under the International Business 
Corporations Act or the Companies Act.  These criteria may be waived with ministerial approval.103  
The Antigua and Barbuda register of ships compris es an international ships register, a register for 
mega-yachts, and a local register.  Various fees and charges are levied on ships registered under the 
Antigua and Barbuda flag.  Registration fees, and a nnual charges vary according to gross tonnage.  As 
at May 2007, there were 1,133 ships registered on the international register;  39 ships registered on the 
local register, and 210 vessels registered on the yach t register.  The authorities noted that the main 
users of the international register are located in Germany and other European countries, and the 
United States. 
214. Antigua and Barbuda's main commercial seaport is St. Johns.  In addition, bulk cement arrives 
at Crabbes Port, and bulk petroleum products enter through High Point Port (Texaco) and Fort James 
Port (West Indies Oil).  Sea ports are owned and controlled by the Government.  Figures were not 
available on the volume or value of cargo or passenger a rrivals by maritime transport, nor estimates of 
the costs of transport as a percentage of imports. 
215. The Antigua Port Authority is responsible for developing the harbours of Antigua and 
Barbuda;  operating and ma naging port services;  and collecting dues and charges as authorized by the 
Port Authority Act.104  Some port services are provided by the private sector, for example, stevedore 
activities are privately owned and operated, and port security is provided by private firms. 
216. A travel tax, an embarkation tax, and a cruise passenger tax are levied on passengers 
travelling to and from Antigua and Barbuda by maritime transportation (see below). 
217. According to the authorities additional security  measures were taken during the period under 
review, to bring Antigua and Barbuda's main comme rcial ports into compliance, in 2004, with the 
International Maritime Organization's International Sh ip and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). 
(vi) Tourism 
218. Tourism is one of the key forces driving the economy, the sector has been the main 
beneficiary of FDI inflows into Antigua and Barb uda in recent years, and is the most significant 
foreign exchange earner (see Chapter I). 
219. In 2005, stayover and cruise ship visitors to Antigua and Barbuda totalled 744,803, down 
from 808,148 in 2004, however, this represented a stro ng recovery following the fall in visitor arrivals 
in 2001 and 2002.105  Stayover visitors, mainly from th e United States and United Kingdom totalled 
                                                      
101 Government of Antigua and Barbuda online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/ 
chapters/cap-16.pdf. 
102 Antigua and Barbuda Merchant Shipping Act, Ar ticle 3(1).  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/ 
acts/2006/a2006-1.pdf. 
103 Antigua and Barbuda Merchant Shipping Act, Part III, Chapter 1.  Viewed  at:  http://www.laws.gov. 
ag/acts/2006/a2006-1.pdf. 
104 Port Authority Act, Article 5.  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/act s/chapters/cap-333.pdf. 
105 Visitor arrivals totalled 510,326 in 2002, and 609,718 in 2003. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 43 
 
 
260,530;  arrivals from both of these key markets have risen since 2001.106  The number of cruise ship 
visitors reached 466,851 in 2005.  According to the ECCB, the decline in visitor arrivals in 2005, both 
for stayover and cruise passengers, ca n be partly attributed to the cl osure of one hotel, the reduction in 
operations of another, and the reallocation of ships by one cruise line to the Pacific.107 
220. The Government has been developing faciliti es for cruise ships, su ch as access to duty-free 
shopping and entertainment, to boosting the gains from cruise tourism.  During the review period a cruise ship complex has been developed at St. John’s Harbour. 
221. The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Civil Avia tion and the Environment is responsible for 
formulating and implementing tourism policy. 
222. In its GATS schedule, Antigua and Barbuda h as made commercial presence commitments for 
the construction of hotels and resorts and the manage ment of hotels, subject to the provisions of the 
Hotel Proprietors Act.
108  There are no limitations on foreign investment in hotels in Antigua and 
Barbuda;  however, under the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority Act, one director must 
reside in the country. 
223. Antigua and Barbuda offers a variety of ta x incentives to domestic and foreign property 
developers.  According to the authorities, no figures are available on the revenue forgone as a result of 
the benefits provided.  Under the Hotel Aid Act 1952109, developers may import building materials 
and equipment duty free, or drawback customs duties already paid, subject to obtaining a licence from the Cabinet.  Under Income Tax (Amendment) Ac t No. 4 of 2003, new hotels and the expansion of 
existing ones after January 2003, are eligible for re lief from corporate income tax for 7 to 25 years, 
depending on the number of new rooms created.
110 
224. In 2005, to encourage development of accommodation for the Cricket World Cup, tax 
concessions were granted for building new and renovating existing tourist accommodation.  These 
concessions included income tax holidays of up to 25 years depending on the number of rooms;  relief 
on stamp duty on transfer of land, property, and non-citizens' landholding licence fees, based on the 
number of rooms;  a percentage tax credit for financial institutions, based on the size of the 
investment;  a waiver of custom duty and consum ption tax on imports of building materials and 
equipment; and the right to tax-free repatriati on of capital, royalties, dividends, and profits.111  
Incentives may also be granted under project-specific legislation. 
225. A number of tourism-related taxes and charges ar e levied by the Government of Antigua and 
Barbuda:  a 10% travel tax payable on every ticket issued for travel, originating in Antigua and 
Barbuda by air or sea112;  an embarkation tax for each trave ller on leaving Antigua and Barbuda, by 
air or sea, with a lower rate for citizens of Anti gua and Barbuda and CARICOM (EC$35) than to all 
                                                      
106 Government of Antigua and Barbuda online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov 
_v2/government/statsandreports/statsandr eports2005/visitor_arrivals1998_2004.pdf. 
107 ECCB online information.  Viewed at:  http ://www.eccb-centralbank.o rg/PDF/AEFR%202005%20-
%20Final%20Document.pdf. 
108 WTO document GATS/SC/2, 15 April 1994;  and th e Hotel Proprietor Act.  Viewed at:  http://www. 
laws.gov.ag/acts/chapters/cap-203.pdf. 
109 Hotel Aid Act 1952 (as amended).  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts /chapters/cap-204.pdf. 
110 Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2003.  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/2003/a2003-4.pdf.  
Prior to the 2003 amendment to the Income Tax Act, income tax relief granted for the construction and development of hotels was granted under the Hotel Aid Act. 
111 The Cricket World Cup Projects (Incentives) Act, 2005.  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/ 
2005/a2005-20.pdf. 
112 Travel Tax Act 1978, revised in 1992. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 44 
 
 
other travellers (EC$50)113;  a cruise passenger tax of US$3 for every passenger carried aboard a 
cruise ship visiting Antigua and Barbuda114;  and a passenger facility charge of US$10 on passengers 
travelling by air and sea (section (iv) above).  With  the introduction of the Antigua and Barbuda Sales 
Tax (ABST) at the end of January 2007, a number of tourism taxes were repealed (Chapter III):  the 
Hotel (bed-night) tax, the hotel guest tax115, the hotel guest levy, and the restaurant and catering 
services tax.116  Under the ABST, hotels pay a lower tax rate of 10.5%, except when restaurants are 
leased to a different manager, in which case the full tax rate of 15% is payable. 
(vii) Professional services 
226. Antigua and Barbuda has undertaken GATS sp ecific commitments on for a number of 
professional services:  legal services (only for consulting in the home law of the service provider, and 
international law);  accounting, au diting and book-keeping services;  taxation services;  architectural 
services;  engineering services;  and medical servi ces.  For these services, full commitments have 
been taken for cross-border supply and consumption abroad.  Commercial presence is subject to the 
Business Act (for legal, accounting, and taxation servi ces), the Architect Act;  the Engineers Act;  and 
the Medical Act.  As in all other sectors, market  access for natural persons is subject to a labour 
market test.117 
227. Some general legislation affects the market access of foreign professional service providers.  
For example, under the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code, all foreigners wishing to work (employed 
or self-employed) in Antigua and Barbuda must have  a work permit, but this may be contingent upon 
its effect on the employment opportunities of Antigua and Barbuda citizens.118  There may also be 
other conditions attached, such as  the simultaneous employment of an Antigua and Barbuda citizen 
for the duration of the permit.  In addition, as a result of a regional initia tive to enhance the free 
movement of skilled persons, professional service provi des by virtue of being university graduates 
and CARICOM nationals119, may enter and work in Antigua and Barbuda without a work permit 
under the Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals  Act No. 3, 1997 (see Overview Report).  
Regulations to implement this Act are not in place, thereby diminishing the be nefit of this provision. 
228. A number of steps are being taken at the nationa l and CARICOM levels to give effect to the 
requirements of Chapter III of the Revised Treaty of  Chaguaramas, which relates to the right to 
establishment and to the provision of services within CARICOM.  A Draft Model Professionals Bill, developed at the CARICOM level, deals inter alia , with requirements and procedures for registration 
and licensing of certain service providers, including  professional service providers.  This is intended 
to form the framework for laws for specific professi ons to be transposed in to national legislation. 
                                                     
 
113 The Embarkation Tax Act (2002).  Viewed a t:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/ acts/2002/a2002-1.pdf. 
114 Cruise Passenger Tax Act (Act No. 7 of 1980 (Cap 122, 1992 Rev. Ed. of Laws).  Viewed at:  
http://www.laws.gov.ag/act s/chapters/cap-122.pdf. 
115 As noted by the ECCB, in 2005, the Hotel and Guest Tax had generated EC$33.5 million in 
government revenue. 
116 Government of Antigua and Barbuda online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov 
_v2/shared/printerfriendly.php. 
117 WTO document GATS/SC/2, 15 April 1994. 
118 Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code (Division F). 
119 Participating states are:  Antigua and Barbuda;  Barbados;  Belize;  Dominica;  Grenada;  Guyana;  
Jamaica;  Montserrat;  St. Kitts and Nevi s;  St. Lucia;  St. Vincent and the Grenadines;  Suriname;  and Trinidad 
and Tobago. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 45 
 
 
(a) Architectural services 
229. Only registered architects may provide architect ural services in Antigua and Barbuda.  Under 
the Architects (Registration) Act, Cap 34, architect s must be domiciled and r esident in Antigua and 
Barbuda, in order to be registered and hold a work  permit, if required.  They must satisfy the 
Government-appointed Architects Registration Board, that they have satisfactory qualifications (from 
a recognized university or school of architecture, by  being registered with a recognized body abroad, 
or through sufficient practical experience). 
230. Architects must have a minimum of three years of practical experience, of which one year in 
Antigua and Barbuda or under the direct supervisi on of an architect registered in Antigua and 
Barbuda.  However, foreign, non-resident archite cts may be registered to provide architectural 
services if they are registered in another country w ith similar registration requirements as in Antigua 
and Barbuda;  reciprocal arrangements are in place;   the architect has sufficient local knowledge of 
local conditions;  and the necessar y work permit has been obtained.120 
(b) Engineering services 
231. Under the Engineers Registration Act (Cap 153)  (as amended), engineers must be on the 
Engineers' Register in order to practice in Antig ua and Barbuda.  Applications for registration are 
made to the Government-appointed Engineers' Registration Board. 
232. In order to be registered, engineers must be resident in Antigua and Barbuda, over the age of 
21, have an engineering degree from the University  of the West Indies or other acceptable place of 
learning (or have sufficient working experience in place of a professional qualification), and have at 
least four years of experience.  At least one of these years of experience must have been acquired in 
Antigua and Barbuda, or under the supervision of an engineer regi stered in Antigua and Barbuda.121 
233. Non-residents may be registered to provide engineering services if they are registered in 
another country with similar regi stration requirements; if reciprocal arrangements exist between the 
Registration Boards of the two countries;  and if a work permit has been obtained.  In addition, non-
resident engineering consulting specialists with a minimum of ten years of experience and with 
qualifications at least equal to those required fo r an engineer in Antigua and Barbuda may be 
registered, subject to obtaining the necessary work pe rmit.  Consulting specialists must be employed 
by an employer in Antigua and Barbuda, and only for a limited period.122 
(c) Legal services 
234. Antigua and Barbuda is a contracting party to the CARICOM Agreement Establishing the 
Council of Legal Education (see Overview Report). 
235. Under the Legal Profession Act (No. 9, 1997)123, only citizens of Antigua and Barbuda or of 
signatories to the Agreement Establis hing the Council of Legal Education124, may practice law in 
                                                      
120 Architects (Registration) Act (Cap 34).  View ed at:  http://www.laws.go v.ag/acts/chapters/cap-
34.pdf. 
121 Engineers (Registration) (Amendment) Act (1993).   Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/1993/ 
a1993-18.pdf. 
122 Engineers (Registration) Act (Cap 153).  View ed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/chapters/cap-
153.pdf. 
123 Legal Profession Act (1997).  Viewed at:  http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/1997/a1997-9.pdf. WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 46 
 
 
Antigua and Barbuda.  They require a Legal Educat ion Certificate from a Council for Legal Education 
law school.125  Lawyers from other countries may be eligible  to practice domestic law in Antigua and 
Barbuda if reciprocal conditions exist for An tigua and Barbuda citizens in their country. 
(viii) Other offshore services 
236. Offshore business companies must be incor porated under the International Business 
Corporations (IBC) Act (as amended), and are regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory 
Commission.  These companies enjoy the same tax exemptions as offshore financial services 
companies (see above), with the exception of an in come tax of 3% introduced in 2001, which they 
must pay.126  They must have a registered office and a registered agent in Antigua and Barbuda.  
Information was not available on the total num ber of non-financial o ffshore business companies 
registered in Antigua and Barbuda, nor on the forms of business they are engaged in. 
237. At May 2007, there were 44 licences issued for the operation of interactive wagering and/or 
gaming in Antigua and Barbuda, for 25 such companies.  Gaming companies contributed 
US$2.5 million in revenue for the FSRC in 2006.  Antigua and Barbuda has been involved, as a 
complainant, in a WTO dispute settlement case ag ainst the United States regarding U.S. measures 
affecting the cross-border supply of gambling and betting services (Chapter II(i)).  According to the 
authorities, gaming companies must pay a security deposit of US$100,000:  th is deposit requirement 
was introduced in April 2007, to en ter into effect after six months. 
                                                                                                                                                                     
124 These countries are:  Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados , Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, 
Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St . Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands. 
125 CARICOM Agreement Establishing the Council of  Legal Education.  Viewed at:  http://www. 
caricom.org/jsp/secretariat/legal_instruments/agreement_cle.jsp?menu=secretariat. 
126 This tax was introduced by The Internationa l Business Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2001. Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 47 
 
 
REFERENCES 
 
Caribbean Development Bank (2006), Annual Economic Review 2005 .  Viewed at: 
http://www.caribank.org/Publications.nsf/ERe view2005_antiguabarbuda/$ File/ECReview2005_antig
uabarbuda.pdf?OpenElement. 
 Caribbean Development Bank (2007), Annual Economic Review 2006.  Viewed at: 
http://www.caribank.org/AnReport.nsf/AER06- Ant/$File/AER2006_Antigua .pdf?OpenElement. 
 
ECCB (2006), Annual Economic and Financial Report 2005.   Viewed at:  http://www.eccb-
centralbank.org/PDF/AEFR%202005%20-%20Final%20Document.pdf.  ECCB (2007), Annual Economic and Financial Report 2006 .  Viewed at:  http://www.eccb-
centralbank.org/PDF/AEFR%202006%20-%20Final%20Document.pdf.  
Government of Antigua  and Barbuda (2006), National Medium Term Pr iority Framework for FAO 
Assistance-Antigua and Barbuda, 2006,  "Summary".  Viewed at:  http://www. aricom.org/jsp/ 
community/donor_conference_agriculture/agri_profile_antigua_barbuda.jsp.  IMF (2006), Antigua and Barbuda:  2005 Article IV Cons ultation-Staff Report; Staff Statement;  
Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Authorities of 
Antigua and Barbuda,  IMF Country Report No. 06/145, 1 April, Washington D.C. 
 IICA (2006), National Agenda for Cooperation–Antigua and Barbuda 2006.  Viewed at: 
http://www.iica.int/documentos/ agendas/antiguaandbarbuda.pdf.  
OECD (2006), OECD Investment Policy Reviews: Caribbean Rim : Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada 
and St. Lucia , Paris. 
 UNCTAD (2006), World Investment Report 2006, FDI from  Developing and Transition Economies:  
Implications for Development .  Viewed at:  http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/wir2006_en.pdf. 
 
Vuletin, Guillermo (2007), "The Size of th e Informal Economy in the Caribbean", Eastern Caribbean 
Currency Union: Selected Issues , IMF Country Report No. 07/97, March.  Viewed at:  
http://www.imf.org/external/ pubs/ft/scr/2007/cr0797.pdf. 
 
World Bank (2007), Antigua and Barbuda at a Glance .  Viewed at.  http://siteresources.worldbank. 
org/INTOECS/Resources/Antigua.AAG.pdf. 
  
APPENDIX TABLES Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 51 
 
 
Table AI.1 
Merchandise exports and re-expor ts by group of products, 2000-06 
(US$ million and per cent) 
Description 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
 (US$ million) 
Total 23 .. .. .. .. 121 .. 
 (% of total) 
Total primary products 10.3 .. .. .. .. 71.1 .. 
   Agriculture 6.8 .. .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
      Food 5.4 .. .. .. .. 1.1 .. 
         1124 Spirits 2.1 .. .. .. .. 0.4 .. 
         0342 Fish, frozen (excluding fillets and minced fish) 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
         1110 Non-alcoholic beverage, n.e.s. 0.7 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
         0752 Spices (except pepper and pimento) 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
      Agricultural raw material 1.4 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
   Mining 3.5 .. .. .. .. 69.9 .. 
      Ores and other minerals 1.0 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
         2734 Pebbles, gravel, etc. fo r concrete aggregates 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
      Non-ferrous metals 0.1 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
      Fuels 2.4 .. .. .. .. 69.9 .. 
         3341 Motor gasolene, light oil 0.4 .. .. .. .. 16.8 .. 
         3342 Kerosene, medium oils (not including gas oils) 0.0 .. .. .. .. 13.5 .. 
Manufactures 89.6 .. .. .. .. 28.9 .. 
   Iron and steel 3.4 .. .. .. .. 1.5 .. 
         6743 Flat-rolled iron/steel products , painted/varnished, etc. 0.8 .. .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
   Chemicals 6.2 .. .. .. .. 1.0 .. 
         5334 Paints and varnishes; pl astics in solution; etc. 4.1 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
         5429 Medicaments, n.e.s. 0.4 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
   Other semi-manufactures 4.1 .. .. .. .. 1.4 .. 
         6942 Screws, bolts, nuts and simila r articles of iron or steel 0.3 .. .. .. .. 0.3 .. 
         6931 Stranded wire/ropes, etc., iron/steel, etc., not electrically 
          insulated 0.1 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
         6996 Articles iron or steel, n.e.s. 0.3 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
   Machinery and transport equipment 62.7 .. .. .. .. 20.0 .. 
      Power generating machines 2.0 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
      Other non-electrical machinery 8.7 .. .. .. .. 1.8 .. 
         7449 Parts for machinery of 744.11 to .13, .2, .4, .7 and .8 0.4 .. .. .. .. 0.3 .. 
         7232 Mechanical shovels, etc., self-propelled 0.8 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
         7431 Air/vacuum pumps/compressors, etc. with fan 0.3 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
         Agricultural machinery and tractors 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
      Office machines & telecommunication equipment 39.3 .. .. .. .. 5.7 .. 
         7648 Telecommunications equipment, n.e.s. 0.7 .. .. .. .. 4.7 .. 
         7599 Parts and accessories of  751.1, 751.2, 751.9 and 752 1.8 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
         7642 Microphones and stands thereof; loudspeakers 2.2 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
      Other electrical machines 1.7 .. .. .. .. 0.4 .. 
         7784 Electro-mechanical hand tools and parts 0.2 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
         7781 Batteries and electric accumulators, and parts 0.1 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
      Automotive products 5.0 .. .. .. .. 0.7 .. 
         7812 Motor vehicles for the transport of persons, n.e.s. 1.6 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
         7821 Goods vehicles 2.1 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
      Other transport equipment 6.1 .. .. .. .. 11.1 .. 
         7931 Yachts and other pl easure/sports/vessels 1.3 .. .. .. .. 10.5 .. 
         7131 Aircraft internal combus tion piston engines and parts 1.0 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
         7929 Parts, n.e.s. (excl. tyres, engines, electrical parts) of 792 1.4 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
   Textiles 3.7 .. .. .. .. 1.7 .. 
   Clothing 0.8 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
   Other consumer goods 8.6 .. .. .. .. 3.2 .. 
         8928 Printed matter, n.e.s. 0.1 .. .. .. .. 1.5 .. 
         8741 Compasses; other navigational instruments; surveying 
         instruments 0.1 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
 
.. Not available.  
Source : UNSD, Comtrade data base (SITC Rev.3). WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 52 
 
 
Table AI.2 
Merchandise imports by group of products, 2000-06 
(US$ million and per cent) 
Description 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
  (US$ million) 
Total 338 .. .. .. .. 525 .. 
  (% of total) 
Total primary products 41.1 .. .. .. .. 54.2 .. 
   Agriculture 24.1 .. .. .. .. 19.3 .. 
      Food 21.7 .. .. .. .. 17.6 .. 
         1110 Non-alcoholic beverage, n.e.s. 2.0 .. .. .. .. 1.8 .. 
         0123 Poultry, meat and offal 1.6 .. .. .. .. 1.5 .. 
         0989 Food preparations, n.e.s. 1.8 .. .. .. .. 1.0 .. 
         1121 Wine of fresh grapes (including fortified wine) 0.7 .. .. .. .. 0.8 .. 
         1124 Spirits 0.6 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
         0545 Other fresh or chilled vegetables 0.7 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
      Agricultural raw material 2.4 .. .. .. .. 1.7 .. 
         2482 Wood of coniferous, sawn of a thickness > 6 mm 1.1 .. .. .. .. 0.8 .. 
         2483 Wood, coniferous (incl. fo r parquet flooring) shaped 0.5 .. .. .. .. 0.5 .. 
   Mining 17.1 .. .. .. .. 34.9 .. 
      Ores and other minerals 0.5 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
      Non-ferrous metals 0.3 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
      Fuels 16.3 .. .. .. .. 34.6 .. 
         3342 Kerosene, medium oils (not including gas oils) 0.4 .. .. .. .. 9.3 .. 
         3341 Motor gasolene, light oil 11.9 .. .. .. .. 6.5 .. 
Manufactures 58.7 .. .. .. .. 45.8 .. 
   Iron and steel 1.2 .. .. .. .. 1.4 .. 
   Chemicals 6.6 .. .. .. .. 5.0 .. 
         5429 Medicaments, n.e.s. 1.3 .. .. .. .. 0.7 .. 
         5542 Surface-active agen ts (excl. soap) 0.9 .. .. .. .. 0.7 .. 
   Other semi-manufactures 10.4 .. .. .. .. 8.0 .. 
         6343 Plywood of sheets <6 mm thickness 0.8 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
         6429 Articles of paper pulp, paper, etc., n.e.s. 0.6 .. .. .. .. 0.5 .. 
         6911 Iron or steel structures, tubes a nd the like, for use in structures 0.4 .. .. .. .. 0.5 .. 
         6624 Non-refractory brick,  tiles, pipes, etc. 0.5 .. .. .. .. 0.5 .. 
   Machinery and transport equipment 27.7 .. .. .. .. 21.1 .. 
      Power generating machines 2.2 .. .. .. .. 1.0 .. 
      Other non-electrical machinery 3.8 .. .. .. .. 3.8 .. 
         7232 Mechanical shovels, etc., self-propelled 0.3 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
         7415 Air conditioning machines, and parts 0.4 .. .. .. .. 0.4 .. 
         Agricultural machinery and tractors 0.2 .. .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
      Office machines & telecommunication equipment 9.5 .. .. .. .. 3.9 .. 
         7643 Radio or television transmission apparatus 1.2 .. .. .. .. 0.8 .. 
         7649 Parts and accessories for apparatus of division 76 0.4 .. .. .. .. 0.5 .. 
      Other electrical machines 3.5 .. .. .. .. 2.3 .. 
         7731 Insulated wire, cable etc.; optical fibre cables 0.6 .. .. .. .. 0.4 .. 
         7752 Household fridges and freezers 0.3 .. .. .. .. 0.3 .. 
         7781 Batteries and electric accumulators, and parts 0.3 .. .. .. .. 0.3 .. 
      Automotive products 5.5 .. .. .. .. 5.3 .. 
         7812 Motor vehicles for the transport of persons, n.e.s. 3.9 .. .. .. .. 3.8 .. 
      Other transport equipment 3.1 .. .. .. .. 4.7 .. 
         7931 Yachts and other pl easure/sports/vessels 0.4 .. .. .. .. 4.0 .. 
   Textiles 1.7 .. .. .. .. 1.5 .. 
   Clothing 1.8 .. .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
   Other consumer goods 9.4 .. .. .. .. 7.7 .. 
         8215 Furniture, n.e.s. of wood 0.8 .. .. .. .. 0.9 .. 
         8921 Printed books, pamphlets, maps, etc. (excl. ad. material) 0.7 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
         8211 Seats (excl. of 872.4), and parts 0.4 .. .. .. .. 0.4 .. 
 
.. Not available. 
 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3). Antigua and Barbuda WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 
 Page 53 
 
 
Table AI.3 
Merchandise exports and re-exports by trading partner, 2000-06 
(US$ million and per cent) 
Description 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
  (US$ million) 
Total 23 .. .. .. .. 121 .. 
 (% of total) 
  America 16.8 .. .. .. .. 82.4 .. 
    United States 4.3 .. .. .. .. 9.3 .. 
    Other America 12.5 .. .. .. .. 73.1 .. 
      Canada 0.4 .. .. .. .. 0.3 .. 
      Netherlands Antilles 1.7 .. .. .. .. 28.2 .. 
      St. Kitts and Nevis 1.6 .. .. .. .. 12.4 .. 
      Anguilla 0.2 .. .. .. .. 8.5 .. 
      British Virgin Islands 0.1 .. .. .. .. 8.1 .. 
      Dominica 0.7 .. .. .. .. 4.6 .. 
      Jamaica 0.1 .. .. .. .. 4.6 .. 
      Montserrat 1.5 .. .. .. .. 1.8 .. 
      Trinidad and Tobago 0.4 .. .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
  Europe 5.4 .. .. .. .. 28.0 .. 
    EC(25) 5.4 .. .. .. .. 28.0 .. 
      United Kingdom 4.4 .. .. .. .. 20.2 .. 
      The Netherlands 0.0 .. .. .. .. 3.0 .. 
      France 0.6 .. .. .. .. 2.7 .. 
      Italy 0.1 .. .. .. .. 1.8 .. 
    EFTA 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
    Other Europe 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
  Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
  Africa 0.0 .. .. .. .. 10.1 .. 
      Sierra Leone 0.0 .. .. .. .. 7.7 .. 
      Senegal 0.0 .. .. .. .. 1.8 .. 
      Mauritania 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
  Middle East 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
  Asia 0.1 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
    China 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
    Japan 0.1 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
    Six East Asian traders 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
    Other Asia 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
  Other 0.3 .. .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
Memorandum:  
    EC(15)       .. 
      United Kingdom 4.4 .. .. .. .. 20.2 .. 
      The Netherlands 0.0 .. .. .. .. 3.0 .. 
      France 0.6 .. .. .. .. 2.7 .. 
      Italy 0.1 .. .. .. .. 1.8 .. 
    ASEAN 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
    APEC 4.8 .. .. .. .. 9.8 .. 
       United States 4.3 .. .. .. .. 9.3 .. 
       Canada 0.4 .. .. .. .. 0.3 .. 
       Mexico 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
    MERCOSUR 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
      Brazil 0.0 .. .. .. .. 0.1  
 
.. Not available. 
 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3). WT/TPR/S/190/ATG/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 54 
 
 
Table AI.4 
Merchandise imports by trading partner, 2000-06 
(US$ million and per cent) 
Description 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006  
  (US$ million) 
Total 338  .. .. .. 525 ..  
  (% of total) 
  America 82.2  .. .. .. 81.3 ..  
    United States 49.3  .. .. .. 48.9 .. 
    Other America 32.9  .. .. .. 32.4 .. 
      Canada 3.7  .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
      Trinidad and Tobago 6.4  .. .. .. 10.9 .. 
      Netherlands Antilles 11.9  .. .. .. 10.2 .. 
      Bahamas 0.1  .. .. .. 2.7 .. 
      Barbados 1.6  .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
      Brazil 0.3  .. .. .. 0.8 .. 
      Jamaica 0.8  .. .. .. 0.7 .. 
      Dominica 0.9  .. .. .. 0.6 .. 
  Europe 11.6  .. .. .. 12.1 .. 
    EC(25) 11.1  .. .. .. 11.6 .. 
      United Kingdom 7.4  .. .. .. 6.8 .. 
      Italy 0.5  .. .. .. 2.0 .. 
      France 0.9  .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
      Germany 0.8  .. .. .. 0.5 .. 
    EFTA 0.4  .. .. .. 0.4 .. 
    Other Europe 0.0  .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
  Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 0.0  .. .. .. 0.0 .. 
  Africa 0.6  .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
      Swaziland 0.0  .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
  Middle East 0.0  .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
  Asia 5.3  .. .. .. 6.3 .. 
    China 0.2  .. .. .. 0.9 .. 
    Japan 3.1  .. .. .. 2.8 .. 
    Six East Asian traders 1.1  .. .. .. 0.9 .. 
      Korea, Rep. of 0.7  .. .. .. 0.4 .. 
      Thailand 0.1  .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
    Other Asia 0.8  .. .. .. 1.7 .. 
      New Zealand 0.0  .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
  Other 0.2  .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
      Areas n.e.s. 0.2  .. .. .. 0.1 .. 
Memorandum:  
    EC(15) 11.1  .. .. .. 11.6 .. 
    ASEAN 0.3  .. .. .. 0.5 ... 
       Thailand 0.1  .. .. .. 0.2 .. 
    APEC 58.3  .. .. .. 56.7 .. 
       United States 49.3  .. .. .. 48.9 .. 
       Japan 3.1  .. .. .. 2.8 .. 
       New Zealand 0.0  .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
       Canada 3.7  .. .. .. 1.2 .. 
       China 0.2  .. .. .. 0.9 .. 
    MERCOSUR 0.3  .. .. .. 0.9 .. 
      Brazil 0.3  .. .. .. 0.8 .. 
 
.. Not available. 
 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3). 
 
__________