TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 20-124 

________________________________________________________________________ 

DEFENSE 

Status of Forces 

Agreement Between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 

Signed at Washington March 12, 2014 

Entered into force January 24, 2020 
 

 

NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966 

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)— 

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued 

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent 

evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than 

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and 

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime 

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the 

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof 

or authentication thereof.” 
AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN 

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

AND 

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 

REGARDING 

THESTATUSOFUNITEDSTATESFORCES 

IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 

The United States of America (hereinafter "the United States") and Antigua and Barbuda, 

hereinafter collectively referred to as "the Parties" and singularly as a "Party," 

recognizing the respective constitutional authorities of both Parties, agree as follows: 

ARTICLE I 

Definitions 

1. "United States personnel" means members of the United States Armed Forces and 

civilian employees of the United States Department of Defense. 

2. "United States contractors" means non-Antigua and Barbuda companies and firms, 

and their employees who are not nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, under contract to the 

United States Department of Defense. 

ARTICLE II 

Scope 

This Agreement shall apply with regard to the temporary presence of United States 

personnel and United States contractors in Antigua and Barbuda in connection with 

activities as mutually agreed, including, for example, ship visits, training, exercises, 

humanitarian activities, and other activities as mutually agreed. 
ARTICLE III 

Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities 

United States personnel shall be accorded the privileges, exemptions, and immunities 

equivalent to those specified for members of the administrative and technical staff of a 

diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 

1961. 

ARTICLE IV 

Entry, Exit, and Travel Documentation 

United States personnel may enter and exit Antigua and Barbuda with United States 

identification and with collective movement or individual travel orders. 

ARTICLEV 

Licenses and Permits 

1. Antigua and Barbuda shall accept as valid all professional licenses issued by the 

United States, its political subdivisions, or States thereof to United States personnel for 

the provision of services to authorized personnel. 

2. Antigua and Barbuda authorities shall accept as valid, without a driving test or fee, 

driving licenses or permits issued by the appropriate United States authorities to United 

States personnel for the operation of vehicles. 

ARTICLE VI 

Uniforms and Weapons 

United States personnel shall be authorized to wear uniforms while performing official 

duties and to carry arms while on duty if authorized to do so by their orders. In issuing 

such orders, the United States Armed Forces authorities intend to consult with the 

appropriate authorities of Antigua and Barbuda. 

ARTICLE VII 

Exercise of Jurisdiction 

Antigua and Barbuda recognizes the particular importance of disciplinary control by 

United States Armed Forces authorities over United States personnel and, therefore, 

authorizes the United States to exercise criminal jurisdiction over United States personnel 

while in Antigua and Barbuda. The competent authorities of the United States Armed 

Forces shall inform the appropriate authorities of Antigua and Barbuda of the disposition 

of cases where the United States exercises jurisdiction. 

2 
ARTICLE VIII 

Taxation 

1. The United States Department of Defense and United States personnel shall not be 

liable to pay any tax or similar charge assessed within Antigua and Barbuda. 

2. The United States Department of Defense and United States personnel may import 

into, export out of, and use in Antigua and Barbuda any personal property, equipment, 

supplies, materiel, technology, training, or services in connection with activities under 

this Agreement. Such importation, exportation, and use shall be exempt from any 

inspection, license, other restrictions, customs duties, taxes, or any other charges assessed 

within Antigua and Barbuda. Such importation and exportation shall be coordinated, as 

appropriate, with the competent authorities of Antigua and Barbuda. 

ARTICLE IX 

Security 

The Parties shall cooperate to take such measures as may be necessary to ensure the 

security and protection of United States personnel, property, equipment, records, and 

official information in Antigua and Barbuda. 

ARTICLEX 

Vessels, Vehicles, and Aircraft 

1. Vessels and vehicles operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States 

Department of Defense may enter, exit, and move freely within the territory of Antigua 

and Barbuda, and such vehicles (whether self-propelled or towed) shall not be subject to 

the payment of overland transit tolls. 

2. Ve~sels and aircraft owned or operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United 

States Department of Defense shall not be subject to the payment of landing, parking, or 

port fees, pilotage charges, lighterage, and harbor dues at facilities owned and operated 

by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. 

3. Aircraft owned or operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States 

Department of Defense shall not be subject to payment of navigation, overflight, terminal 

or similar charges when in the territory of Antigua and Barbuda. 

4. The Unite.d States Department of Defense shall pay reasonable charges for services 

requested and received at rates no less favorable than those paid by the Antigua and 

Barbuda Defence Force. 

3 
5. Aircraft and vessels of the United States Government shall be free from boarding and 

inspection. 

ARTICLE XI 

Contracting and Contractors 

1. The United States Department of Defense may contract for any materiel, supplies, 

equipment, and services (including construction) to be furnished or undertaken in 

Antigua and Barbuda without restriction as to choice of contractor, supplier, or person 

who provides such materiel, supplies, equipment or services. Such contracts shall be 

solicited, awarded, and administered in accordance with the laws and regulations of the 

United States. 

2. Acquisition of articles and services in Antigua and Barbuda by or on behalf of the 

United States Department of Defense in connection with activities under this Agreement 

shall not be subject to any taxes or similar charges in Antigua and Barbuda. 

3. United States contractors shall not be liable to pay any tax or similar charge assessed 

within Antigua and Barbuda in connection with activities under this Agreement. Such 

contractors may import into, export out of, and use in Antigua and Barbuda any personal 

property, equipment, supplies, materiel, technology, training, or services in fulfillment of 

contracts with the United States Department of Defense in connection with activities 

under this Agreement. Such importation, exportation, and use shall be exempt from any 

license, other restrictions; customs duties, taxes, or any other charges assessed within 

Antigua and Barbuda. The property, equipment, supplies, materiel, and technology 

imported by United States contractors under this Agreement shall not ordinarily be 

disposed of in Antigua and Barbuda, except as authorized by the appropriate authorities 

of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. 

4. United States contractors shall be granted the same treatment as United States 

personnel with respect to professional and drivers' licenses. · 

ARTICLE XII 

Movement and Transportation 

United States personnel shall have freedom of movement and access to and use of 

mutually agreed transportation, storage, training, and other facilities required in 

connection with activities under this Agreement. 

4 
ARTICLE XIII 

Telecommunications 

Antigua and Barbuda recognizes that it may be necessary for the United States Armed 

Forces to use the radio spectrum. The United States Department of Defense shall be 

allowed to operate its own telecommunication systems (as telecommunication is defined 

in the 1992 Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union). 

This shall include the right to utilize such means and services as required to ensure full 

ability to operate telecommunication systems, and the right to use all necessary radio 

spectrum for this purpose. Use of the radio spectrum shall be free of cost to the United 

States. 

ARTICLE XIV 

Claims 

1. The Parties waive any and all claims (other than contractual claims) against each other 

for damage to, loss of, or destruction of each other's property or injury to or death of 

personnel of either Party's armed forces or their civilian personnel arising out of the 

performance of their official duties in connection with activities under this Agreement. 

2. Claims by third parties for damages or loss caused by United States personnel shall be 

resolved by the United States Government in accordance with United States laws and 

regulations. Except where settlement is accepted in full satisfaction, a claimant is not 

precluded from pursuing such remedies against United States personnel as local law 

provides, subject to Article III of this Agreement. 

ARTICLE XV 

Implementing arrangements 

The Parties, or their designated representatives, may enter into implementing 

arrangements to carry out the provisions of this Agreement. 

ARTICLE XVI 

Entry into force, amendment, and duration 

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last note exchanged between 

the Parties, through diplomatic channels, indicating that their respective internal 

requirements for entry into force of the Agreement have been satisfied. 

2. This Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the Parties through 

exchange of diplomatic notes. 

5 
3. This Agreement shall continue in force unless terminated by either Party on at least 

one year's written notice, through diplomatic channels, to the other Party. 

4. Termination ofthis Agreement shall not affect the programs and activities already in 

progress under this Agreement, unless agreed otherwise by the Parties. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their 

respective Governments, have signed this Agreement. 

DONE at Washington, in duplicate, this 12th day of March, 2014. 

FOR THE UNITED STATES OF FOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: 

AMERICA: 

(LP!C 

6