Import Duties Compared: Curaçao vs Aruba vs Bonaire
Planning to import a vehicle to the ABC islands? The island you choose significantly impacts your total cost. Here's a detailed comparison.
Curaçao
Curaçao applies the highest import duties in the ABC islands:
- Import Duty: 27% on CIF value
- Sales Tax (OB): 9% on CIF + duty
- Effective Rate: ~38.4% total
Aruba
Aruba's rates are slightly lower:
- Import Duty: 28% on CIF value
- BBO Tax: 3% on CIF + duty
- Effective Rate: ~31.8% total
Bonaire
As a BES island (special municipality of the Netherlands), Bonaire has significantly lower rates:
- Import Duty: 8% on CIF value
- ABB Tax: 8% on CIF + duty
- Effective Rate: ~16.6% total
Real Numbers
For a €50,000 vehicle (CIF €52,000):
| Island | Total Duties | Landed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | €19,968 | €71,968 |
| Aruba | €16,536 | €68,536 |
| Bonaire | €8,632 | €60,632 |
Bonaire saves you over €11,000 compared to Curaçao on the same vehicle.
The Catch
Bonaire's lower duties come with a smaller market and less infrastructure. If you're based in Curaçao, importing to Bonaire and inter-island shipping adds complexity and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ABC island has the lowest import duties?
Bonaire has significantly lower import duties (8% + 8% ABB) compared to Curaçao (27% + 9%) and Aruba (28% + 3%). This can mean savings of €10,000+ on a €50,000 vehicle.
Why are Bonaire's duties lower?
Bonaire is a BES island (special municipality of the Netherlands) with different tax structures than the autonomous countries of Curaçao and Aruba.
