Customs Revenue – By Editorial Staff Writer
Customs Revenue Climbs 276
The Antigua and Barbuda Customs and Excise Division collected EC$276.85 million during the first six months of 2026, surpassing the EC$255.37 million recorded over the same period last year.
The increase of roughly EC$21.5 million, about 8.4 percent, was reported to Cabinet by Ministry of Finance officials. June collections alone totalled EC$35.97 million.
Government credited stronger enforcement, improved compliance and increased economic activity for the higher intake. Officials also pointed to continued import demand, particularly as businesses restock goods and construction activity remains active.
The latest result continues a steady rise in Customs collections over recent years. Revenue moved from EC$392 million in 2022 to EC$402 million in 2023, then climbed to EC$502 million in 2024 and EC$573 million in 2025.
The division had already reported growth during 2025, collecting EC$176 million in the first four months of that year, a 9.3 percent increase over the comparable 2024 period.
Customs revenue is closely tied to Antigua and Barbuda’s dependence on imported goods. The country imports a wide range of food, household items, machinery, vehicles and building materials, meaning stronger imports can boost government collections while also reflecting the cost of living and the country’s limited domestic production base.
Government has repeatedly said it wants to reduce that dependence through foodsecurity and import-substitution programmes, including support for farmers and expanded local production.
But Customs remains one of the state’s major revenue-generating agencies, collecting duties, taxes and other charges on goods entering the country. The division’s official mandate includes administering duties and taxes linked to air and sea cargo, vehicle imports and other imports.
