Car Import Duties: Curaçao vs Aruba vs Bonaire (2026)
Each island has its own rate structure. The difference on a single vehicle can run into five figures.
If you are importing a vehicle to the ABC islands, the single biggest cost after the car itself is government duties and taxes. The rates vary significantly between Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire,and the difference on a single vehicle can be over ten thousand dollars.
This guide breaks down the exact rates for 2026, shows real calculations, and explains how CIF value works so you can estimate your total landed cost before committing.
How import duties are calculated (CIF explained)
All three islands calculate duties on the CIF value of the vehicle. CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight:
- Cost: the purchase price of the car
- Insurance: marine transit insurance for the shipment
- Freight: the shipping cost from origin port to the island
This combined number is what customs uses as the taxable base. Not just the car price,the shipping and insurance get taxed too. That is an important detail people miss when estimating costs.
Want to see this in action? Our import calculator computes the full CIF breakdown including duty and tax for any vehicle price.
2026 duty rates by island
| Island | Import Duty | Sales Tax | Effective Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | 27% | 9% OB | ~38.4% |
| Aruba | 22% | 7% BBO | ~30.5% |
| Bonaire | 0% | 25% ABB | ~25.0% |
The effective total is higher than simply adding the two percentages because the sales tax is calculated on CIF plus the import duty, not just the CIF alone. This compounding effect adds a few extra percentage points.
Real example: $50,000 car from the US
Take a vehicle purchased for $50,000 in the United States. Add $2,500 for shipping and $575 for marine insurance. That gives a CIF value of $53,075.
| Island | Import Duty | Sales Tax | Total Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | $14,330 | $6,066 | $20,396 |
| Aruba | $11,677 | $4,533 | $16,210 |
| Bonaire | $0 | $13,269 | $13,269 |
Same car, same shipping route. Bonaire saves you roughly $7,100 compared to Curaçao. Aruba sits in the middle at a comparable total but with a lower duty rate and lower turnover tax.
Real example: €45,000 car from Europe
Now take a €45,000 vehicle shipped from the Netherlands. Shipping runs about €3,200, insurance about €525. CIF value: €48,725.
| Island | Import Duty | Sales Tax | Total Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | €13,156 | €5,569 | €18,725 |
| Aruba | €10,720 | €4,161 | €14,881 |
| Bonaire | €0 | €12,181 | €12,181 |
European imports follow the same pattern. Bonaire is substantially cheaper. The origin country does not change the duty rate,only the CIF value matters.
Why is Bonaire cheaper?
Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands (a BES island), not an autonomous country like Curaçao and Aruba. It operates under a different tax system with no import duties at all. The ABB (Algemene Bestedingsbelasting) of 25% on passenger cars is the only tax applied, and it replaced the older sales tax structure after the constitutional changes of 2010. Electric vehicles qualify for 0% ABB.
This makes Bonaire the most affordable of the three islands for vehicle imports. If you live on Bonaire or are considering relocating, the savings on a single vehicle purchase can be substantial.
Curaçao import duty: what you need to know
Curaçao charges the highest combined rate of the three islands. The 27% import duty is applied to the CIF value, and then the 9% OB (Omzetbelasting, or sales tax) is applied on top of both the CIF and the duty. This compounding effect pushes the real tax burden close to 38.4%.
Despite the higher duties, Curaçao has the most developed infrastructure for importing: more frequent shipping schedules, more customs brokers, and a larger pool of experienced handlers. The process is well-established and relatively predictable.
Read our step-by-step import guide for Curaçao for the full process breakdown.
Aruba import duty: the middle ground
Aruba sits between the other two islands. Its 22% import duty is lower than Curaçao, and the BBO/BAVP/BAZV turnover tax totals 7%, also lower. The combined effective rate is about 30.5% on CIF, saving you roughly $4,200 compared to Curaçao on a $50,000 car. Note that Aruba duty rates vary by vehicle type and fuel. Contact us for your specific vehicle.
How to calculate your specific cost
Every vehicle is different. The purchase price, origin country, vehicle size (which affects shipping cost), and insurance value all factor into your CIF. Use our free import calculator to get an instant estimate for any vehicle price, with a full breakdown of every cost component.
Or browse our current inventory where every vehicle already shows the all-in delivered price,no hidden fees, no surprises.
Things to keep in mind
These rates apply to the CIF value as declared to customs. Undervaluing the vehicle on paper is fraud and customs authorities are experienced at spotting it. Declared values that do not match market prices will be adjusted, and penalties apply.
Shipping costs vary by origin. US shipments from Florida are typically cheaper than European shipments. Bonaire has fewer direct sailings than Curaçao, which can add transit time and occasionally cost.
You will need a valid residency permit (Sedula for Curaçao) to import a vehicle for personal use. Tourists cannot import vehicles.
Rates are subject to change. The numbers above are current as of early 2026. Always verify with a licensed customs broker before committing to a purchase.