Customs Revenue Climbs to Record EC$573M as Collections Continue Upward Trend

Antigua and Barbuda’s Customs and Excise Division has recorded four consecutive years of revenue growth, with collections reaching a record EC$573 million in 2025 and continuing to outpace last year’s performance during the first half of 2026, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced Thursday.

Speaking during the weekly post-Cabinet briefing, Merchant said Cabinet received the government’s second-quarter fiscal performance report from senior officials within the Ministry of Finance, including the Financial Secretary, Budget Director, Deputy Financial Secretary, Treasury Department officials and the Comptroller of Customs. The presentation outlined sustained improvements in customs revenue collections, which officials attributed to stronger compliance, enhanced enforcement measures and increased economic activity.

Merchant said annual customs revenue has increased steadily over the past four years.

According to figures presented to Cabinet, customs collections rose from EC$392 million in 2022 to EC$402 million in 2023, representing a five percent increase. Revenue then climbed sharply to EC$502 million in 2024, a 25 percent jump, before reaching EC$573 million in 2025, an additional 14 percent increase.

The upward trend has continued this year.

Merchant said the Customs and Excise Division collected EC$276.85 million between January and June 2026, exceeding the EC$255.37 million collected during the corresponding period in 2025.

He added that customs revenue for the month of June alone totaled EC$35.97 million, contributing significantly to the division’s year-to-date performance.

Merchant said Cabinet commended the Comptroller of Customs and Excise and members of the department for what ministers described as their continued commitment to strengthening revenue administration and improving compliance.

He said ministers were advised that sustained improvements in customs collections have strengthened the government’s ability to meet its financial obligations while maintaining fiscal discipline.

“The sustained improvement in customs collection has strengthened the government’s ability to meet its financial obligations while maintaining fiscal discipline and supporting national development priorities,” Merchant said in summarizing the Cabinet discussions.

The customs update formed part of a broader fiscal review presented to Cabinet that also examined government expenditure, external debt reduction and fuel pricing.

Merchant said finance officials reported that improved revenue performance has helped provide the government with greater fiscal flexibility as it continues financing major infrastructure projects, healthcare, education and other public services while pursuing prudent fiscal management.

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