weighted score 3.1 · nine dimensions
Country Risk Profile
Samoa
Sourcing risk, regulatory exposure and audit intelligence for Samoa-origin supply chains.
Forced & child labour
2
Low forced labour risk. Core ILO conventions ratified. Child labour limited to subsistence agriculture, not present in export sectors.
Worker rights & FOA
3
Freedom of association protected. Trade unions exist. Small formal economy limits union scope. Labour relations generally stable.
OHS & audit transparency
3
Limited industrial base reduces OHS risk exposure. Audit infrastructure minimal but government transparency is reasonable for a small island state.
Food & product safety
3
Agricultural exports are simple commodities (coconut, taro, fish). No major food safety incidents. Export volumes very small.
Environmental & regulatory
3
Climate change is the primary environmental concern. No EUDR-linked commodity exports. Marine resource management improving. Small ecological footprint from industry.
Governance & anti-corruption
3
Stable parliamentary democracy. No CPI score — estimated governance 3 by analogy with Pacific peers. Peaceful government transitions. Rule of law functional.
Tariff & preferential access
4
PACER Plus provides preferential access to Australia and New Zealand. EU preferences available. But extremely limited export base and remote geography constrain practical trade access.
Non-tariff barriers
3
Minimal non-tariff barriers for the limited exports that exist. Remote geography is the primary trade constraint rather than regulatory barriers.
Supply chain traceability
4
Small-scale agricultural supply chains are relatively simple. Coconut and taro production traceable at village level. Fish exports require catch documentation.
Labour & Governance
Labour & Governance
- Labour standards
- Samoa has a relatively low forced labour risk profile. The country has ratified core ILO conventions. Child labour exists in subsistence agriculture but is not widespread in export-oriented sectors.
- Governance
- Stable parliamentary democracy. No CPI score available — estimated governance score of 3 by analogy with Fiji and similar Pacific island states. Peaceful government transitions and functional rule of law.
- Worker rights
- Freedom of association is legally protected. Trade unions exist but the small formal economy limits union coverage. Labour disputes are relatively rare.
Trade Access & Regulatory
Trade Access & Regulatory
- PACER Plus
- Samoa is a signatory to the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) with Australia and New Zealand, providing preferential trade access to these key regional markets.
- EU trade
- Samoa benefits from EU EBA-equivalent preferences as a small island developing state. Export volumes to the EU are minimal, consisting primarily of agricultural products.
- Export base
- Exports include coconut products (copra, coconut cream), taro, fish, and nonu juice. Tourism and remittances from the Samoan diaspora (particularly New Zealand and Australia) are more significant than goods exports.