Belize's Alcohol Import Rules: What You Need To Know

If you're planning a trip to Belize and want to bring alcohol with you, it's important to know the regulations around importing alcoholic beverages into the country. Belize has specific rules and restrictions on the amount and type of alcohol that can be brought into the country, and these rules vary depending on where you are travelling from. It's always good to do your research beforehand to avoid any surprises or issues when you arrive.

Alcohol allowance: 1 litre of spirits or 6 bottles of liquor/wine per person

If you are travelling to Belize, you may be wondering how much alcohol you can bring with you. The answer depends on where you are travelling from and how you are travelling to Belize.

If you are travelling to Belize by air and are coming from a non-European Union country, you are allowed to bring in 1 litre of spirits with an alcohol content over 22%, or 2 litres of dessert wine with an alcohol content of 22% or less, or 2 litres of wine. This is per person. You can also bring in 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 250g of tobacco, and 50 cigars.

If you are travelling to Belize by land or sea, you are entitled to 1 litre of liquor (no beer) per person at all land border crossings and sea entry points.

It is important to note that alcohol is not allowed in your carry-on luggage on flights to Belize. It must be packed in your checked luggage. Make sure that your alcohol is in its original, unopened bottles, and that you have the proper documentation and invoices for your alcohol, as you will need to declare it on your customs form.

If you are looking to purchase alcohol once you arrive in Belize, there are duty-free shops located near the baggage claim area in the Belize international airport, where you can buy up to four bottles of spirits or wine that will not count towards your regular import allowance.

Must be in original, unopened bottles

When travelling to Belize, it's important to be aware of the country's customs regulations and what items you can and cannot bring into the country.

Belize has strict rules about the amount of alcohol you can bring into the country, and it must be in its original, unopened bottles. This means that you cannot pour the contents into plastic bottles or other containers. Each passenger can bring in up to 1 litre of spirits (with alcohol content over 22%) or 2 litres of dessert wine (with alcohol content 22% or less), and 2 litres of wine. These must be in their original packaging and unopened. If you are bringing in more than 1 litre of alcohol per person, customs officials may charge you duty on the extra bottles, which can be more expensive than the cost of the alcohol itself.

In addition to alcohol, there are other items that you can bring into Belize duty-free, such as 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 250g of tobacco, and 50 cigars. You are also allowed to bring in small amounts of food items for personal use, as long as they are in their original packaging. However, fresh fruits and vegetables are prohibited.

It is important to declare any alcohol or other restricted items on your customs form when entering Belize. The customs officers will inspect your luggage and collect any necessary taxes or import duties.

It is also worth noting that there are duty-free shops at the Belize International Airport, where you can purchase alcohol and other items upon arrival. These shops are located near the baggage claim area.

Declare on customs form

When entering Belize, you must declare on the customs form any cash you are carrying that exceeds $10,000 BZ, as well as any arms or ammunition. You must also declare any goods you are importing, which will require an import permit, commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, and a packing list. Other items that may be required are health and sanitary certificates, a fumigation certificate, and a certificate of origin.

If you are travelling to Belize from a non-European Union country, you can bring in certain items duty-free, but there are limitations. You can bring in 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 250g of tobacco, and 50 cigars. You may also bring in 1 litre of spirits with alcohol content over 22%, 2 litres of dessert wine (maximum 22% alcohol content), 2 litres of wine, 250ml of eau de toilette, and 60cc of perfume. You can also bring in souvenirs from other places, but there are monetary limitations.

It is important to note that some items are restricted or prohibited from entry into Belize. These include meat and meat products, processed food items, and live animals. Firearms and ammunition are also strictly prohibited, as are fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you are bringing alcohol into Belize, it is important to declare it on the customs form. While you can bring in alcohol duty-free, there are limitations on the quantity. For travellers from non-European Union countries, the limit is 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine per person. It is also important to note that customs officials may confiscate beer, as Belize protects its domestic brewing industry.

If you are entering Belize by land or sea, the duty-free allowance for alcohol is more restricted. Travellers are entitled to 1 litre of liquor (no beer) per person at all land border crossings and sea entry points.

Duty-free shops available at the airport

Duty-Free Shops at Philip Goldson International Airport

Duty & Tax Free Ltd is the company that operates the duty-free shops at Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize. They have 11 duty-free retail stores across Belize, including three at the airport.

When you arrive at the airport, you will find two duty-free shops in the arrivals gate and one in the departures gate. The arrivals shops are called Arrival Duty & Tax Free and Lauren Duty & Tax Free, while the departures shop is called Cuban Cigars & More.

These duty-free shops offer a wide range of products, including leading international brands of liquor, wine, tobacco, fragrance, and confectionery. You can also find unique souvenirs and gifts, such as Cuban cigars, at duty-free prices.

In addition to the shops at the airport, Duty & Tax Free Ltd also operates retail stores and kiosks at other points of entry into Belize, such as the Harvest Caye International Cruise Port, the Punta Gorda International Point of Entry, and the land borders with Mexico and Guatemala.

No beer allowed

If you're planning a trip to Belize and want to bring alcohol with you, it's important to know the regulations around importing alcohol into the country. While some alcoholic beverages are allowed, there are specific restrictions on bringing beer into Belize. Here are the key points to know:

Belize has strict regulations regarding the importation of beer to protect its domestic brewing industry. Customs officials may confiscate any beer you attempt to bring into the country, whether it's from Guatemala, Mexico, or other non-CARICOM countries. This means that if you're travelling from a non-CARICOM country, you should not include beer in your luggage, as it will likely be taken by customs officials upon arrival.

Duty-Free Limits:

When entering Belize, travellers from non-European Union countries are allowed to bring a limited quantity of certain alcoholic beverages duty-free. These allowances include up to 1 litre of spirits (with alcohol content over 22%) or 2 litres of dessert wine (with alcohol content of 22% or less) per person. These limits are important to keep in mind if you plan to bring your own alcohol into the country.

Original Packaging:

It's important to note that alcohol brought into Belize must be in its original, unopened bottles. Transferring the contents into plastic bottles is not permitted. This means that you should pack your alcohol carefully to avoid any issues at customs.

Declaration on Customs Form:

When travelling to Belize, you must declare any alcohol you are bringing into the country on your customs form. The customs officer will then decide whether to tax you on the imported alcohol. It is important to be transparent and accurate in your declaration to avoid any legal issues.

Duty-Free Shopping in Belize:

If you want to purchase alcohol upon arrival in Belize, there are duty-free shops available at the international airport in Belize City. These shops offer a range of alcoholic beverages, including spirits and wine, and the purchases made there are not counted towards your regular import allowance. This can be a convenient option if you want to stock up on alcohol for your trip without worrying about duty-free limits.

In summary, while you can bring certain types of alcohol into Belize, beer is not permitted. To enjoy your favourite beverages during your trip, it's best to either purchase them at your destination or opt for local alternatives. Remember to always follow the local regulations and guidelines when travelling to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Frequently asked questions