Bringing Cigars To Belize: What You Need To Know

If you're planning to travel to Belize and want to bring cigars, it's important to be aware of the customs regulations to avoid any legal issues or fines. Belize has specific rules regarding what can be brought into the country, and these regulations are similar to those in other countries. Here's an introduction to the topic of bringing cigars into Belize, along with some key information you should know before your trip.

How many cigars can I bring into Belize?

If you are travelling to Belize from a non-European Union country, you can bring up to 50 cigars into the country duty-free. This allowance is per passenger. If you are travelling as a family, you may be restricted to bringing a total of six boxes of cigars into Belize.

If you are travelling from the United States, you will not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days. However, you will need to provide an onward or return ticket and proof that you can financially support yourself during your stay.

Belize has strict rules about what you can and cannot bring into the country. Prohibited items include firearms, ammunition, drones, and drugs. You must declare if you are bringing in more than the equivalent of $10,000 in currency, and you must declare any arms or ammunition.

What other items can I bring into Belize?

In addition to cigars, travellers to Belize from non-European Union countries can bring in other items duty-free with limitations. These include:

• 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 250g of tobacco, and 50 cigars
• 1 litre of spirits with alcohol content over 22%, 2 litres of dessert wine with alcohol content no more than 22%, and 2 litres of wine
• 250ml of eau de toilette and 60cc of perfume
• Souvenirs from other places with certain monetary limitations

It is important to note that items such as meat and meat products, processed food items, and live animals are restricted from entry into Belize.

When bringing items into Belize, it is crucial to comply with customs regulations to avoid legal issues and potential fines. Here are some other items that you can bring into Belize:

• Quick-dry travel towel: With Belize's abundance of water activities such as snorkelling, diving, and swimming, a compact and quick-drying towel is essential.
• Water bottle with a built-in filter: In many areas of Belize, tap water may not be safe to drink, so a water bottle with a built-in filter is highly recommended for staying hydrated and healthy.
• Universal waterproof phone case: Belize is known for its adventurous and water-based activities, so protecting your phone from water damage, dust, dirt, and scratches is a must.
• Travel insurance: Accidents or mishaps can happen during international travel, so having travel insurance is essential for peace of mind and financial protection.
• Activated charcoal: Travel can sometimes cause stomach upsets, and activated charcoal can help absorb toxins and speed up the recovery process.
• Anti-theft wallet: To keep your passport, cash, and other valuables safe and secure while exploring Belize, consider an anti-theft wallet made with RFID-blocking material.
• Hanging toiletry bag: To stay organised and avoid leaks during your travels, a hanging toiletry bag with stain-resistant pockets and elastic bands is a great investment.
• Portable charger: A lipstick-sized portable charger can be a lifesaver when you need to make important calls or look up information on the go.
• Mosquito-repellent wristbands: While the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses is low in Belize, taking precautions is wise. Deet-free and non-toxic mosquito-repellent wristbands are a safer alternative to toxic sprays.
• Daypack or backpack: A small to mid-sized daypack is ideal for carrying your gear, water, and other essentials while exploring Belize during the day.
• Luggage locks: To secure your checked luggage and deter potential theft, consider using TSA-approved luggage locks.
• Female urination device: Toilets in Belize may not always be modern or easily accessible, so a female urination device can be a hygienic and convenient solution.
• Cooling towel: Belize's tropical climate can be hot and humid, so a cooling towel that becomes cooler than the outside air temperature when wet is a great way to stay comfortable during outdoor activities.
• Reef-safe sunscreen: With Belize's stunning reefs, it is important to protect yourself from the sun while also respecting the delicate aquatic ecosystem. Choose a reef-safe sunscreen to avoid damaging coral and harming marine life.
• Windproof travel umbrella: If you plan to visit Belize during the summer or fall, expect some rain. A lightweight and packable travel umbrella will keep you dry and comfortable during sudden showers.
• Affordable underwater camera: Belize is known for its water-based attractions, so capturing memories with a sturdy, lightweight, and affordable underwater camera is a great idea.
• Travel deodorant wipes: The warm and humid climate in Belize can lead to body odour, so consider packing single-use travel deodorant wipes that naturally clean the skin and reduce odours.
• Water-resistant shoe bags: Belize's diverse landscapes include swamps, mangroves, and rainforests. Water-resistant shoe bags will help keep your clean items separate from your dirty shoes.
• Sarong: A sarong has multiple uses, including a pillowcase, privacy screen, beach wrap, picnic blanket, travel towel, and packing cushion, making it a versatile and lightweight addition to your luggage.
• Motion sickness patches: If you are prone to motion sickness, consider using holistic and fast-acting motion sickness patches to prevent nausea during winding roads or ferry rides.
• Packable "just in case" bag: This bag takes up minimal space but can be filled with authentic handmade souvenirs like Mayan baskets, natural soaps, local carvings, and jewellery.
• Lightweight jacket: Rains in Belize can be sudden and intense, so a packable and lightweight jacket will ensure you stay dry and warm during unexpected downpours.
• Convertible hiking pants: For outdoor activities such as hiking and trekking, consider packing convertible, quick-dry hiking pants with a silver fibre lining to disperse heat and keep you cool.

Remember to also review the prohibited items and restricted items lists provided by Belize customs to ensure a smooth travel experience.

What items are prohibited from entering Belize?

When travelling to Belize, it is important to know about customs regulations to avoid legal issues and potential fines. While the arrival process is not complicated, it is best to arrive at the airport two hours before your international flight to allow time for checking bags and going through the departure process.

• Firearms and ammunition without a license granted by the Commissioner of Police.
• Military, naval, or aerial warfare types of arms without written permission from the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Defence.
• Meat and meat products.
• Live animals, including pets, without prior permission from the Belize Agricultural and Health Authority.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables without a plant certificate.
• Plants, animals, vegetable organisms, and articles similar to plants or animals likely to cause infection or which may prohibit the growth of plants without written permission from the Plant Quarantine Committee/Chief Agricultural Officer.
• Antibiotics not from a pharmaceutical firm approved by the Minister.
• Antiques and artefacts of archaeological value or interest without a license from the Minister.
• Any apparatus or component for transmission by radio waves without a permit from Belize Telecommunications Limited or a license from an authorized company.
• Any goods bearing a design imitation of any currency without permission from the Central Bank of Belize.
• Bees, honey, or beekeepers' stock without prior written permission from the Chief Agricultural Officer.
• Any currency, bank, or other goods prohibited by Part IV of the Exchange Control Regulations without permission from the Competent Authority.
• Drones without a special permit from the Civil Aviation Department.
• Any pistols or apparatus in the form of a pen or pencil capable of firing cartridges.
• Gold or silver bearing assay marks but below the standard indicated by the marks.
• Printed literature, photographs, videos, or any other media deemed contrary to the public interest by the Minister.
• Fictitious stamps or instruments capable of making fictitious stamps.
• Counterfeit currency.
• Knives that can be automatically released, such as flick knives and gravity knives.
• Pesticides listed in the Second, Third, and Fourth Schedule of the Pesticides Control Act without a license from the Pesticides Control Board.
• Pipes or other utensils for opium consumption.
• Dangerous drugs and psychotropic substances as defined and prohibited in the Misuse of Drugs Act.
• Any goods prohibited by any law or regulation, such as the Import Control Regulations.
• Ozone-depleting substances and gases without a license from the Department of the Environment.
• Alcohol, including beer, above the allowed limit of 1 litre of spirits or wine.
• Tobacco above the allowed limit of 250 grams.
• Cigarettes above the allowed limit of 200.
• More than 100 cigarillos.
• More than 2 liters of dessert wine.
• More than 2 liters of wine.
• More than 250ml of eau de toilette.
• More than 60cc of perfume.
• More than the equivalent of $10,000 BZ in currency or other monetary instruments without declaring it on a customs form.

What are the visa requirements for Belize?

To enter Belize, you must have a valid passport and proof of an onward or return ticket. Your passport must be valid for more than six months and should not expire within three months of your trip. If you are travelling with children, they will also need a valid passport. If they are not your children, you may be asked to show US birth certificates for each child and to provide documentation that you have permission from both parents.

If you are a national of the USA, Canada, the UK, Central America and Caribbean countries, or the European Union, you will be granted an automatic 30-day visa upon arrival in Belize. For visits of over 30 days, you will need to visit an Immigration Office and pay a fee of $25 for a visa of up to six months. After this period, visa extensions can be obtained for $50 per month.

If you are not a national of the countries listed above, you will need to apply for a visa from your country of origin, either at a Belize Embassy or consulate.

What are the passport requirements for Belize?

To enter Belize, you need a valid passport that will not expire within three months of your trip. Nationals of the USA, Canada, the UK, Central America and Caribbean countries, or the European Union are automatically granted a 30-day visa upon arrival. If you are a citizen of a country not listed here, you will need to obtain a visa from your country of origin, either at the Belize Embassy or the consulate.

All non-residents of Belize must have a return ticket to their country of origin and provide the date of their departure. You must also be able to show proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your length of stay. If you are staying for more than 30 days, you must have your passport re-stamped by a local immigration office and pay an additional fee for every additional month, up to six months. For visits longer than six months, you may need to provide further documentation to the local immigration office, explaining the reason for your extended stay, and you may need to pay additional fees.

When travelling with children under the age of 18, they will need a valid passport and visa. If the child is travelling with only one parent or guardian, a notarized letter of consent must be provided by the other parent.

Frequently asked questions