Bringing Alcohol To Belize: What You Need To Know

If you're travelling to Belize from the USA, you may be wondering if you can bring liquor into the country. The short answer is yes, you can bring alcohol into Belize, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, you must declare any alcohol on your customs form, and there may be duty fees to pay, depending on the quantity you bring.

How much liquor can I bring?

If you are travelling to Belize from a non-European Union country, you are permitted to bring 1 litre of spirits (with alcohol content over 22%), 2 litres of dessert wine (with alcohol content no higher than 22%), and 2 litres of wine, per person. This alcohol must be in its original, unopened bottles. You will need to declare any alcohol you bring on a customs form, and it is up to the customs officer whether you will be taxed on it.

If you are travelling from a European Union country, you may be able to bring a greater quantity of alcohol into Belize.

You can also buy alcohol at the duty-free shops in the Belize airport before customs.

What about beer?

Customs officials in Belize may confiscate beer brought into the country, including beer from Guatemala or Mexico, as the country protects its domestic brewing industry. The exception to this rule is beer from countries in CARICOM, of which Belize is a member.

If you are set on bringing beer into Belize, you may be able to bring it in duty-free if it is from a CARICOM country. However, it is important to note that bringing alcohol into Belize may be subject to other restrictions. For example, alcohol must be in its original, unopened bottles, and you must declare it on your customs form.

Do I need to declare it?

When entering Belize, you must declare any alcohol you are carrying to customs officials. They will inspect your luggage and collect any necessary taxes or import duties.

If you have purchased duty-free alcohol, head to the 'SOMETHING TO DECLARE' line at customs. This is because you do have something to declare—your alcohol. If you are not purchasing alcohol, you can head to the 'NOTHING TO DECLARE' line.

Passengers entering Belize from non-European Union countries can bring the following items duty-free with limitations:

• 1 litre of spirits (with alcohol content over 22%) per person
• 2 litres of dessert wine (with alcohol content no more than 22%)
• 2 litres of wine
• 200 cigarettes
• 100 cigarillos
• 250g of tobacco
• 50 cigars
• 250ml eau de toilette
• 60cc of perfume

It is important to note that customs regulations are subject to change, so it is always a good idea to check the latest information before your trip.

What about other duty-free items?

Belize's duty-free allowance for visitors includes items other than alcohol. Travellers from non-European Union countries can bring the following items duty-free with limitations: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 250g of tobacco, and 50 cigars. They are also permitted to bring in 2 litres of dessert wine (with a maximum alcohol content of 22%), 2 litres of wine, 250ml of eau de toilette, and 60cc of perfume.

It is important to note that travellers can also bring souvenirs from other places, but there are certain monetary limitations. In addition, meat and its products, processed food items, and live animals are restricted from entry into Belize.

For those travelling by air, it is worth noting that duty-free alcohol can be purchased at the airport upon arrival. This option may be more cost-effective if you are looking to consume alcohol with higher percentages, such as vodka, tequila, gin, or whiskey, as these can be quite expensive in Belize.

When bringing duty-free items into Belize, it is important to comply with the regulations to avoid any potential issues.

What about liquor bought in Belize?

When it comes to liquor bought in Belize, there are a few things to keep in mind if you plan on taking it out of the country. Firstly, it's important to know the duty-free allowances for visitors exiting the country. Each person is allowed to take 1 liter of liquor with them when leaving Belize, and this applies specifically to spirits with an alcohol content of over 22%. In addition, you can also take up to 2 liters of dessert wine (with alcohol content not exceeding 22%), 2 liters of wine, and 250ml of eau de toilette. These allowances are standard for travellers exiting Belize and heading to a non-European Union country.

It's worth noting that there are certain restrictions on what you can bring into Belize as well. For example, meat and meat products, processed food items, and live animals are prohibited from being brought into the country. Additionally, if you're bringing in more than $10,000 BZ in currency or equivalent, you must declare this on a customs form before arrival. The same goes for any arms or ammunition you might be bringing into the country.

If you're planning on importing goods into Belize, there are a few requirements to keep in mind. You'll need an import permit, a commercial invoice, a bill of lading or air waybill, and a packing list. In some cases, you may also need health and sanitary certificates, fumigation certificates, and certificates of origin. It's important to be present for customs clearance when shipping goods to Belize, and any household goods or personal effects that have been in use for at least a year can be imported duty-free.

In terms of liquor specifically, Belize has regulations in place to protect its domestic brewing industry. Customs officials may confiscate beer brought into the country from places like Guatemala or Mexico. However, beer from countries within CARICOM, of which Belize is a member, is exempt from this restriction. So, if you're planning on bringing beer into Belize, it's best to opt for brands from CARICOM countries to avoid any issues.

Frequently asked questions