Belizean Port Customs: A Comprehensive Examination

Belize's customs and immigration procedures can be a little confusing, with varying reports on the specific requirements and fees. However, it is important to have all the necessary documentation ready, as clearing customs and immigration can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. All visitors must have a valid passport, and US citizens are not required to have a visa for tourist visits of up to 30 days, although they must provide proof of their departure and sufficient funds. Visitors from other countries may need a visa or consular permission to enter Belize, and tourists are generally allowed to stay for a maximum of 30 days, with the possibility of extensions. It is also important to declare any currency exceeding the allowed limit and to be aware of restricted and prohibited items, such as illegal drugs, weapons, and certain food products.

What to declare

When travelling to Belize, you will need to declare currency in excess of $10,000 BZD or foreign currency equivalent. This will not be taxed, but you must fill in a C300 form to report the import of currency.

You will also need to declare any arms or ammunition you are bringing into the country.

Some products are exempt from tax if imported in small quantities. These include:

• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco
• Alcoholic beverages: 1 litre of wine or spirits
• Medicines and medical devices for personal use
• Basic foodstuffs, including bread, rice, flour, fresh meat, and condensed milk

If you are importing goods into Belize, you will need an import permit, a commercial invoice, a bill of lading/air waybill, and a packing list. Other items that may be required include health and sanitary certificates, a fumigation certificate, and a certificate of origin.

If you are a resident of Belize, you can export up to BZD 400 in local currency.

Prohibited items

Customs regulations vary from country to country, and it is important to be aware of the rules in Belize to avoid legal issues and potential fines. Here is a list of prohibited items that cannot be brought into Belize:

• Animals and Animal Products: The import of animals and their derivative products is prohibited under the Animals (Disease and Importation) Act to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. This includes pets, which require permits and health certificates for entry.
• Counterfeit Goods and Currency: Importing or producing counterfeit goods, currency, or stamps is strictly prohibited. This includes any devices or plates used to create counterfeit items.
• Food Products Unfit for Human Consumption: Food items intended for consumption that are deemed unfit for human consumption are not allowed.
• Media and Literature: Printed literature, photographs, videos, or any other media deemed contrary to the public interest by the Minister are prohibited. This includes indecent, obscene, or pornographic material.
• Weapons: Various types of weapons are prohibited, including knives (e.g., flick knives, gravity knives) that can be automatically released, pistols or pen-like devices capable of firing cartridges, and weapons designed for the discharge of noxious liquids or gases without the Minister's authorisation.
• Pesticides: Specific pesticides listed in the Pesticide Control Act's Fourth Schedule are banned.
• Opium Consumption Items: Pipes or utensils intended for opium consumption are prohibited.
• Drugs: The import of dangerous drugs and psychotropic substances, as defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act, is illegal.
• Ozone-Depleting Substances: Certain substances that deplete the ozone layer are prohibited from being brought into Belize.
• Live Plants and Food Products: Live plants, fruits, vegetables, and food products require permits and certifications to ensure they are safe and do not pose a risk to local agriculture.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics must be obtained from pharmaceutical firms approved by the Minister.
• Antiques and Artefacts: The import of antiques and artefacts of archaeological value or interest is restricted and requires a licence from the Minister.
• Telecommunication Devices: Any apparatus for radio wave transmission needs a permit from Belize Telecommunications Limited or an authorised licence holder.
• Currency-Related Items: Goods bearing designs that imitate currency need permission from the Central Bank of Belize.
• Bees and Beekeeping Stock: Bees, honey, or beekeeping stock require prior written permission from the Chief Agricultural Officer.
• Firearms and Ammunition: Firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, and explosives are generally prohibited without a licence granted by the Commissioner of Police or the Minister. Military, naval, or aerial warfare arms require written permission from the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Defence.
• Flavouring Essences: Essences that can be mixed with brandy, whisky, or gin are prohibited unless imported for mixing in a bonded warehouse.
• Herbs and Plants for Medicinal Use: Herbs or plants intended for medicinal use need written permission from the Director of Health Services.
• Medicinal Drugs: Medicinal drugs, as defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act, are controlled and require an import authorisation from the Director of Health Services.
• Pesticides (continued): In addition to the prohibited pesticides listed in the Fourth Schedule, those listed in the Second and Third Schedules of the Pesticides Control Act require a licence from the Pesticides Control Board.
• Plants and Fruits without Certification: Plants or fruits must be accompanied by the appropriate plant health certification.
• Infectious or Harmful Biological Items: Plants, animals, vegetable organisms, or similar articles that may cause infection or harm to local plant life require permission from the Plant Quarantine Committee/Chief Agricultural Officer.
• Wild Animals: Any animals that are not typically domesticated require a licence under the Wild Life Protection Act.
• Gaming Machines: These devices require a permit granted by the Minister.
• Ozone-Depleting Gases: Special licences from the Department of the Environment are needed for certain gases that deplete the ozone layer.
• Restricted Agricultural Products: Due to local production, certain agricultural products, such as beans and rice, may be restricted from import if there is a surplus on the domestic market.
• Peanut Butter, Jam, Jellies, Pasta, Wheat Flour, Peppers and Sauces, Alcoholic Beverages, Carbonated Drinks, Cigarettes, Wood Products, Pharmaceutical Medicines, Telecommunication Equipment, and Fuel: These items are restricted and may be subject to tariffs or quantity limitations.

Restricted items

Belize customs regulations restrict certain goods from entering the country. Many of these restricted items require a licence or permit to be imported. Here is a list of goods that are restricted or prohibited from entering Belize:

• Meat and meat products, including peanut butter, jam, jellies, pasta, wheat flour, rice, peppers and pepper sauces, beer, alcohol, spirits, and carbonated beverages.
• Tobacco products, including cigarettes.
• Live animals, including pets, and their derivative products.
• Counterfeit goods, or plates or devices used to make counterfeit goods.
• Food products that are unfit for human consumption.
• Printed literature, photographs, videos, or any other media deemed contrary to the public interest.
• Counterfeit currency.
• Fictitious stamps, or instruments capable of making fictitious stamps.
• Any pistol or apparatus in the form of a pen or pencil capable of firing cartridges.
• Knives that can be automatically released, such as flick knives and gravity knives.
• Antibiotics must be from a pharmaceutical firm approved by the Minister.
• Antiques and artefacts of archaeological value or interest, which require a licence granted by the Minister.
• Telecommunication equipment, which requires a permit from Belize Telecommunications Limited or a licensed dealer.
• Any goods bearing a design imitation of any currency, except with the permission of the Central Bank of Belize.
• Bees, honey, or bee-keepers stock, without the prior written permission of the Chief Agricultural Officer.
• Firearms and ammunition require a licence granted by the Commissioner of Police.
• Military, naval, or aerial warfare arms require written permission from the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Defence.
• Ozone-depleting gases and substances, which require a licence from the Department of the Environment.
• Plants, fruits, and vegetables, which must be accompanied by a plant certificate and may require additional permits.
• Pharmaceutical medicines, pesticides, and chemicals deemed harmful to the environment.
• Fuel.

It is important to note that these restrictions may change, so it is advisable to check the Belize Customs and Excise Department's website for the most up-to-date information before travelling to or importing goods into Belize.

Passport and visa requirements

All visitors to Belize must present a valid passport before entering the country. The only exception is for cruise ship passengers, who do not require a passport or visa. Visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after their date of arrival, and a return ticket with sufficient funds to cover their stay. Visitors from certain countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU, do not require a visa to enter Belize. For visitors from other countries, visas should be obtained before arriving in Belize. This can usually be facilitated by a travel agent, hotel, or resort.

If you are being sponsored, you must provide a letter of financial support and your sponsor's identification. Your sponsor must complete the letter of financial support, signed by a Justice of the Peace, accompanied by a $1.50 Belize postage stamp. You must also provide an invitation letter, stating the purpose of your visit, the duration of your stay, and your relationship with your sponsor. You and your sponsor must also provide an employment letter, issued within the last six months, and banking financials showing the last six months of transactions.

If you are driving or boating into Belize from Guatemala or Mexico, you must secure a temporary importation permit at the point of entry. Vehicle and vessel permits are valid for 30 days.

Importing animals

The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) is responsible for handling the applications and processes for importing pets, agricultural animals, meat, and plants. The Animal Health Department's main function is to prevent the entry of animal diseases and, in the event of an introduction, to detect them early to prevent their spread and protect human and animal health.

Importing Dogs and Cats

To import dogs and cats into Belize, you must:

• Obtain a valid import permit from BAHA. You must submit a duly completed and signed application form to BAHA, along with two pictures of your pet's front teeth, a CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record, a serologic titer from an approved laboratory, and a passport photo of the owner. The fee for each permit is $50, and it can be valid for up to ten cats and/or dogs for 90 days.
• Meet the conditions of importation that accompany the valid import permit. This includes having a recent international veterinary health certificate (obtained within 14 days of travel) and a valid rabies certificate obtained between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Belize. Other vaccines, such as distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus for dogs, and feline viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus and panleucopaenia for cats, are strongly encouraged but not required.
• Notify the Director of Animal Health at least 48 hours or two days in advance of the arrival, so a quarantine officer can inspect the animal before entry into Belize.
• Undergo a quarantine inspection at the port of entry. Dogs and cats will be inspected for any signs of disease communicable to humans, and those coming from countries considered high-risk for certain diseases, such as screwworm in dogs and cats from South America, will need to undergo an additional veterinary inspection for which there is a fee.
• Ensure that your pet is free of ticks and tapeworm within 30 days of entering Belize.

Importing Other Types of Pets

For pets other than dogs and cats, such as birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and small mammals like hamsters and rabbits, there is no vaccination requirement. However, you must seek information on other import conditions and health certificate requirements from the Belizean authorities. It is also important to verify that your pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as you will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case.

Frequently asked questions