The Amazon's Reach: Exploring Belize's Connection To The Mighty Rainforest

Belize is a small Central American country, bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. Amazon does ship to Belize, but only if you follow a specific process. You can place your Amazon order and send it to a shipping company in the United States, which will then put your items on a barge. The frequency of shipments depends on the shipping company. Once your items arrive in Belize, they need to clear customs, and you will be charged duties. Amazon uses a variety of methods to deliver packages to Belize, including international couriers like UPS, DHL, and FedEx. Local couriers in Belize handle the final leg of the shipment. The cost of shipping to Belize depends on the items being bought and how quickly delivery is required.

Amazon Prime in Belize

Amazon Prime does ship to Belize, but there are some important considerations to be aware of. Firstly, you need to have an international credit card or valid payment method. Secondly, you will need to use a shipping or consolidating company as a middleman to get your packages to Belize. This adds an extra step and cost to the process. It also means that Amazon Prime's usual quick delivery times do not apply, and packages can take anywhere from two to six weeks to arrive.

Several freight forwarding services can be used to ship Amazon packages to Belize, including Belizean Queen, Joseph Freight, and Caribbean International Shipping. These companies consolidate multiple packages into one box to save on shipping costs and then send the packages to Belize by boat. It's important to note that shipping times can vary depending on the departure port and schedule of the ships, and additional time may be needed for clearing the container from the port before delivery.

In addition to shipping considerations, it's worth noting that some items may be more expensive when shipped to Belize, even with Prime. For example, a $17 bottle of shampoo could end up costing over $300 with shipping. It's also important to be prepared for potential duty charges when picking up items from customs.

While Amazon Prime shipping to Belize comes with some challenges and added costs, it is possible to take advantage of the service with some advance planning and flexibility.

Shipping to Belize

There are also other freight forwarding companies that offer similar services, such as Belize Freight, which is a 100% Belizean-owned and operated transportation service from the continental United States to any destination in Belize. Belize Concierge & Shipping is another company that provides outstanding service, with fast communication, hassle-free deliveries, and fantastic prices.

When shipping to Belize, it is important to keep in mind that it usually takes about two weeks for shipping and clearing of the container from the port before delivery can begin. Additionally, duty charges may apply, and some companies may charge based on the size of the box rather than the weight or contents.

Overall, shipping to Belize may take some time and incur additional costs, but it is possible to use freight forwarding companies to facilitate the process and ensure that your goods arrive safely and in compliance with local regulations.

Freight forwarding services

Belize is a small Central American country, bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. While it is not located in the Amazon rainforest, it is possible to order items from Amazon and have them delivered to Belize via freight forwarding services.

Freight forwarders are companies that specialize in arranging cargo shipments on behalf of their clients. They serve as intermediaries between the companies that import and export goods and the businesses that need them. While they do not typically own the ships or equipment used for transport, they negotiate with carriers to secure the best possible price for their clients.

Freight forwarders manage all aspects of the transportation process, from storing goods in warehouses before shipment to ensuring they clear customs. They work with a variety of transportation companies that ship goods by road, rail, sea, or air. By leveraging their relationships with these carriers, freight forwarders can offer their clients affordable and reliable shipping services, both domestically and internationally.

The services provided by freight forwarders include preparing the necessary documentation for importing or exporting goods, selecting transportation providers, negotiating freight charges, consolidating freight, and managing inventory. They also handle the complex logistics involved in shipping goods internationally, such as customs clearance and compliance.

In the context of shipping goods to Belize, freight forwarders can be especially useful. Since Amazon does not offer direct delivery to Belize, freight forwarders can act as intermediaries, receiving shipments at their address in the US and then forwarding them to Belize via boat. This process typically takes around two weeks for shipping and an additional period for clearing the goods through customs.

Customs and duties

Belize is a small Central American country, formerly known as British Honduras, and is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. Here is some information on the customs regulations and duties when entering Belize.

Passport and Visa Requirements:

• For travellers entering Belize from the United States, a U.S. passport is required, and no visa is needed for the first 30 days.
• After 30 days, a visa is required for up to six months, which costs $25 USD.
• Visa extensions can be obtained for $50 USD per month.
• All tourists must pay a $35 USD exit fee when leaving Belize.

Customs Regulations:

• Travellers entering Belize with more than $10,000 BZ in currency or equivalent must declare this on a customs form before arrival.
• Any arms or ammunition must also be declared.
• To import goods into Belize, an import permit, commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, and a packing list are required.
• Health and sanitary certificates, a fumigation certificate, and a certificate of origin may also be required.
• Household goods and personal effects that have been in use for at least one year can be imported duty-free.
• Restricted items include illegal drugs, guns, explosives, ammunition, knives, deadly weapons, hazardous materials, counterfeit money, and pornographic material.

Duty-Free Allowances:

• Travellers from non-European Union countries can bring the following items duty-free:
• 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 250g of tobacco, and 50 cigars.
• 1 litre of spirits with alcohol content over 22%.
• 2 litres of dessert wine (maximum 22% alcohol content).
• 2 litres of wine.
• 250ml eau de toilette and 60cc of perfume.
• Basis foodstuffs such as bread, rice, flour, fresh meat, and condensed milk.
• Medicine and medical supplies for personal use.
• Animal feeding material.
• When arriving by international air, passengers can purchase up to four bottles of spirits or wine at the duty-free shop, which will not count towards the regular import allowance.

Prohibited and Restricted Items:

• Firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are not allowed.
• Certain food items, such as meats, rice, beans, sugar, and peanuts, require an import license.
• A permit from the Fisheries Department is required to take home fresh seafood from Belize, with a 20-pound limit.
• It is illegal to export any Mayan artifacts from Belize.
• Restricted exports include boneless beef and certain beef products from cattle less than 30 months old.

Package forwarders

Belize is a small Central American country, bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. It is not located in the Amazon rainforest. However, if you are interested in shopping for products from the US and shipping them to Belize, you can use a package forwarding service.

Package forwarding, also known as parcel forwarding, is an international shipping service offered by shipping companies to help international online shoppers with cross-border online shopping. This service is particularly useful when the online retailer does not offer direct shipping to your country or when international shipping rates are prohibitively expensive.

• Sign up for a package forwarding service and obtain a local shipping address, usually the company's warehouse address in the shipping country.
• Place your online order with the retailer and use the shipping address provided by the forwarding company, along with a reference number to identify your package.
• The package forwarder receives your shipment and may consolidate it with other orders to save on shipping costs.
• You pay the package forwarder for their services and the international shipping fee.
• The package forwarder ships the package to your address in Belize, and you receive it.

Some popular package forwarding companies include:

• Shipito: Offers a free US address and ships to over 220 countries.
• Borderlinx: Provides a UK and US address, with the ability to calculate estimated shipping costs and track your shipment.
• USGoBuy: Provides a free US mailing address and ships to over 200 countries, with various payment options.
• NYBox: Offers addresses in New York and tax-free Delaware, with flexible plans and live customer service seven days a week.
• Opas: Provides addresses in Osaka, Japan, and Oregon, US, for access to Japanese products.

Please note that package forwarding services typically take longer than standard domestic shipping, and you may need to pay additional fees, such as storage fees or duties. Additionally, some companies may have size or weight restrictions for packages.

When choosing a package forwarder, it is essential to research their reputation, reliability, and cost. Reading reviews and comparing prices can help you make an informed decision.

Frequently asked questions