Understanding Export Tariffs To Belize: A Guide For Businesses

Belize's import tariffs are largely defined by the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Common External Tariff (CET). The Belize Customs and Excise Department administers the tariffs and the collection of customs duties and taxes at the point of entry, which accounted for 35% of Belize's revenue in 2021. The main duties applied to imported goods are the Import Duty and Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD). Import Duties range from 0-120%, with an average rate of 20% for commodities. Zero-rated goods include food and medicines, while certain automobiles, fresh peppers, pepper sauces, live animals, and boats are taxed at 45%. Import duties on industrial products average a 20% rate but may be higher for products of national interest. Duties are calculated based on the CIF Value of goods (Cost, Insurance, plus Freight). Imports from CARICOM countries are exempt from import duties, but RRD may apply to some commodities, ranging from 10-50% with most averaging 40%. Other taxes on imports include the General Sales Tax (GST) and Environmental Tax.

Belize's tariff schedule is based on the Caribbean Community's Common External Tariff

Belize's tariff schedule is based on the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Common External Tariff (CET). The Belize Customs and Excise Department administers the tariffs and the collection of customs duties and taxes at the point of entry. In 2021, excises, customs, and import duties accounted for 35% of Belize's revenue, while the Customs and Excise Department accounts for approximately 50% of the government's total annual recurrent revenue.

Belize's customs tariff is modelled on the Harmonized Description and Coding System (HS) and is based on the CARICOM CET. The two main duties applied to imported goods and products are the Import Duty and the Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD). Import Duties range between 0% and 45%, with an average rate of 20% applied to commodities. Certain goods are exempt from import duties, including various food items and medicines. However, 45% is applicable to certain automobiles and other goods, such as fresh peppers, pepper sauces, live animals, and boats.

Import duties on industrial products average a rate of 20% but may be higher for products of national interest and protected for Belizean investment. Duties are calculated based on the CIF Value of goods (Cost, Insurance, plus Freight). Imports from CARICOM countries are exempt from import duties, but the RRD may still apply to some commodities originating from these countries. The RRD rates range from 10% to 50%, with most rates averaging 40%.

In addition to the Import Duty and RRD, other taxes on imports include the General Sales Tax (GST) and the Environmental Tax. The GST is applied at a flat rate of 12.5%, based on the aggregate of the customs value and other duties. The Environmental Tax is charged at a rate of 3% on all imports, with some exceptions for medicines and food items. Automobiles are charged at a rate of 2% to 5%, depending on the type of vehicle.

Import duties range from 0-45%

Belize's import tariffs are largely defined by the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Common External Tariff (CET). The two main duties applied to imported goods and products are the Import Duty and Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD).

Imports from CARICOM countries are exempt from import duties, but RRD may be applicable to some commodities originating from CARICOM countries. The RRD rates range from 5% to 50%, with the majority averaging 20%.

Belize's Customs Tariff is based on the Harmonized Description and Coding System (HS) and is prepared to implement the CET of the Caribbean Community. It is comprehensive and systematically organised according to easily understood principles. The rates of duty shown in the Schedule of Rates are applicable to imports from third countries into the Member States of the Caribbean Community, as well as to goods traded among the Member States that do not qualify for Community treatment.

Zero-rated goods include food and medicines

Belize's tariff schedule is based on the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Common External Tariff (CET). The Belize Customs and Excise Department administers the tariffs and collects the customs duties and taxes at the point of entry. The two main duties applied to imported goods are the Import Duty and the Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD).

Import duties range from 0% to 45%, with an average rate of 20% applied to commodities. Zero-rated goods include various food items and medicines. The import duty is calculated on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of goods.

Food items that are zero-rated include staple foods such as rice, beans, corn, fresh meat, flour, sugar, eggs, bread, and tortillas. Basic foodstuffs such as rice, beans, sugar, bread, flour, and butane gas are subject to government price controls.

Medicines are also zero-rated for import duty. Additionally, some medicines are exempt from the Environmental Tax, which is typically charged at a rate of 3% on all imports.

The Zero-Rated items list for GST has eight categories: unprocessed foods, processed foods, educational items, medicine, household items/supplies, agriculture, utilities, and others, totalling almost 100 items.

The Belize Customs and Excise Department administers tariffs

Belize's customs tariff is modelled on the Harmonized Description and Coding System (HS) and is based on the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Common External Tariff (CET). The two main duties applied to imported goods and products are the Import Duty and the Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD). Import duties range from 0-120%, with the average rate applied to commodities at 20%. Certain goods are exempt from import duties, including various food items and medicines. However, 45% is applicable to certain automobiles and other goods, such as fresh peppers, pepper sauces, live animals, and boats. Import duties on industrial products average a rate of 20% but may be higher for products of national interest and protected for Belizean investment. Duties are calculated based on the CIF value of goods (Cost, Insurance, plus Freight).

Imports from CARICOM countries are exempt from import duties, but Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD) may be applicable to some commodities originating from these countries. The RRD rates range from 10-50%, with most averaging 40%. Other taxes on imports include the General Sales Tax (GST) and Environmental Tax. GST is applied at a flat rate of 12.5% based on the aggregate of the customs value and other duties. The Environmental Tax is charged at a rate of 3% on all imports, excluding some medicines and food items. Automobiles are charged at a rate of 2-5%, depending on the vehicle type.

Belize is a member of the WTO and adheres to its agreements

Belize is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has been since 1 January 1995. As a member of the WTO, Belize is party to the organization's agreements and reporting system. Belize's tariff schedule is based on the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Common External Tariff (CET). The two main duties applied to imported goods and products are the Import Duty and Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD).

Import duties range between zero and 120%, with the average rate applied to commodities at 20%. Goods without duties include various food items and medicines; while 45% is applicable to certain automobiles and other goods, such as fresh peppers, pepper sauces, live animals, and boats. Import duties on industrial products average at a rate of 20% but may be higher for products of national interest and protected for Belizean investment. Duties are calculated on the CIF Value of goods (Cost, Insurance, plus Freight).

Imports from CARICOM countries are exempt from import duties, but Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD) may be applicable to some commodities originating from CARICOM countries. The RRD rates are applied between 10% and 50% with the majority averaging 40%.

Other taxes on imports include General Sales Tax (GST) and Environmental Tax. GST is applied at a rate of 12.5% based on the aggregate of the customs value and other duties. Environmental Tax is charged at a rate of 3% on all imports, excluding some medicines and food items; however, automobiles are charged at a rate of 2-5% depending on the type of vehicle.

Belize's tariff schedule is based on the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Common External Tariff (CET). Belize's membership in the WTO and adherence to its agreements contribute to a stable and predictable trade environment, promoting economic growth and development.

Frequently asked questions