Belize Customs: What To Declare And Why

When travelling to Belize, it is important to be aware of the country's customs regulations. All visitors must have a passport valid beyond their planned departure date. US citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 30 days, but they must have proof of their intent to depart Belize and proof of sufficient funds to maintain themselves in Belize. Visitors from other countries may also be granted an automatic 30-day visa on arrival. Those who wish to stay longer than 30 days, or who are visiting for purposes other than tourism, must obtain a visa. All tourists and non-Belizean citizens are required to pay an exit fee of between $35 and $55.50 when leaving the country.

When entering Belize, travellers must declare any currency in their possession exceeding $10,000 BZ or foreign currency equivalent, as well as any arms or ammunition they are bringing into the country. Certain items can be brought into the country duty-free, including personal items such as cameras, computers, and fishing and diving gear, as well as some food items and alcohol. However, there are restrictions on bringing in drones, meat and meat products, and plant and plant products, among other things.

Items that must be declared

When entering Belize, you must declare items that are not duty-free. This includes items that are prohibited or restricted, and you will need to pay the necessary tax or import duty.

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. When shipping goods to Belize, you must be present for customs clearance.

• Currency in excess of $10,000 BZ or its foreign currency equivalent.
• Arms and ammunition.
• Meat and meat products.
• Milk and poultry products.
• Live animals.
• Plant and plant products.
• Wooden furniture included in household effects, which require an import license from the Ministry of Trade prior to importation.
• Hams, which are not duty-free and require an extra 35% import tax.
• Turkeys, which have an extra 40% duty applied to them.
• All plant and plant products, which require permission from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).
• Meat and meat-based products, which require permission from BAHA before being granted admission.
• Cats and dogs, which require a special import permit from the Agriculture Department in Belmopan. A general health certificate issued two weeks prior to your arrival is also required, alongside a rabies vaccination certificate issued at least one month before your visit.
• Scuba diving equipment, which usually incurs a fee of around $150.
• Drones, which must have a special permit from the Civil Aviation Department.

Items that are prohibited

When travelling to Belize, it is important to declare any prohibited items to customs to avoid legal issues and potential fines.

Prohibited Items

Belize customs prohibit the following items from entering the country:

• Illegal drugs
• Guns, explosives and ammunition
• Knives and deadly weapons
• Certain plants and plant products, which require permission from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA)
• Meat and meat products
• Milk and poultry products
• Hazardous materials
• Counterfeit money and goods
• Pornographic material
• Live animals, including pets
• 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
• Any apparatus for transmission by radio waves, which require a permit granted by the Belize Telecommunications Limited or a licence holder
• Any goods bearing a design imitation of any currency, which require the permission of the Central Bank of Belize
• Bees, honey, or bee-keepers stock, which require the prior written permission of the Chief Agricultural Officer
• Any currency, bank or other goods prohibited by Part IV of the Exchange Control Regulations, which require the permission of the Competent Authority
• Military, naval, or aerial warfare types of arms, which require the written permission of the Chief Executive Officer to the Ministry of Defence
• Certain flavouring essences, unless imported for mixing in a bonded warehouse
• Gunpowder and other explosives, which require a licence granted by the Minister
• Herbs or plants to be used as medicine, which require the written permission of the Director of Health Services
• Certain medicinal drugs, as defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act, which require an import authorisation from the Director of Health Services
• Pesticides listed in the Second and Third Schedule of the Pesticides Control Act, which require a licence from the Pesticides Control Board
• Plants or fruits without a plant certificate
• Plants, animals, vegetable organisms, and articles similar to plants or animals likely to cause infection or prohibit plant growth, which require the written permission of the Plant Quarantine Committee/Chief Agricultural Officer
• Weapons designed for the discharge of noxious liquid or gas, which require the authority of the Minister
• Any animals other than those kept in a domesticated state, which require a licence issued under the Wild Life Protection Act
• Gaming machines, which require a permit granted by the Minister
• Ozone-depleting gases, which require a licence issued by the Department of the Environment
• Any live plants, food products including fruit and vegetables, products derived from plants such as lumber, and animal feed, which require permits from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

Restricted Items

Belize customs also restrict the following items:

• Hams, which are subject to a 35% import tax
• Turkeys, which are subject to a 40% duty
• All plant and plant products, which require permission from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA)
• Meat and meat-based products, which require permission from the BAHA
• All cats and dogs, which require a special import permit from the Agriculture Department Belmopan, a general health certificate issued two weeks prior, and a rabies vaccination certificate issued at least one month before arrival
• Wooden furniture, which requires an import licence from the Ministry of Trade
• Boneless beef and certain beef products derived from cattle less than 30 months of age
• Peanut butter, jam, jellies, pasta, wheat flour, rice, peppers and pepper sauces, beer, alcohol, spirits, carbonated beverages, cigarettes, products made of wood, pharmaceutical medicines, pesticides, telecommunication equipment, certain gases and chemicals deemed harmful to the environment, and fuel. Beans and rice, like many other locally produced agricultural products, may not be imported if there is a surplus on the domestic market.

Items that are restricted

When travelling to Belize, it's important to be aware of the restricted items that you must declare to customs. Here is a detailed list of items that are restricted or prohibited:

Restricted Items:

• Meat and meat products: All meat and meat-based products require prior permission from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) before entering the country.
• Plant and plant products: These also need approval from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).
• Hams: Imported hams are not duty-free and are subject to an additional 35% import tax.
• Turkeys: These have an extra 40% duty applied to them.
• Cats and dogs: A special import permit from the Agriculture Department in Belmopan is required, along with a general health certificate issued within two weeks of arrival and a rabies vaccination certificate issued at least one month before your visit.
• Wooden furniture: Wooden furniture included in household effects requires an import license from the Ministry of Trade.
• Boneless beef and certain beef products: There are restrictions on importing beef derived from cattle under 30 months of age.
• Alcohol: There are quantity restrictions for duty-free alcohol. For instance, travellers from non-European Union countries can bring 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of dessert wine, and 2 litres of wine duty-free.
• Tobacco: There are quantity limits for tobacco products. For example, travellers from non-European Union countries can bring 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 250 grams of tobacco, and 50 cigars duty-free.
• Drones: Drones are prohibited unless you have a special permit from the Civil Aviation Department.
• Processed food items: These are restricted, and you may need to declare them.
• Live animals: Live animals are restricted and require an import permit.
• Money: Amounts exceeding $10,000 BZ or its foreign currency equivalent must be declared.
• Medication: While medication for personal use is allowed, controlled substances may be restricted or prohibited.
• Firearms and ammunition: These must be declared and may be subject to restrictions.
• Other prohibited items include illegal drugs, explosives, knives and deadly weapons, hazardous materials, counterfeit money and goods, and pornographic material.

It is important to review the most recent customs regulations and contact the Belize Customs Department if you have any questions or concerns about restricted items.

Items that are duty-free

When entering Belize, you must present the proper documentation to the customs officers, who will inspect your luggage and collect any necessary taxes or import duties. There are two categories of passengers: those with items to declare and those carrying duty-free items.

• Cash up to US $10,000
• 1 litre of spirits (over 22% alcohol content), 2 litres of dessert wine (22% alcohol content or less), and 2 litres of wine
• 250ml of eau de toilette and 60cc of perfume
• 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, and 250g of tobacco
• Cameras, computers, and other electronic equipment
• Fishing and diving gear for personal use
• Basic foodstuffs such as bread, rice, flour, fresh meat, and condensed milk
• Medicine and medical supplies for personal use
• Animal feeding material

It is important to note that while these items are duty-free, you may still need to declare them on the customs form you receive before arrival. Additionally, some items, such as drones, require a special permit from the Civil Aviation Department to be allowed into the country.

Items that require an import permit

When entering Belize, you must declare certain items to customs officers, who will inspect luggage and collect any necessary taxes or import duties. If you are importing goods into Belize, you will need an import permit. The following items require an import permit:

• Live animals, including cats and dogs. Cats and dogs also require a general health certificate issued within two weeks prior to your arrival, and a rabies vaccination certificate issued at least one month before your visit.
• Foodstuffs, including meat and meat products, and milk and poultry products.
• Plant and plant materials, which will also require permission from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).
• Veterinary vaccines.
• Wooden furniture included in household effects, which require an import license from the Ministry of Trade.
• Telecommunication equipment.
• Hams, which are subject to an extra 35% import tax.
• Turkeys, which are subject to an extra 40% duty.
• Drones, which must have a special permit from the Civil Aviation Department.

Frequently asked questions