Damon Mcknight
When travelling to Belize, it's important to be aware of the country's customs regulations. All visitors must have a valid passport, and may be asked to show an onward or return plane ticket. US citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 30 days, but they must provide proof of their intent to depart and proof of sufficient funds. Visitors from other countries may need a visa, and all tourists must pay an exit fee of around $40. There are restrictions on what can be brought into the country, including illegal drugs, weapons, and certain food and plant products. Visitors can import some items duty-free, such as personal electronics and fishing/diving gear, but drones are prohibited. It is also illegal to remove any pre-Columbian artefacts or jaguar products from Belize.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items to declare | Items for declaration should have an invoice and should be listed on the Customs Declaration Form |
| Declaration Form | One Form may be filled out for family members travelling together and where children are under 18 years of age. Passengers over 18 years need to complete their own Declaration Form |
| Passport | Passengers are required to possess a valid passport along with the Customs Declaration Form and relevant receipts where applicable |
| Payment methods | Items attracting tax or duty may be paid for in cash, VISA and MASTER cards, or certified cheques |
| Currency | Travellers can freely import and export up to 100 BZD per person in local currency and can import and export an unlimited amount of foreign cash providing it is declared upon arrival. Residents can export up to BZD 400 in local currency. “Under the Customs Laws of Belize, all persons are required to declare any currency in their possession in excess of $10,000.00 BZ or foreign currency equivalent |
| Import duty exemption | Visitors travelling from countries in the Caribbean Common Market are exempted from paying import duty on certain items providing the importer produces a Certificate of Origin from the country within the Common Market |
| Prohibited items | Illegal drugs, guns, explosives and ammunition, knives and deadly weapons, plant and plant products, meat and meat products, milk and poultry products, hazardous materials, counterfeit money and goods, and pornographic material |
| Restricted items | Hams being imported into the country are not duty-free and will require an extra 35% import tax before being granted admission. Turkeys have an extra 40% duty applied to them. All plant and plant products will require permission from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). Meat and meat-based products being imported will also require permission from the BAHA before being granted admission. All cats and dogs being imported will require a special import permit from the Agriculture Department Belmopan. A general health certificate issued two weeks prior to your arrival is also required alongside a rabies vaccination certificate issued no less than a month before your visit begins. Restrictions are placed on the importation of wooden furniture included in household effects and require an import license from the Ministry of Trade prior to importation. |
What You'll Learn
- Items to declare include cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, alcohol, and medicine
- Foreign currency exceeding $10,000 BZ must be declared
- Prohibited items include illegal drugs, weapons, and counterfeit money
- Restricted items include meat, plant products, and wooden furniture
- Conditional duty exemptions include personal and household effects
Items to declare include cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, alcohol, and medicine
When travelling to Belize, it's important to be aware of the items that need to be declared at customs. Some items that fall under this category include cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, alcohol, and medicine.
For those who enjoy smoking, you are allowed to bring up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco into Belize. If you're planning on bringing alcoholic beverages, the limit is one litre of wine or spirits per person. It's important to keep in mind that these allowances are for personal consumption only, and any excess quantities may be subject to taxes or import duties.
Medicines and medical supplies for personal use are also among the items that need to be declared. Make sure you have the necessary documentation, such as prescriptions or doctor's notes, to support the reason for carrying these items.
In addition to the items mentioned, travellers are required to declare any currency exceeding $10,000 BZ or its foreign currency equivalent. This includes both cash and travellers' cheques. It is important to be transparent about the amount of money you are carrying to avoid any potential issues with customs officials.
It is worth noting that there are also prohibited and restricted items that are not allowed to be brought into Belize. These include illegal drugs, weapons, knives, explosives, and hazardous materials. Certain food products, such as meat, milk, and plant-based items, are also restricted and require permission from the relevant authorities before being granted admission.
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Foreign currency exceeding $10,000 BZ must be declared
When travelling to Belize, it is important to be aware of the customs regulations regarding foreign currency. While travellers can freely import and export an unlimited amount of foreign cash, any amount exceeding $10,000 BZ must be declared upon arrival. This is in accordance with the Customs Laws of Belize, which require all persons to declare any currency in their possession that exceeds this amount.
It is important to note that the declaration of foreign currency must be done accurately and truthfully. Incomplete or inaccurate declarations can result in serious consequences, including heavy fines and/or confiscation of funds. Therefore, travellers should ensure that they fill out the necessary forms, such as the Customs Declaration Form, completely and honestly. This form can be filled out by family members travelling together, including children under 18 years of age. However, passengers over 18 years of age are required to complete their own Declaration Form.
The Customs Declaration Form should include a detailed list of all foreign currency being declared, including the amount, denomination, and type of currency. It is also important to have the necessary documentation, such as invoices or receipts, for the foreign currency being declared. This will ensure that the declaration process is smooth and efficient.
In addition to the Customs Declaration Form, travellers may also need to complete other documentation, such as a Disembarkation Card, before presenting to the Belize Customs Authority. This card must be completed by all passengers arriving in Belize and should include a declaration of the total sum of money being brought into the country. It is important to be aware of the requirements and regulations of the country you are visiting to ensure a smooth entry and exit.
When travelling with foreign currency exceeding $10,000 BZ, it is advisable to consult the official website of the Belize Customs Department or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information and guidelines. This will ensure that you have the most accurate and reliable information regarding the declaration process and any other requirements or restrictions that may apply.
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Prohibited items include illegal drugs, weapons, and counterfeit money
When travelling to Belize, it is important to be aware of customs regulations to avoid legal issues and potential fines. Certain goods are prohibited from import into Belize, including illegal drugs, weapons, and counterfeit money.
Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited from import into Belize. This includes dangerous drugs and psychotropic substances as defined and prohibited in the Misuse of Drugs Act. Travellers should also be aware that certain medicines, especially those containing drugs, may be restricted or prohibited. Antibiotics, for example, must be from a pharmaceutical firm approved by the Minister.
Weapons are also prohibited from import into Belize. This includes guns, explosives, and ammunition, as well as knives and other deadly weapons. Even certain types of pencils and pens that can be used as weapons are prohibited. Live animals, including pets, are also restricted and require special permits and health certificates.
Counterfeit money and goods are prohibited from import into Belize. This includes any currency, bank notes, or other financial instruments that are counterfeit or fictitious. It is important to declare any amount of currency over the equivalent of $10,000 BZ to comply with customs regulations.
In addition to these prohibited items, there are several restricted items that may require special permits or licences to import into Belize. These include agricultural products, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and certain types of food and medicine. It is important to carefully research the specific regulations and restrictions before travelling to Belize to ensure compliance with customs requirements.
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Restricted items include meat, plant products, and wooden furniture
When travelling to Belize, it is important to be aware of the country's customs regulations. Some items are prohibited, while others are restricted or duty-free.
Restricted Items
Restricted items include meat, meat products, plant products, and wooden furniture. These items require special permission or import licences from relevant Belizean authorities. For instance, meat and meat products require permission from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) before being granted admission. Similarly, all plant and plant products need permission from the BAHA, and wooden furniture included in household effects requires an import licence from the Ministry of Trade.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited items include illegal drugs, guns, explosives, ammunition, knives, deadly weapons, hazardous materials, counterfeit money and goods, and pornographic material. These items are not allowed to be brought into Belize.
Duty-Free Items
Belize also allows certain items to be brought into the country duty-free, with some limitations. Travellers can bring in a limited quantity of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, wine, spirits, and certain food items. In addition, travellers can freely import and export local and foreign currencies, provided they declare amounts exceeding the equivalent of $10,000 BZ.
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Conditional duty exemptions include personal and household effects
When travelling to Belize, it is important to be aware of the country's customs regulations and requirements. Conditional duty exemptions for personal and household effects are permitted under specific conditions. Here is some detailed information regarding this:
Personal Effects:
Personal effects refer to items such as clothing, jewellery, photography equipment, and portable radios. These items are typically not considered household effects and are subject to duty if brought into Belize. However, duty may be waived on personal effects that are more than one year old. It is important to note that vehicles are also classified as personal effects and are dutiable.
Household Effects:
Household effects include items such as furniture, carpets, paintings, tableware, stereos, linens, and other similar household furnishings. These items can be imported duty-free under certain conditions. To qualify for duty exemption, household effects must have been used by the traveller abroad for at least one year and must not be intended for anyone else or for sale.
Motor Vehicles:
Motor vehicles are subject to special conditions. A returning national is permitted to import one non-commercial motor vehicle per family, with a maximum value of US$30,000, duty-free. This exemption is applicable for both new and used vehicles. The vehicle must be imported within three months before or after the traveller establishes residence in Belize. It is important to note that a Customs Service Charge will apply to all duty-exempt vehicles.
Tools of Trade:
Tools of trade, instruments, and equipment necessary for the pursuit of a declared profession or trade are also eligible for duty exemption. This exemption includes items such as tools, instruments, and equipment but does not cover plant, machinery, or heavy-duty vehicles. The type and quantity of tools of trade allowed will be determined in consultation with the relevant authorities in Belize.
It is important to carefully review the regulations and restrictions of Belize Customs before travelling to the country. Understanding these requirements will ensure a smooth entry process and avoid any potential issues or delays when declaring personal and household effects.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to declare any currency in your possession that exceeds $10,000 BZ or the foreign currency equivalent. Failure to do so may result in confiscation of the item and potential legal consequences.
Prohibited items include illegal drugs, guns, explosives, ammunition, knives and other deadly weapons, plant and plant products, meat and meat products, milk and poultry products, hazardous materials, counterfeit money and goods, and pornographic material.
Items that are restricted from entering Belize include hams, turkeys, plant and plant products, meat and meat-based products, cats and dogs, wooden furniture, and certain beef products.
Common items that can be brought into Belize duty-free include personal goods and belongings, cameras, computers, electronic equipment, fishing gear, and diving gear.
