Welcome to the Out Islands of The Bahamas

Bahamas Customs
Baggage declaration by temporary visitors is oral, but the baggage is subject to Customs inspections. In case there are dutiable articles, the visitor will be required to complete a Baggage Claim Form. Each adult is allowed 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes or one pound in weight of tobacco and one quart of spirits free of Customs Duty in addition to personal effects. In addition, purchases up to a value of one hundred dollars ($100) are permitted by all visitors. Household effects, such as china, furniture, linens and appliances with valid invoices and used household effects are subject to assessment by Customs Officers.
US Customs
Residents of the US may take home merchandise valued up to $600 retail, duty free. This exemption applies to each family member, even infants. Family members living in the same household may pool exemptions to reduce the duty on an expensive item or carry in more items. All items must accompany the traveller to be eligible and must be for personal use or gifts and not for sale. The $600 exemption may only be claimed if you have been out of the US for 48 hours and may only be claimed every 30 days. Purchases of up to $1,000 more than the $600 allowance will be taxed at a flat rate of 10 percent based on the fair retail value in The Bahamas. Separate from the $600 exception, you may also mail gift packages of $100 value or less duty free. They must be marked ‘Unsolicited Gift’ and you may send as many as you wish but not more than one $100 gift package to the same person on the same day. Goods shipped for PERSONAL use may be mailed into the United States as TAX FREE if the total value is not more than $200. This exemption does not apply to perfume, alcoholic beverages or to cigars or cigarettes. If you do not meet the 48-hour and 30-day time requirements, you may take in $25 worth of items for your own personal or household use free of duty. This exemption may not be pooled. Exemption limit of 10 cigars (not Cuban), 50 cigarettes and 4 ounces of liquor or 4 oz of cologne, may be included. If you spend more than $25 you must pay duty on the entire amount. SPECIAL NOTES: Antiques are considered duty free as long as there is accompanying proof that they are over 100 years old. Certain items which are manufactured in The Bahamas are not dutiable such as conch shell jewellery, wood carvings and straw goods. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: US residents 21 years of age and over are entitled to include their duty free allowance 2 litres (967 fl.oz.) of liquor provided that one of the litres is the product of The Bahamas or another Caribbean Basin country. You may carry more than two litres provided you pay the duty and applicable taxes.TOBACCO: Regardless of your age, if you are eligible for the $600 exemption, you may include 100 cigars (not Cuban) and 200 cigarettes. PROHIBITED: Turtle shell goods, plants and fruits are not allowed into the US. REMEMBER: If you are carrying more than $10,000 in US or foreign currency, coins, traveller’s checks, etc. into the US, it MUST be reported to Customs. Please contact US Customs at 242-377-8461 if you have questions on importing any items.
UK Customs
UK residents returning from The Bahamas after an absence of more than 24 hours can take home duty and tax free 60 ml (2 fluid ozs) of perfume and 250 ml of toilet water. Persons over 17 years of age are allowed, duty free, 1 litre (over 22% proof) of liquor or 2 litres of alcoholic beverages not over 22% proof or fortified or sparkling wine, plus 2 litres of still wine. Persons over 17 are also allowed 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grammes of tobacco.UK residents can bring 145 pounds sterling worth of other goods including gifts, souvenirs, cider and beer, which must be carried in baggage and cleared by you at the time of your arrival. You are advised to pack dutiable goods separately. The importation into the United Kingdom of some goods is prohibited and restricted. These include counterfeit coins, dangerous drugs, firearms and ammunition, dangerous knives, plants and bulbs, radio transmitters, (including walkie talkies), meat and poultry (not fully cooked) and live animals.