Belizean Customs: Regulations, Export-Import Procedures by Customs of Belize (2024)

FAQs

What is the import restrictions in Belize? ›

The list of restricted items includes 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, and fuel.

The country's main exports are seafood, sugar, citrus products, bananas, and clothing, and its chief imports include machinery and transport equipment, food, fuels and lubricants, and chemicals.

Customs duties and taxes are collected based on the transaction value which is derived from the value stated on the invoice (once authenticated), receipt or other proof of purchase. The dollar value must be converted from the foreign currency stated on the proof of purchase document to Belize Currency (BZD).

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). A detailed list of items included can be found on http://www.customs.gov.bz.

The United States remained Belize's lead trading partner for 2022 and was the largest exporter to Belize, accounting for $575 million or 42 percent of overall imports for the year, an increase from 35 percent.

From beaches and mangrove swamps to rainforests and mountains, Belize is known for its biodiversity. Ancient Mayan archeological sites, remote islands, waterfalls, and the world's second largest barrier reef attract visitors to the country's natural beauty.

How long does it take to clear the Customs/Immigration area? It can take between 30 minutes to an hour to clear the Customs/Immigration area. Here is a bit of useful information for those new to the airport: Once a passenger has landed in Belize, they will first clear through Immigration.

What are some customs in Belize? ›

customs procedure means the measures applied by the. customs authority of a Party to goods and to the means of. transport that are subject to its customs laws and.

“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”.

Yearly Trade

The most recent exports are led by Raw Sugar ($81.2M), Bananas ($41.7M), Bran ($24.8M), Refined Petroleum ($21.2M), and Crustaceans ($20.2M). The most common destination for the exports of Belize are United States ($86.5M), United Kingdom ($64.3M), Guatemala ($39.2M), Spain ($28.7M), and Honduras ($19.9M).

For more information about traveling to Belize, please visit Belize's country specific information . For more general information about Belize, visit Belize Background Notes and Belize Country Commercial Guide . All U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport for the duration of their stay in Belize.

All food items are regulated by law in Belize and must be accompanied by a valid import permit. Therefore if you bring food or products of animal or plant origin in your luggage you must declare them upon arrival to Belize.

Import of Wild Animals (including their parts and products) as defined in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is prohibited. 29. 0106 31 00 Birds of prey Restricted Import of Wild Animals (including their parts and products) as defined in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is prohibited.

Many countries have restrictions on what you can bring into that country. These restrictions may include food, pets, and medications. Even some over-the-counter medications are not allowed in some countries.

The Government of Belize utilizes an Import Licensing Regime that serves as non-tariff barriers to protect the domestic market. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprises (MAFSE) includes the Supplies Control Unit, which has responsibility for Belize's import licensing regime.