For the specifics on the Qualified Persons Retirement law, go to:
http://www.belizeretirement.org/inctvsreg.htm and in particular:
"1. PERSONAL HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS
Qualified Retired Persons under the program can qualify for duty and tax exemptions not exceeding US $15,000 on new and used personal and household effects admitted as such by the Product Development Officer in charge of the program. A list of all items with corresponding values that will be imported must be submitted with the application. One year limit is granted for the importation of personal effects..."
Couldn't be clearer, right? But here's the problem: "admitted as such by the Product Development Officer in charge of the program."
See any CRITERIA for how that "product development officer" is to make his or her decision?
Now, you could start out by calling the Belize Tourist Booard and asking who the "product development officer" is and then contacting him or her and saying: "please call customs and tell them not to assess any duty." Maybe you will get lucky, so there's no harm in asking. But if you get anything but a "yes we will do it right away, I suggest you get an attorney, because that is the next step."
And if they say: "Why don't you just pay us now and we'll evaluate your claim for a refund" DON'T!!! You'll be shuffling off to Buffalo before you get your dough back and if you do get it back, it will have "shrunk." (Unless you are really desperate to get the stuff in..or you are being charged "holding fees," which is another way to screw you and force you to pay up when you don't owe....)