AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life Living in Belize Tariffs and Other Taxes?

I'm coming to Belize on June 1st. I am very excited. I also need to find out about what I should expect to pay for the various items I'm bringing with me:

1) Some various electronics and computer stuff
2) My prescription medications
3)Personal effects like clothes, toiletries etc

Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can find information about what I will need to pay?

I go to the States twice a year for supplies and bring back about 3 to 5 hundred lbs on the plane. Dispite what I hear I have always been been treated more than fair by customs. First go through the declare line, dont try to sneak anything in. Try to get the young thin Belizean girl. For Computer or electronics if you are taking them back out of the country with you there is no fee. its about 30% if they are staying, have receipts, if items are old at least have all items and value written on paper, customs seldom argue the prices as long as they make some sort of sense. Nothing is charged on medicine, nothing on personal cloths, do not say you are brining gifts to Belizeans.

I was charged duty at the Corozal border on prescription medicines, all clearly labelled with my name and address, and with a copy of the doctor's prescription.

What percentage of the cost of the drugs did they charge you at the border?

I was told you could bring 2 x 50lb bags which = 100lbs, can you tell me what the other 2-5 hundred lbs cost you Cooper.

John

I think I was charged about 10% of what they estimated the resale value might be, but they were very vague. They asked me what the drugs cost and I truthfully replied "nothing", but I'm sure they didn't believe me. I ended up paying about US$40. When I asked them for a receipt they threatened me with charging much more, so I'm in little doubt where the "duty" ended up. Whenever I import something for my business I'm usually quoted two rates - with or without a receipt.

I usually pass through the corozal border after a shopping trip in Mexico. I am always assessed on some of the items that I buy. I would say that duty typically runs a little under 10% of the amount that I actually spent. I have never been offered two duty prices and I have always received a receipt.

I have heard that the customs guys sometimes take advantage of people - but that has never been my experience. I have found going in with a smile, being friendly and polite, being co-operative and generally truthful about expenditure and cost of items makes it a fairly painless process.

Last time I passed through that border we had gone to Playa Del Carmen for a quick vacation. We were waved through the border coming and going once we explained we simply had a couple of souveniers.

That didn't work as good for me Amanda. They wanted to charge me duty on my souvenier case of tequila and claimed that my other souvenier needed a visa.

Next time you may need to smuggle those items via Xcalak!

Last time I passed through the Corozal border I was just waved through - didn't even stop walking. I must have looked honest that day.