I am coming down in a few days and have had a request to bring down an alternator for a piece of equipment. The lead time to get the part otherwise is something like 6 weeks if ordered locally. Does anyone have any personal experience with this? Did you have any problems with the TSA etc., if it was in your checked bag?

I've had water pumps in my suitcase before and TSA didn't have a problem with it but you can expect your luggage to be opened at every stop. I would be sure to keep the receipt and/or paperwork with the part so they know exactly what it is.

It's been quite a while but the only issue I had was getting dinged for some serious duties at customs. If I recall correctly the duty was more than 50% so make sure you have cash on hand.

This list provides rates on goods commonly imported as accompanied baggage.


Note: Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD) is calculated as follow:
Computed value based on cost, insurance and freight or shipping (CIF value) + Import Duty X RRD rate
Sales Tax is calculated as follow:
CIF + Import Duty (ID) + RRD (where applicable) X 9%
Environmental Tax is calculated as 2% of the CIF value

Description Import Dutyrate - Revenue Replacement Duty rate - Sales Tax rate - Environ. Tax rate
Apparel (clothing) 20% --- 9% 2%
Baby Backpacks 20% --- 9% 2%
Baby Strollers 5% --- 9% 2%
Baby Car Seats 20% --- 9% 2%
Bags, Briefcases 20% --- 9% 2%
Battery Chargers 5% --- 9% 2%
Bicycles
20%
--- 9% 2%
Binoculars 5%
--- 9% 2%
Cameras (photographic) 20%
5% 9% 2%
Cassette Player/Recorder 20%
--- 9% 2%
Cassette Tapes (recorded) 20% --- 9% 2%
Cassette Tapes (unrecorded) 5% --- 9% 2%
Cell Phones 20% --- 9% 2%
Compact Disc (recorded) --- --- 9% 2%
Compact Disc (unrecorded) --- --- 9% 2%
Compact Disc Players 20% --- 9% 2%
Computers, Printers, Scanners --- --- 9% 2%
Digital Cameras 20% 5% 9% 2%
DVD Players
20% --- 9% 2%
Fax Machine 5%
--- 9% 2%
Fax/Phone combined 5% --- 14% 2%
Firearms, Air Revolvers and pistols, Rifles, Shotguns 50% 20% 9% 2%
Fishing Line (nylon) 5% --- 9% 2%
Fishing Reels --- --- 9% 2%
Fishing Rods --- --- 9% 2%
Golf Bags (leather or plastic) 20% --- 9% 2%
Golf Clubs and Balls
10% --- 9% 2%
Hand Tools (electric)
5% --- 9% 2%
Hand bags (leather) 20% --- 9% 2%
Headphones 20% --- 9% 2%
Jewelry 50% 10% 14% 2%
Microwave Ovens 20% --- 9% 2%
Modems (fax) 5% --- 9% 2%
Musical Instruments (except steel band instruments) 10% --- 9% 2%
Navigational Equipment (radio navigation apparatus) 5% --- 9% 2%
Pocket Knives 5% --- 9% 2%
Racquets 10% --- 9% 2%
Radio Transceivers (hand-held, citizen band) 20% --- 9% 2%
Radio Transceivers (other) 20% --- 9% 2%
Radios (car radios, radio cassette players) 20% --- 9% 2%
Radios (portable) 20% --- 9% 2%
Roller Blades, Roller Skates 10% --- 9% 2%
Skateboards 10% --- 9% 2%
Ski Equipment 10% --- 9% 2%
Skis (water) 10% --- 9% 2%
Sleeping Bags
20% --- 9% 2%
Software 45% ---
9%
2%
Sunglasses
20%
---
9%
2%
Surfboards 10%
---
9%
2%
Telephone Answering Sets 5% --- 14% 2%
Telephone /Fax 5% --- 14% 2%
Telephones, including Cell, Mobile, Radio, Satellite 5% --- 9% 2%
Television Sets
20%
---
9%
2%
Toasters (electric) 20% --- 9% 2%
Toys 20% --- 9% 2%
Amplifiers 45% --- 9% 2%
TV Games 20% --- 9% 2%
Video Cameras 20% --- 9% 2%
Video Machines 20% --- 9% 2%
Video Tapes (recorded) 45% --- 9% 2%
Video Tapes (unrecorded) 5% --- 9% 2%
Walkman Cassette Radios (pocket)
20% --- 9% 2%
Discman CD Radios (pocket) 20% --- 9% 2%

http://www.customs.gov.bz/baggage.html

If you think you may be entitled to a lower rate of duty on importation into Belize then arrange this ahead of time and carry a letter/permit with you. I'm not at all sure of the rules as they seem to change, but something which is wholly intended to support tourism (eg. a part for a tour boat) may be free of some taxes.

I always find the contrast amazing on this. For such a usually laid back place and as easy as it is to get through customs(I do not think it has ever been more than 3 minutes) they have a million and one cryptic regulations. I understand why they exist, in order to help "protect" the local economy and all but I guess I never really consider all the paperwork behind it since I have always glided thorugh because I had nothing to declare. It just seems so counter to the average speed of things on island time.