Duty on Health and Medical Items
Medicine, vitamins, monitors, glasses, lenses and medical supplies.
Almost every health item in the list comes in duty free, and since September 1, 2025 many of them, including insulin, blood glucose meters, blood pressure monitors, bandages and disposable underwear, pay the reduced 5% VAT. The table marks which.
Prescription medicines should travel with a copy of the prescription alongside the invoice. Some liquids and aerosols count as hazardous goods for the flight, which adds a handling charge.
The items people ask about most
- Medicineduty free
- Vitaminsduty free
- Supplementsduty free
- Blood Glucose Metersduty free, 5% VAT
- Blood Pressure Monitorsduty free, 5% VAT
- Insulinduty free, 5% VAT
- Contact Lensduty free
- Eye Glasses (Prescription)duty free
- Hearing Aidsduty free
- Exercise Machinesduty free
Every health rate
35 items. Rates checked October 2026 against Bahamas Customs. Search, or tap an item to see what it would cost to bring home.
Tap an item to see what it would cost to bring home.
| Item | Duty | Levy |
|---|---|---|
| Health · 5% VAT | Free | None |
| Health · 5% VAT | Free | None |
| Health · 5% VAT | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health · 5% VAT | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health · since July 2026 | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health · 5% VAT | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health · 5% VAT | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | 25% | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health · 5% VAT on antibiotics, insulin, vaccines and some others since September 2025 | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
| Health | Free | None |
Showing 35 of 35 items.
Recent rate changes
- Chair-Lift (for Persons with Disability and Elderly Persons): duty free, since July 2026
- Medicine: duty free, 5% VAT on antibiotics, insulin, vaccines and some others since September 2025
Example: a $60 blood pressure monitor weighing 2 lb
What it costs to bring home with Mr. Ship It, freight and customs together:
| Freight (2 lb) | $8.99 |
| Package protection | $1.50 |
| VAT on our services | $1.05 |
| Duty (duty free) | $0.00 |
| Customs processing fee | $10.00 |
| Customs VAT (5% of the landed cost) | $3.95 |
| Total on top of the $60.00 price | $25.49 |
Freight is charged on the actual or box-size weight, whichever is greater. Get a figure for your own order from the shipping calculator.
Questions
- Which health items are duty free in The Bahamas?
- Bandages, Bed Pads (Disposable), Blood Glucose Meters, Blood Glucose Test Strips, Blood Pressure Monitors, Caps (Surgical), Catheters, Chair-Lift (for Persons with Disability and Elderly Persons), Condoms, Contact Lens, Cough Drops and Defibrillator, and 22 more in the table come in duty free. VAT and the processing fee still apply.
- What is the highest duty rate on health?
- 25%, on Mask - Cloth. VAT is then charged on the duty as well as the item.
- Does VAT apply on top of duty?
- Yes. VAT of 10% (5% on listed health and hygiene goods) is charged on the landed cost: the price you paid plus duty, the processing fee, any environmental levy and freight.
- Who decides the final duty?
- Bahamas Customs. It classifies every shipment from the supplier's invoice. These rates are a guide to help you estimate before you buy; when you ship with Mr. Ship It we declare your package and show the charges on your bill.
Duty rates by category
Rates are based on information published by Bahamas Customs and are a guide only. Customs decides the final classification and charges for every shipment. For official rates, visit bahamascustoms.gov.bs.
Related pages
Shop the USA, we clear customs for you
Create your free account and get your US address in minutes.