Understanding Bahamas Customs Duty on Your Packages

Customs charges are often the most confusing part of shopping abroad. Here is a plain-language breakdown of what you pay when your package lands in The Bahamas, and why.

Customs duty

Duty is a percentage of the value of your item, set by Bahamas Customs and based on the type of goods. Different categories carry different rates, so a pair of shoes and a laptop are not taxed the same way. When you use our shipping calculator, we apply the correct duty rate for the item type you choose.

Value added tax (VAT)

VAT is applied on top of the landed cost of your shipment. In practice that means the item value, freight, duty, and applicable fees are added together, and VAT is calculated on that total. It is a standard part of importing goods and applies to almost everything.

The other line items

• Processing fee: a flat handling charge, or a small percentage of the invoice value, whichever is greater.
• Package protection: optional coverage that protects the value of your shipment in transit.
• Environmental levy: a small charge applied to certain goods.

How to avoid surprises

The single best thing you can do is keep your invoice. An accurate invoice lets us declare the true value of your goods and process customs correctly. Guessing at values leads to delays and, sometimes, higher charges.

Before you buy, run the numbers through our shipping calculator. It adds up freight, duty, VAT, and fees so you see the all-in cost before you spend a dollar.