Declarations
Before you arrive in Belize you are issued a Passenger Arrival form that must be filled out (one form per family). You must indicate whether you are bringing any of the following:

Importation of Currency
Under the Customs Laws of Belize, all persons are required to declare any currency in their possession in excess of $10,000.00 BZ or foreign currency equivalent. No duties are payable on the importation of currency. If you are carrying in excess of $10,000.00 BZ. or foreign equivalent you must complete a "Report of Currency Importation" form C300, to be supplied by a Customs Officer.

Red Line/ Green Line System
The "Green Line notice" means persons arriving at a place of entry who:

A) Make sure that for question #9 the box labeled "yes" is checked.

B) There is no "quantity" of ham or turkey allowed "duty free" through any point of entry. Passengers must refer to the reverse side of the C200 form (declaration form) and see the List of Duty Exemptions section. Number (2) specifies that if you are a Belizean passing through the airport, you are entitled to duty exemption on accompanied goods acquired abroad for personal or household use or as souvenirs or gifts, with an aggregate value of $200.00 BZ twice a year. Therefore, if the passenger has made his first or second trip abroad for the year, and if his ham or turkey has a value of up to $200.00 BZ, it may be exempted. However, if the passenger has made his third or fourth trip for the year, then his ham or turkey becomes dutiable.

C) The same policy applies for passengers who enter Belize through other points of entry, except that the total aggregate value is $50.00 and the allowable time is twice a month instead of twice a year.

D) Sections "B" AND "C" above only applies to Belizeans and persons in possession of Belizean residency and passport. Any other persons are required to pay the applicable duties for these items.

E) Duty on Ham:

 

Import Duty - 35% of value
Sales Tax -- 9% of (Import Duty + value)
Environmental Tax - 2% of value

Duty on Turkey:

 

Import Duty - 40% of value
Sales Tax - 9% of (Import Duty + value)
Environmental Tax - 2% of value

F) Section "E" above applies only if Belize Agricultural Health
Authority allows the ham or turkey to be imported into the country.

Animals and Pets
Many people visit Belize and bring their pets along for the trip. The following will apply where Customs is concerned:

A) Make sure that for question #9 the box labeled "yes" is checked.

B) If the pet arrives at the airport and is accompanying the passenger, it is not treated as cargo requiring airway bills or any other shipping or freight documents; therefore the pet is not considered dutiable. However, if the pet arrives as cargo with airway bills and other freight or shipping documents then it is considered dutiable for which the following duty and taxes apply:

Import Duty - 40% of value
Sales Tax - 9% of (Import Duty + value)
Environmental Tax - 2% of value

A) Passengers should note that all fruits will be confiscated by
BAHA upon inspection.

B) In regards to leafy vegetables, they may be released at the discretion
of the BAHA Officer after he has inspected them.

C) During the Christmas season, passengers coming through the International Airport and the border points are allowed one ham or turkey per family.(Protection of local market)

D) It is recommended that passengers contact BAHA at 501-224-4794 or
Fax: 501-224-5230 or email: foodsafety@btl.net to request a permit to import ham or turkey. BAHA will issue the permit by fax. If BAHA faxes the permit to the passenger's location abroad, the passenger will have to pay a fee of $50.00BZ to BAHA at the point of entry when they present their goods for BAHA inspection. If BAHA faxes the permit to the point of entry, (will be at BAHA office when passenger arrives) the passenger has to pay a fee of $15.00 BZ.

E) If the passenger arrives without a permit for the ham or turkey, the
BAHA Officer may allow the release of the ham or turkey based on its packaging (bearing a label with the USDA approval stamp) and providing that the passenger has indicated on the Customs C200 (declaration form) that he is importing ham or turkey. In this case there will be a $20.00BZ fee for the permit for the ham or turkey. If the ham or turkey has not been declared at all and has been discovered, then BAHA's fee is $50.00BZ. (This fee is subject to change depending on the quantity imported.) If the ham's or turkey's packaging does not bear the USDA stamp on its label, then BAHA will automatically confiscate it.

For passenger who intend to visit with pets:

A) In the case of dogs and cats, passengers are required to present the
animal's most recent health and vaccination certificate. Obtaining a permit for these pets from BAHA is the same as is described above for obtaining a permit for ham or turkey.

B) In the case of monkeys, passengers are to obtain a Cites (a special permit which comes with a letter stipulating conditions) from the Ministry of Natural Resources (under whose umbrella institutions like Belize Audubon Society fall). A permit from BAHA is also required and passengers must present the monkey's recent health and vaccination certificates. Remember that these permits must be obtained before hand in so as not to delay the clearing process. Links and numbers to important Government department and ministries will be provided below.

C) In the case of birds, passengers must provide a Cites from the country
of origin along with its health certificate. A permit from BAHA is also required (obtain before arrival). Note that these permits will specify whatever conditions the passenger needs to satisfyy before importing their pets or items. Note that BAHA will not allow any birds to be imported from Mexico. However, passengers passing through Mexico to Belize with pet birds will be allowed to import their birds providing they present BAHA with the documents aforementioned.