Bahamas Customs Duty Rates 2026: Full List & Calculator

Q: How can I estimate my duty before I ship?

Use our free Duty Calculator. Pick your item, enter its value and it shows the duty, VAT and any levy.

If you're shipping anything to The Bahamas, from a pair of sneakers to a new TV, you'll pay customs duty when it arrives. This guide lists the 2026 duty rates for the items our customers ship most, taken from the same table our [Duty Calculator](/duty-calculator) uses, and shows how to estimate your total before you buy. ## How Bahamas customs duty works Bahamas Customs charges duty on almost everything imported into the country. The rate depends on the item's tariff code, and it's charged on the item's **CIF value**: - **C**ost: what you paid for the item - **I**nsurance: any insurance on the shipment - **F**reight: the shipping cost to The Bahamas On top of duty, most items also pay VAT, and some pay a fixed environmental levy. ## Bahamas duty rates 2026: common items These rates come straight from our Duty Calculator (example — check the Duty Calculator). Rates depend on the exact tariff code, so a similar-looking item can fall under a different rate. | Item | Duty rate | Environmental levy | Tariff code | |---|---|---|---| | Clothing | 20% | None | 6203.1900 | | Shoes | 20% | None | 6404.1100 | | Clothing Accessories | 20% | None | 4818.5000 | | Jewelry | 0% | None | 7113.1100 | | Cosmetics | 20% | None | 3304.9990 | | Decorations | 45% | None | 9505.9000 | | Furniture (Household) | 25% | None | 9403.8900 | | Cell Phone | 10% | $5 per item | 8517.1200 | | Cell Phone Case | 20% | None | 3926.9090 | | Laptops | 0% | $5 per item | 8471.3000 | | Tablets | 0% | $5 per item | 8471.3000 | | Televisions | 35% | $5 per item | 8528.7200 | | Books (Reading) | 0% | None | 4901.9910 | | Diapers | 0% | None | 9619.0010 | | Baby Formula | 0% | None | 1901.1000 | | Kitchenware | 0% | None | 6911.1000 | Can't find your item? Search for it in the [Duty Calculator](/duty-calculator), which covers far more items than this list. ## What else you pay: VAT and the environmental levy **VAT** is charged at 10% on the landed value: the CIF value plus duty. **The environmental levy** is a fixed amount per item on some goods. In the table above it applies to cell phone ($5), laptops ($5), tablets ($5) and televisions ($5). You'll also see a customs processing fee on your invoice. Your invoice shows every charge before delivery. ## How to estimate your duty 1. **Find the item** in the [Duty Calculator](/duty-calculator) to get its duty rate and any levy. 2. **Add up the CIF value**: item price plus insurance plus freight. Our [pricing page](/pricing) shows how freight is charged. 3. **Duty** = CIF value × duty rate. 4. **VAT** = (CIF value + duty) × 10%. 5. **Add the environmental levy**, if the item has one. The [Duty Calculator](/duty-calculator) does all of these steps for you. ## Duty-free items Of the items above, these currently pay 0% duty: jewelry, laptops, tablets, books (reading), diapers, baby formula and kitchenware. VAT and any environmental levy may still apply. ## How to keep costs down 1. **Check the rate before you buy.** Look the item up in the [Duty Calculator](/duty-calculator) so there are no surprises. 2. **Consolidate your packages.** We combine packages into one shipment, so you're not paying processing on each one separately. See [pricing](/pricing). 3. **Upload your product invoice.** Customs charges duty on the declared value, so an accurate invoice means you're charged correctly. You can upload it in your customer portal. 4. **Let us handle clearance.** [Bahamas Purchasing](/services) knows the tariff codes and does the paperwork on your behalf. ## Prohibited and restricted items Some items can't be imported into The Bahamas, including illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, firearms without proper permits, certain pesticides and chemicals, and endangered species products. Check our [FAQ](/faq) if you're unsure. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How is customs duty calculated in The Bahamas? Duty is a percentage of the item's CIF value (cost + insurance + freight). The percentage depends on the item's tariff code. VAT at 10% is then added on the CIF value plus duty. ### What is the duty on clothing and shoes? In our Duty Calculator, clothing is 20% and shoes are 20%, plus VAT at 10%. ### Do laptops and phones pay duty in The Bahamas? Laptops are 0% duty with a $5 environmental levy. Cell phones are 10% duty with a $5 environmental levy. VAT at 10% applies to both. ### Is VAT charged on top of duty? Yes. VAT is 10% of the landed value, which is the CIF value plus duty. ### What is the environmental levy? It's a fixed charge per item on some goods, such as cell phone, laptops, tablets and televisions. The Duty Calculator adds it automatically. ### How can I estimate my duty before I ship? Use our free [Duty Calculator](/duty-calculator). Pick your item, enter its value and it shows the duty, VAT and any levy. ### Do I need a product invoice for customs? Yes. Customs uses the invoice to confirm the item's value. Upload it in your customer portal so your package can be cleared at the right rate. --- [Sign up for free](/auth/signup) and we'll handle customs clearance, duty and paperwork for you. Questions? [Contact us](/contact).