Bahamas - Prohibited and Restricted Imports (2024)

FAQs

What is prohibited and restricted goods in The Bahamas? ›

Meat, provisions, fruits and vegetables, and any articles intended for human food, which are unfit for human consumption. Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographic or other engravings, or any other indecent or obscene article.

Receipts for declared items are required for processing. All household effects books, apparel, footwear, personal adornment, toilet articles and effects, not intended for resale or for any business purpose to the limit of $10,000.00; One Vehicle up to a limit in value of $30,000.00.

The Bahamas immigration process is straightforward, provided travelers have the necessary documentation. Visitors are required to present a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa, depending on their country of origin.

The main exports are minerals – including salt – animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables; the main imports are industrial equipment, manufactures, chemicals, fuels and food.

The Department of Immigration maintains a “Restricted List”, which contains the names of persons who must seek special permission to enter the Bahamas. These are typically persons who would have been lawfully deported or removed from The Bahamas.

Restricted means that special licenses or permits are required from a federal agency before the item is allowed to enter the United States. Examples of restricted items include firearms, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, animal by products, and some animals.

The Bahamas Customs Clearance Form: You must complete the Bahamas Customs Clearance form before arrival. You'll need to provide information about the condition and history of your boat, a declaration of health, a passenger list, and other relevant details.

U.S. Bound Passengers

When flying out of LPIA, if you're U.S. bound you'll conveniently clear Customs and Immigration on the ground in Nassau. That's because LPIA is a U.S. pre-clearance facility.

Anything except fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products can be brought into The Bahamas. All meats must be canned or frozen. What foods are available in local markets? Since The Bahama Beach Club provides fully-equipped kitchens, you may want to shop at local stores.

What traditions are celebrated in The Bahamas? The Bahamians like to dance to their indigenous dances such as the Goombay, the Rake-n-Scrape, and the Junkanoo. They also take great pride in their athletics and do quite well in competitions such as the Olympics.

What language is spoken in The Bahamas? ›

The official language of The Bahamas is English. Many people speak an English-based creole language (called Bahamian Creole or Bahamian English or Bahamianese). Haitian Creole, a French-based creole language is spoken by Haitians and their descendants, who make up of about 25% of the total population.

Anything except fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products can be brought into The Bahamas. All meats must be canned or frozen. What foods are available in local markets?

Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials.

Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call The Bahamas's embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you. Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays.

According to customs, prohibited goods are goods that are not allowed to cross the border either out of or into the country. Attempting to import or export prohibited goods can lead to serious fines and even criminal charges. Examples of prohibited goods for import include: Narcotics and habit-forming drugs.