There are certain goods you are not allowed to bring into Bermuda at all (prohibited goods). Other goods can only be imported legally with the necessary licence or permit (restricted goods).
This is to protect society, animal and public health and the environment. If you are not sure about any of the goods you are bringing into Bermuda, speak to a customs officer.
Prohibited goods
The following goods are banned completely:
- Illegal drugs such as heroin, morphine, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, LSD and cannabis.
- Offensive weapons such as flick and gravity knives, butterfly knives, push daggers, belt-buckle knives, throwing stars, swordsticks, knuckledusters, blowpipes, spear guns, spring loaded batons and some martial arts equipment.
- Self defence sprays containing noxious or inflammatory gas or liquids.
- Stun guns or incapacitating weapons that momentarily disable a person with an electric shock or directed energy.
- Indecent or obscene materials including books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs and software. This includes:
- Material featuring children;
- Material containing extreme violence or cruelty; and
- Any other pornography that cannot be legally bought in Bermuda.
Please note that this is not a full list, but it includes important examples.
Restricted goods
The following goods can only be brought into Bermuda if you have the relevant licence or permit:
Firearms, explosives and ammunition
These include blank firing or replica firearms that can be converted to fire bullets.
For further information and advice, visit the Bermuda Police Service website.
For enquiries concerning licences and permit, please contact:
Commissioner of Police
PO Box HM 530
Hamilton HM CX
Phone: (441) 295-0011
Fax: (441) 299-4459
Live animals
This includes fish, crustaceans, molluscs, insects, cats, dogs and birds. All animals (including pets) arriving in Bermuda are required to be accompanied by health documents as well as an Import Permit issued in advance by the Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Animals arriving without proper documentation will be refused entry and will be immediately returned to the country of origin or destroyed, at the owner’s expense, as there are no quarantine facilities in Bermuda. For further information and advice visit the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Enquiries and import applications should be forwarded to:
Animal Husbandry Clerk,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
P.O. Box HM 834
Hamilton, HM CX
Phone: (441) 236-4201
Fax: (441) 232-0046
E-mail: animals@gov.bm
Plants, fruit, vegetables and plant products
All plants (including cuttings, bulbs and tubers) arriving in Bermuda are required to be accompanied by Phytosanitary (plant health) documents as well as an import permit issued in advance by the Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
All fruit, vegetables, plant products (seeds, cut flowers, live plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, roots, spices, mushrooms and wood) must be declared upon arrival. The importation of carrots, sweet potatoes / North American yams and corn are prohibited entry.
The importation of soil is prohibited and plant growing media and sand are regulated – requiring prior assessment and approval. All plants and fresh fruit or vegetables imported in passengers’ baggage will be withheld for inspection to ensure that they are not prohibited, regulated and are otherwise free of plant pests or diseases.
Once inspected, imported plant material may be released to the customer; it may require treatment prior to release; or it may be confiscated. All imported fruits or vegetables, including processed (i.e. dried, baked, peeled, frozen, candied or pickled) items are withheld by Customs and inspected by the Department of Environmental Protection. All prohibited, diseased or pest infested plants and produce will be confiscated and destroyed.
All importations of insects, spiders (dead or alive) are strictly regulated and must be declared upon arrival. Pesticides, fertilizers, and growth regulators, must be declared upon entry into Bermuda.
For more information regarding importation procedures, submission of applications, Import Permits, Phytosanitary Certificates and withheld items please contact:
The Plant Protection Department
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
P.O. Box HM 834
Hamilton, HM CX
Bermuda
Phone: (441) 239-2311 / (441) 239-2321 / (441) 239-2322
Fax: (441) 232-4866
E-mail: tthompso@gov.bm or cjessey@gov.bm or kmburch@gov.bm
Endangered animals or plants
This includes live animals, birds and plants, or goods made from them, such as jewelry, shoes, bags and belts, even if they were openly on sale in the countries where you bought them, unless you have a valid CITES certificate. This also includes caviar, ivory, coral, shells and crocodile, alligator and snake skin taken form endangered animals.
Enquiries should be forwarded to:
Director of Environment and Natural Resources
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
P.O. Box HM 834
Hamilton, HM CX
Phone: (441) 236-4201
Fax: (441) 232-0046
Certain meat and dairy products
You can import frozen lobsters provided they are free of algae or other plant material. Season and size restrictions apply to Spiny Lobsters.
Certain radio transmitter
This includes CB radios, VHF radios, unless you have a valid permit.
Intellectual property rights
Counterfeit pirated and patent-infringing goods such as CDs, DVDs, clothing, footwear and designer goods may be detained and you may be prosecuted by the intellectual property holder.
Prescription medication
As a general rule, visitors who have been prescribed medication by a physician may bring a reasonable quantity for their own use during their stay in Bermuda. Visitors are not required to declare their personal prescription medicines on a Customs Form 98. However, prescription medications should be appropriately labelled and should be kept in the original containers provided by the pharmacist.
Methadone
If you are taking part in a Methadone maintenance treatment programme or similar substance abuse programme, you should contact the Chief Medical Officer prior to travel for information and advice. Enquiries may be forwarded to:
Chief Medical Officer
Department of Health
PO Box HM 1195
Hamilton HM EX
Phone: (441)-278-4921 or (441)-278-4900
Smuggling goods
Importing goods that are banned or for which you do not have the necessary licence or permit is illegal. If you get caught smuggling, your goods will be seized and you may face prosecution and imprisonment.
It is important that you:
- Never bring prohibited (banned) goods to Bermuda;
- Never carry anything into Bermuda for someone else;
- If you are making a declaration on behalf of any other members of your household, make sure those household members know what goods are prohibited and restricted. As the principal declarant you may be held responsible;
- Never smuggle an animal into Bermuda. Even though a pet may be tame, it can carry rabies and other diseases, which could have disastrous consequences.
Are you a witness to smuggling?
Call the Customs Hotline at any time to report suspicious activity in relation to smuggling or customs fraud including:
- Imported goods
- Unauthorized use or disposal of duty relieved goods
- Money laundering
- Drugs, firearms or other banned or restricted goods
Customs Hotline:
Call us in Bermuda on (441) 293-8647
Call us from the Caribbean or North America on 1 (441) 293-8647
Call us from the United Kingdom on 00 1 0 (441) 293-8647