Customs Regulations in Bermuda

I'm visiting my boyfriend who lives Bermuda for Valentine's day and would like bring red velvet cupcake for him - his favorite but was wondering what customs would think? Can I bring just one?

Bermuda is great and the customs officers are doing all they can to protect Bermuda from all of the illegal items. So if they question you then they have the right to, so deal with it.

I was trying to find out how to file a complaint against rude customs officers when I saw these comments. We were just on a cruise to Bermuda on that HAL Veendam in August. This was our 8th trip to Bermuda. The customs guard at the Hamilton terminal on the night of Aug 23rd was very rude and insinuated I had "contacts" in Bermuda because I've been there several times. I was polite but made it clear I did not appreciate what he was insinuating. During the 2.5 days we were there (we left early because of Hurricane Irene), I was searched 7x, 4 of which were documented on their logbook. None of the 6 other family members with me were searched; I was always singled out because I'm a Filipino male in my 40's. NONE of the other passengers I spoke with were searched more than once; most of them were not even searched at all despite all the shopping bags they had. They were all white. Racial profiling at it's best. By the way I am a US citizen and a doctor. My only vice is I love to travel.

I travelled to Bermuda 2 weeks ago and I do not recommend anyone of ethnic decent to visit this island. The treatment going through customs ruined our whole trip. They treated us like criminals. We went to Bermuda for a vacation not to live. It was a weekend trip due to JetBlue giving a sale. The customs officers accused us of carrying drugs. They asked so many questions my girlfriend broke down and started crying. They threatened to send us to jail and when they realized we were not mules. They sent us out the airport late so late we missed our shuttle.
We are all professional people and this was uncalled for. There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. I am happy to be home and I will never take the US for granted again. Shame on you Bermuda!

Having made enquiries with HM Customs in October, the following information was provided:
If you are relocating to Bermuda on a permanent work permit you are entitled to the Transfer of Residence Allowance (TRA). Your goods must arrive in Bermuda 90 days before or after your first date of arrival in Bermuda to take up residence. Your personal effects will be duty free as long as they have been in your possession for six months or more. Any items that are new or less than six months old duty will be payable at the applicable rate. If you are relocating to Bermuda on a temporary work permit you will have to pay duty on your goods at the applicable rate. Should you get a permanent work permit with in the 90 day period from when you first arrived in Bermuda to take up residence, then you may apply for a refund for your goods that you paid duty on. For further information please visit our website customs.gov.bm.
Public Notice 28 Transfer of Residence Allowance. If you do have to pay duty you can also find the applicable rates on this website in the tariff, however should you import the goods as your personal baggage the duty will be 25%.
I cannot speak on any other charges that might be incurred from the shipping company in Bermuda other than a wharfage charge of 1.11% or 1.01% for goods arriving by boat or plane respectively which is collected by Bermuda Customs.

I'm moving to Bermuda in about ten days and spoke to them about the issue of exemption from duty. Public Notice 28 on the Bermuda Customs website states that you are allowed to claim something called Transfer of Residence Allowance. There are a bunch of conditions, but if you're an expat moving there with a standard work permit, your goods that are older than six months (which you need to be able to prove with receipts) are exempt from duty.

Absolutely no human right for expats. I have moved here for couple months and experienced that myself. Also I did pay custom duty on all the electronic items when I first got here. Be aware that if you are a resident here, you will have to pay custom duty on everything you bring back to the country.

The website is incorrect. Duty at the air and seaports is 25% of the declared value.

If you are moving to Bermuda as a returning Bermudian or a person on a regular work permit, you will not pay duty on items that are 6 months old so long as you have been overseas for more than one year. If you are coming to work on a temporary work permit, everything you bring is subject to duty. If you are a genuine visitor, only items that will stay (or be consumed) in Bermuda must have duty paid. Remember Bermuda has no income tax and duty brings in 25% of the Government's revenue. Residents must pay duty on everything, EVERYTHING acquired overseas.

I've entered Bermuda twice so far, both in April 2009. Be sure you have a copy of your return flight itinerary, fill out both forms you on the flight in, and read them carefully. If you don't have anything that will remain in Bermuda, don't list it and you won't have any issues. Much more friendly than you'll read below. If you have items that you will be bringing back and forth, go to the customs house on Front Street when you get here and get a slip saying that the item is in Bermuda. Next time you enter with the item, have the slip with you and you won't be hassled either. Goes for cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.

Anyone going into Bermuda please be ready for a rough ride through customs. They are very rude, even if you are very polite. I live here in Bermuda and go in and out 5 or 6 times a year and every time it's the same problem. Make sure you declare every last thing.

I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO BERMUDA SEVERAL TIMES.YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PAY DUTY ON EVERYTHING THAT YOU BRING INTO THE COUNTRY, EVERYTHING! SOME SAY,YOU CAN ASK FOR A FORM TO GET BACK MONEY YOU HAVE PAID ON YOUR DEPARTURE OF THE ISLAND, BUT I HAVE YET TO KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS. GOOD LUCK!

Note that bermuda customs is extremely punitive to temporary residents. They do not credit you back for duty when you permanently leave and take goods with you - so things like engagement rings, watches and other items which will not be remaining in Bermuda they are making a killing from. Get used to it, as well as not having any human rights as an expat if you plan to move here.

The rules have since changed. New arrivals do not have to pay duty on anything when they first arrive. I got here two days ago and was pleasently surprised by this!

On the question of paying duty if you're moving here - I arrived 6 months ago and had to pay duty on almost everything I brought (ie a 5 year old alarm clock, camera, scuba gear, linens) - you would do well to compare the cost of excess luggage and duty fees to the cost of purchasing items here.

Thank you so very much for the feedback, I can't wait to know if I have the job!!!

This comments form is really intended for adding information and not asking questions. However, as several people have asked about customs duty for expatriates moving to Bermuda, I telephoned the Bermuda Customs office with the question. They said duty is payable on all goods brought into Bermuda, regardless of the time the person is intending to stay on the island and whether or not a person intends to take them back when they leave. This seems a little strange to me, especially if somebody was only coming to work here for a few months. But this is what they said. If somebody knows any better, please feel free to leave a comment here.

How does duty works if you move there for a year or two?

Do i have to declare tools for working in bermuda if i am not leaving them in country?

There's a store on Front Street that sells Cuban cigars.