Moving to Turks and Caicos Islands

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required:

  • Passport (bio-data page)
  • Work permit / residence permit / other legal proof of residency
  • Letter of exemption issued by the Turks & Caicos Customs Department (if applicable)
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / express release / air waybill (AWB)
  • Detailed valued inventory list (in USD)
  • Invoices (new items) (in USD)
  • TCI Customs import entry form

Specific Information:

  • All goods imported by an owner of the goods relocating to the Turks & Caicos Islands, or any returning residents, are duty free when moved within the first 6 months.
    • This excludes motor vehicles, boats, aircrafts, foodstuffs, tobacco products, perfumes, and any alcoholic beverages.
    • The goods must be owned by the owner of the goods and in use for a minimum of 12 months prior to the arrival in Turks & Caicos Islands.
    • The returning citizen must have lived outside of the country for at least 12 months.
  • Even though goods may qualify for duty free import, there is a 7.5% Customs Processing Fee (CPF) applicable to the total value of the goods.
  • If the owner of the goods does not qualify for duty free entry, the applicable Customs import duty rate will be applied.
    • Most household goods have an import duty rate of 30%.

IAM Note: Contact destination agent for further details. 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required:

  • Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / express release / air waybill (AWB)
  • Bill of sale
  • Certificate of title

Specific Information:

  • Vehicle duties are calculated based on the cost, insurance, and freight value (CIF value).
  • Customs processing fee (CPF) is calculated on only the value. 

Pets

Documents Required:

  • Vaccination record
  • Veterinary health certificate
  • Import permit issued by the Turks & Caicos Islands Agriculture Department

Specific Information:

  • The import permit must be obtained prior to the importation of any live animal, bird, or fish.
  • All live animals (pets) are required to undergo inspection on arrival and must be accompanied by an original copy of an inspection certificate.
    • Pets that do not clear inspection will be held for no more than 48 hours pending deportation or will be euthanized.
  • The inspection certificate must be issued by the Agricultural Authority at origin.
  • All pets must be identifiable with a microchip transponder or tattoo.
    • The microchip must have been placed before rabies vaccination was initiated.
  • All dogs must be spayed or neutered before importation into the Islands.
    • Owners of the goods granted an animal breeder’s license from the Department of Agriculture, Turks & Caicos Islands are exempted from having their dogs spayed or neutered.
  • The canine breeds listed below are strictly prohibited or restricted from being imported into the Turks & Caicos Islands:
    • Prohibited:
      • Dogo, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bull Dog, Perro de Presa, Fila Brasiliero, Argentino, American Staffordshire Terrier, Japanese Tosa,  & Canario (Canary dog)
    • Restricted:
      • Appenzeller, Molossus, Beauceron, Bull Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mountain Dog, Kuvasz, Moscow Watchdog, Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Boerboel, Aryan, Bandog, Belgian Mastiff, Danish Broholmer, Great Swiss, Korean Jindo, Leonberger, Neapolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler, & Tibetan Mastiff

IAM Note: Contact destination agent for further details.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Weapons and ammunition (require permission from the Commissioner of Police of Turks & Caicos Islands)
  • New items
  • Meat (import permit required)
  • Plants (import permit required)

Prohibited Items

  • Weapons and ammunition
  • Underwater guns (i.e.: Spear guns, Hawaiian slings and parts)
  • Controlled or illegal drugs or paraphernalia
  • Pornographic materials

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Cultural and Other Information