Import Process Hurricane Relief Supplies
Under the Hurricane Dorian Exigency Order of September 2, 2019
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Individuals and businesses are eligible to import tax free goods under the Exigency Order under the following three condition:
- Imported goods fall under the approved list of items
- For the next 30 days, bottled water, clothing, food for personal consumption and personal hygiene products will be duty free and VAT free for individuals and businesses importing these items as donations to registered charities.
- For the next 90 days, medicine and medical supplies, building materials, tents, cots, bedding materials, mosquito nettings, electrical and plumbing fixtures and materials, household furniture, furnishings and appliances, and electrical generators will be duty free and VAT free for individuals and businesses importing these items as donations to registered charities.
- The final destination of the imported goods is an approved island:
- Abaco and the Abaco Cays
- Grand Bahama Island
- Sweetings Cay
- Deep Water Cay
- Water Cay
- Imported goods will be used for:
- charitable purposes to support restoration activities directly related to Hurricane Dorian (for example businesses can import supplies to help their employees — if you are in Grand Bahama and need a charity to consignee on this for you contact us.)
- by individuals who have directly suffered hardship or loss as a result of Hurricane Dorian.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS
STEP 1 – Complete Exigency Order Form for “Approved Goods”
- Download forms:
- Exigency Order Form 30 Days Dorian
- Exigency Order Form Items Not Specified Dorian – To import goods not covered by order, requires approval by NEMA.
- The person or entity in The Bahamas receiving the imported relief supplies should complete this form
STEP 2 – Complete Relevant Customs Declaration Form
- C-18 for Unaccompanied Goods (e.g. Goods arriving on a private aircraft or charter plane.)
- C-17 Accompanied Goods (e.g. When travelling through baggage claim at the airport or on private vessel/pleasure craft, i.e., airplane, boats.)
- C-13 Air Cargo or Sea Cargo (e.g. Goods arriving through a shipping company, freight forwarder, courier: DHL, GBS Bahamas, etc.) In many cases the shipping comapny will offer brokerage services to handle the forms for you. You will need to provide them the proper invoices where feasible.
These documents are available from customs aat the point of entry. When we get PDF versions we will post them in the forms section.
STEP 3 – Present Documents to Customs at Port of Entry
- Customs will be responsible for reviewing and approving documents at the Port of Entry.
NEED HELP?
The Customs Department, Ministry of Finance, and Department of Inland Revenue have dedicated officers to support individuals and businesses importing tax free goods under the Exigency Order.
The Customs Department, Ministry of Finance, and Department of Inland Revenue have dedicated officers to support individuals and businesses importing tax free goods under the Exigency Order.
Customs
Telephone Support: 376-7657, 604-3011, 604-3076, 604-3157
- Mark Daniels – markdaniels@bahamas.gov.bs (Nassau)
- Lorrain Smith – lorrainesmith@bahamas.gov.bs (Nassau)
- Clarkson Darville – clarksondarville@bahamas.gov.bs (Nassau)
- Cleveland Dawkins – clevelanddawkins@bahamas.gov.bs (Abaco)
- Celestine Cox – celestinecox@bahamas.gov.bs (Freeport)
- Larry Bodie – larrybodie@bahamas.gov.bs (Freeport)
Ministry of Finance – Revenue Department
- Sheronne Smith – sheronnesmith@bahamas.gov.bs
- Gia Williams – giawilliams-ferguson@bahamas.gov.bs
Department of Inland Revenue
- Gaynel Rolle –gaynellrolle@bahamas.gov.bs, 604-8070 (Nassau)
- Shunda Strachan – shundastrachan@bahamas.gov.bs, 6048073 (Nassau)
- Jamal Moss – jamaalmoss@bahamas.gov.bs (Nassau)
- Leo Hepburn – leohepburn@bahamas.gov.bs (Freeport)
- Crystal Spicer – CrystalSpicer@bahamas.gov.bs, 6990053 (Marsh Harbor, Abaco)
- Document: Import Process for Tax Relief for Supplies
- Form A: Application for Approved Relief Goods.
- Form B: Application for Not Pre-Approved Relief Goods. To import goods not covered by order, requires approval by NEMA.
- Form C13: Air or Sea Cargos
- Form: C-17 Accompanied Goods. For baggage claim at the airport or on private vessel/pleasure craft (includes boats).
- Form C18: Unaccompanied Goods Declaration
- Form 46 Application For Approval of Charities