Bermuda Import Duty and Customs Fees: 2026 Guide

For most ordinary imported purchases:

• customs duty depends on the product's tariff classification
• overseas shipping and insurance are generally not part of the value on which Bermuda customs duty is calculated when properly identified
• wharfage of 1.25% may apply to the customs value
• couriers and freight forwarders may add their own clearance, brokerage, handling and delivery charges
• a large courier bill does not mean every dollar was charged by Bermuda Customs

Use the Government's classification guidance and Customs Tariff schedules for the current tariff. Broad retail categories are not enough for a reliable duty rate.

Bermuda Customs first determines the customs value of the goods and then applies the duty rate attached to the correct tariff code.

For many consumer purchases, the starting point is the price paid for the goods. Bermuda Customs' valuation guidance identifies possible additions such as packing costs, certain labour or assembly charges, warranty charges, royalties and licence fees payable to the seller.

Amounts that may generally be deducted when included in the invoice price include overseas sales tax, VAT or GST, overseas freight or delivery charges, insurance and certain handling fees.

A simplified calculation is: customs duty = adjusted customs value x applicable duty rate. The exact calculation can be more complicated for mixed orders, discounts, bundled charges and foreign currency invoices.

There is no single Bermuda import duty rate. A tariff classification can determine:

• the duty rate
• whether wharfage applies
• whether an import licence or permit may be required
• whether a relief or concession is available

Two similar-looking products can sometimes fall under different tariff codes. The importer remains legally responsible for the correct classification even when a courier or customs agent prepares the declaration.

No. Bermuda does not impose a general VAT or GST on imported consumer goods.

Some online shipping guides incorrectly add a separate Bermuda VAT charge after customs duty. That should not be included in an ordinary Bermuda landed-cost calculation.

The main Government import charges are normally customs duty and wharfage, where applicable. A retailer may still charge foreign sales tax, VAT or GST at checkout, but that is an overseas tax rather than Bermuda VAT.

Wharfage is a separate charge collected by Customs on behalf of the Corporation of Hamilton or Corporation of St. George's.

The standard rate is 1.25% of the customs value. It applies to goods landed or discharged at the relevant Bermuda ports and at L.F. Wade International Airport, subject to exemptions.

Goods imported by post and accompanied personal goods brought in by travellers are listed as exempt from wharfage.

Your courier or freight-forwarder invoice may mix Government charges with private company charges. Government charges may include customs duty and wharfage. Private charges may include:

• customs clearance or brokerage
• document-processing fees
• handling
• warehouse or storage charges
• local delivery
• freight-forwarding charges

These private fees are not set by Bermuda Customs and vary by provider.

Assume you buy an item overseas for $1,000. The confirmed duty rate is 20%, the $1,000 is the customs value after permitted adjustments, wharfage applies and the courier charges a separate $60 clearance fee.

Any separate international shipping cost still forms part of your total landed cost, even where it is deductible from the value used to calculate duty.

Amazon orders are generally treated like other overseas purchases. Depending on the delivery route, your total cost may include the Amazon product price, overseas sales tax, shipping to Bermuda or to a freight-forwarder address, Bermuda customs duty, wharfage, courier or freight-forwarder charges and local delivery.

Amazon does not determine the Bermuda tariff classification. The product must still be classified under the Bermuda Customs Tariff.

A bona fide gift valued at no more than $30 per postal packet or courier package may be duty-free. That is not a general exemption for online purchases under $30.

Bermuda residents and people entitled to reside in Bermuda currently have an allowance of up to BDA $300 for other accompanied personal goods acquired overseas. Visitors have an allowance of up to BDA $50 for other accompanied goods that will remain in Bermuda. Separate quantitative allowances apply to alcohol and tobacco.

Used goods can still attract import duty. Customs still needs a defensible value and tariff classification unless a specific relief applies, such as qualifying transfer-of-residence relief when moving to Bermuda.

Foreign-currency invoices must be converted using the weekly exchange rates published by Bermuda Customs, not a Google, bank or credit-card rate.

Landed.bm exists to answer one question: should a Bermudian buy this locally or import it?

A Landed.bm estimate may consider the overseas product price, foreign sales tax, international shipping, likely tariff classification, customs duty, wharfage, freight-forwarder or courier charges, local delivery and a comparable Bermuda price.

Where tariff classification or another cost is uncertain, Landed.bm explains the assumption and reduces confidence rather than presenting false precision.