CUSTOMS DUTIES: SOUTH AFRICA TO BELIZE

Overview of Customs Duties: South Africa to Belize

When exporting goods from South Africa to Belize, exporters must navigate Belize's customs regulatory framework, which is administered by the Belize Customs and Excise Department. Understanding the applicable duty rates, documentation requirements, and regulatory compliance is essential for successful international trade between these countries. Belize's tariff system is based on the Harmonized Description and Coding System (HS) and modeled after the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Common External Tariff (CET). As South Africa is not a CARICOM member, goods exported from South Africa will be subject to standard import duties and additional taxes upon entry into Belize.

General Duty Rates in Belize

Belize applies a tiered duty structure based on product classification. The following table outlines typical duty rates for common product categories:

Product Category	Import Duty Rate	Additional Notes
Food Items (Selected)	0%	Various food items are duty-free
Medicines	0%	Pharmaceutical products exempt from duties
Industrial Products	20% (Average)	May be higher for products of national interest
General Commodities	20% (Average)	Range from 0% to 120% depending on classification
Automobiles	45%	Specific automotive products subject to this rate
Fresh Peppers & Pepper Sauces	45%	Agricultural products with protective tariffs
Live Animals	45%	Protected category for local industry
Boats	45%	Marine vessels subject to higher duty
Other Products (HS Code Dependent)	Varies by HS code - contact our experts	Consult HS classification for specific rates

Calculation Basis: All import duties are calculated on the CIF Value (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) of goods. Additional taxes including General Sales Tax (GST) at 12.5% and Environmental Tax at 3% are applied on top of import duties.

Required Documentation

• Commercial Invoice (original and copies)
• Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
• Packing List with detailed product descriptions
• Certificate of Origin
• Harmonized System (HS) Code classification for each product
• Import License or Permit (if required for specific goods)
• Insurance documents and certificates
• Health and Safety Certificates (for applicable products)
• Customs Declaration Form
• Proof of payment of duties and taxes

Important Regulations

• Prohibited and Restricted Imports: Certain goods are prohibited or restricted entry into Belize. Verify specific product restrictions with the Belize Customs and Excise Department before shipment.
• Labeling and Marking Requirements: Products must comply with Belizean labeling standards, including language requirements and product information specifications.
• Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD): Even duty-free goods may be subject to RRD ranging from 10% to 50%, with most averaging 40%.
• Environmental Tax: Applied at 3% on most imports (2-5% for automobiles), excluding certain medicines and food items.
• General Sales Tax (GST): Applied at 12.5% on the aggregate of customs value and other duties.
• Customs Authority: All customs matters are administered by the Belize Customs and Excise Department (www.customs.gov.bz).

Trade Agreements

South Africa does not currently have preferential trade agreement status with Belize under CARICOM. Therefore, South African exports receive no tariff preference and are subject to standard Common External Tariff (CET) rates. CARICOM member states receive import duty exemptions on goods originating from other CARICOM countries, but this advantage does not extend to South African exporters.

Exporters should verify the current status of any bilateral or multilateral trade agreements that may affect their specific product category. For the most current information, contact the Belize Customs and Excise Department directly or consult with a licensed customs broker operating in Belize.