Bermuda Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Bermuda Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Customs Traveller Declaration (Form 98)
• Passport / proof of identity
• Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Inventory
• Work permit, spousal letter, or other proof of permission to reside in Bermuda (first-time residents)
• Proof of overseas residence for more than 1 year (returning residents)
• Receipts / invoices for items less than 6 months old

Specific Information

Transfer of Residence Allowance (TRA): Per the Government of Bermuda (gov.bm), first-time residents and returning residents may claim duty relief on used personal and household goods under the TRA. The TRA covers most personal and professional goods including clothing, furniture, household appliances, personal computers, and portable tools of trade that have been in use for a minimum of 6 months.

First-time residents: Must provide proof of permission to live in Bermuda (work permit, spousal letter, etc.) and proof that goods are older than 6 months.

Returning residents: Must provide proof of having been living overseas for more than 1 year and proof that goods are older than 6 months.

Advance/arrears baggage: Personal baggage may be imported up to 90 days before or after arrival without payment of customs duty. Contact Customs at least 10 working days before importing baggage in advance or arrears.

Items not qualifying for TRA: New items (less than 6 months old) are subject to duty. Goods for business use must not be declared on the Customs Traveller Declaration form.

Wharfage: 1.25% of value is charged on most goods imported by air or sea cargo.

No income tax or VAT: Bermuda does not levy income tax, capital gains tax, or VAT. Customs duty is the primary source of government revenue (approximately 20% of government income).

Customs Form 98: The Customs Traveller Declaration must be completed by anyone with goods exceeding duty-free allowances. Household groups travelling together may submit one combined declaration.

Currency declaration: Cash and negotiable instruments exceeding BDA 10,000 (or foreign equivalent) must be declared.

Duties & Taxes

Standard duty rate: Most goods imported by air or sea in passenger baggage are dutiable at 22.25% of value. Electronics and household goods not for personal use (to be left in Bermuda) are dutiable at 25%. Some items attract 33.5% (batteries, vehicle parts).

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Controlled drugs — Strictly prohibited; severe penalties
• Obscene material — Prohibited
• Fireworks — Prohibited
• Firearms and ammunition — Generally prohibited without licence
• Prohibited dog breeds (Dogo Argentino, Boerboel, Fila Brasileiro, Cane Corso, Neapolitan Mastiff, Presa Canario, Tosa Inu, Wolf/Wolf Hybrids) — Prohibited
• Ferrets — Prohibited
• Counterfeit goods — Prohibited

Residents (18+):

• 1 litre of wine, 1 litre of spirits
• 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 500g tobacco
• BDA 300 duty-free allowance on personal goods arriving by air

Visitors:

• Same alcohol/tobacco as above
• BDA 50 duty-free allowance on personal goods arriving by air

• Live animals and plants PERMIT REQUIRED — Import permit from the DENR required
• Fruits, vegetables PERMIT REQUIRED — Import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture required
• Dairy products (raw milk, pasteurised milk, manufactured milk) — Prohibited unless prior approval from the Ministry of Agriculture
• Firearms and ammunition PERMIT REQUIRED — Generally prohibited; licence required
• Medications — For personal use; carry prescriptions
• Alcohol and tobacco in excess of allowances — Subject to specific duty rates (wine BDA 2.89/litre, spirits BDA 10.63/litre, cigarettes BDA 44/carton of 200, cigars/tobacco 33.5%)

Consignment Instructions

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

Advance/arrears: Personal baggage can arrive up to 90 days before or after the owner. Contact Customs at least 10 working days before importing goods in advance or arrears.

Customs offices: Hamilton (main office), St. George, L.F. Wade International Airport, and Dockyard. Officers process declarations and control passenger/cargo movement at all ports.

Valuation: Bermuda uses WTO (GATT) valuation rules. Duty is calculated ad valorem on the transaction value.

Routing / port of entry: L.F. Wade International Airport (only airport) for air freight. Hamilton Harbour and St. George for sea freight. Bermuda is a group of approximately 181 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 665 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Vehicle restrictions: One car per household is the general limit. Vehicle size is restricted. No rental cars on the island. Confirm vehicle import eligibility with the Transport Control Department before shipping.

Currency: Bermuda dollar (BMD), pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. US dollars are widely accepted. No income tax, capital gains tax, or VAT.

Regulatory Updates

• June 2024: DENR updated the dogs and cats import conditions document with revised tick treatment requirements and breed lists.
• 2017/2018: Bermuda National Parks Act amendments updated dog regulations on beaches and public spaces.
• 2008: Dogs Act 2008 mandated secure housing requirements for prohibited/restricted breeds.
• Ongoing: Solar/green goods remain duty-free. Customs duty rates periodically adjusted.