Turks and Caicos Islands Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Turks and Caicos Islands Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

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

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

Specific Information

Customs Processing Fee (CPF). Even when goods qualify for duty-free entry, a 7.5% Customs Processing Fee applies to the total declared value of the shipment. This fee is non-waivable.

Standard import duty. If the importer does not qualify for duty-free entry, standard import duties apply. Most household goods attract a duty rate of 30% on CIF value.

No VAT or sales tax. TCI does not levy VAT or a general sales tax. Import duties and the CPF are the primary customs charges.

ISPM 15. All wood packaging materials (pallets, crates, dunnage) must comply with ISPM 15 and bear the appropriate treatment mark.

Inventory language. Inventories must be in English and valued in USD.

The following items are explicitly excluded from duty-free treatment regardless of residency status: motor vehicles, boats, aircraft, foodstuffs, tobacco products, perfumes, and alcoholic beverages.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free transfer-of-residence exemption. All goods imported by an owner relocating to the Turks and Caicos Islands, or by returning residents, are duty-free when shipped within the first 6 months of arrival, provided the goods have been owned and in use by the importer for a minimum of 12 months prior to arrival in TCI. Returning citizens must have lived outside the territory for at least 12 months to qualify.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Firearms and ammunition without prior written permission from the Commissioner of Police
• Underwater hunting equipment (spear guns, Hawaiian slings, and parts thereof)
• Controlled substances, illegal drugs, and drug paraphernalia
• Pornographic materials
• Prohibited dog breeds (see Section 3)
• Species protected under CITES without valid permits
• Any goods subject to UK or international sanctions applicable to British Overseas Territories

All imports into TCI are subject to duty and the 7.5% CPF unless specifically exempted. Items of particular note:

• Weapons and ammunition: require written permission from the Commissioner of Police of the Turks and Caicos Islands prior to import; subject to duty
• New and unused goods: dutiable at applicable rates; invoices required
• Meat and meat products: import permit required from the Department of Agriculture
• Plants and plant material: import permit required; subject to phytosanitary inspection
• Alcohol: dutiable; excluded from duty-free transfer-of-residence exemption
• Tobacco products: dutiable; excluded from duty-free transfer-of-residence exemption
• Perfumes: excluded from duty-free transfer-of-residence exemption
• Foodstuffs: excluded from duty-free transfer-of-residence exemption; duties apply

Contact TCI Customs (customs.gov.tc) or the destination agent for current duty rate schedules by commodity.

Consignment Instructions

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

TCI is served primarily by air via Providenciales International Airport (PLS) on Providenciales, which handles the majority of international freight. Sea freight arrives through the port of Providenciales. Grand Turk, the capital, has limited freight capacity; most commercial shipments clear through Providenciales.

All inventories must be in English and valued in USD. Ensure new items are itemised separately with invoices, as they are assessed at different duty rates from used personal effects.

The 7.5% Customs Processing Fee applies to all shipments, including those qualifying for duty-free entry. Importers should budget for this fee regardless of residency or exemption status.

The duty-free exemption must be applied for in advance by obtaining a letter of exemption from TCI Customs before the shipment arrives. Shipments arriving without the exemption letter in place may be assessed full duty and cleared as general imports.

Unpredictable port handling costs and storage charges can accumulate quickly. Confirm current conditions with the destination agent before booking.