Open: Mon – Fri 8.00am – 5.00pm
St. Lucia Our local agent, customs rules and importing tips for shipping to St. Lucia.
Company: CARIB AGENCIES
Address: MONGROO’S BUILDING UPPER BRIDGE STREET, CASTRIES ST LUCIA, WEST INDIES
Phone: (758)-572-1110/1 & (758) - 872 -8403/4
Email: info@caribagencies.com
Website: www.caribagencies.com
A Returning National is:
Note: A returning national who, during the ten-year period immediately preceding their return, has visited and stayed in St. Lucia for a continuous period of more than six months on more than two occasions shall not qualify for exemptions.
The joy of receiving shipments is a feeling we all know. We're working on making your Customs Clearance experience faster, smarter, and greener.
We're offering you a paperless option. Receive Customs receipts, tax assessment notices, and release orders via email.
Head to our website to generate your email QR code and save it for later:
Once completed, simply present your QR code to the Customs Cashier whenever you're paying Customs for your Christmas barrel and personal shipments.
After your interview and examination, present your QR code to the SAD officer for payment of your assessed taxes.
Scan, Pay, and Go. It's that easy. Let's go paperless!
Visit the website for your QR code: asycuda.customs.gov.lc
A returning national may import one motor vehicle per family (non-commercial), whether new or used, with a CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of not more than US$30,000.00 free of Import Duty, Excise Tax, and Value Added Tax. The national must import the vehicle within three months before or after taking up residence on the island.
The exemptions also apply to a vehicle purchased in Saint Lucia by the returning national within three months of taking up residence. Customs Service Charge is payable. If it is not possible to purchase the vehicle within the specified time-frame, a passenger may write to the Comptroller requesting an extension. Note that there is no guarantee the extension will be granted.
If the CIF value of a motor vehicle imported (or purchased locally) under this concession exceeds US$30,000.00, all applicable customs duties will be payable on the amount in excess of US$30,000.00.
A vehicle granted under this concession shall not be sold, exchanged, or disposed of in any way within three years (36 months) from the date of importation. If the vehicle is disposed of contrary to this rule, the returning national shall pay the full duties payable at the time of importation.
In the event of an accident causing the vehicle to be destroyed within three years, the returning national may apply the balance of the duty-free period, pro-rated by the Comptroller, to the purchase of a replacement vehicle. For example, if a vehicle is destroyed in the 14th month of the concession, 14/36 (≈0.389) of the concession would have been used, leaving 22/36 (≈0.611) of the total concession available for a replacement vehicle.
Tools of Trade refers to tools, instruments, and pieces of equipment normally used in the pursuit of the declared profession or trade of a returning national. It does not include plant (building), machinery, or heavy-duty vehicles.
A returning national may import, free of Import Duty, Excise Tax, and Value Added Tax, tools of trade, instruments, and equipment normally used in the pursuit of their declared profession or trade. The type and quantities of tools of trade shall be determined by the Comptroller of Customs in consultation with the returning national.
Note: No person shall benefit from this concession on more than one occasion.
The returning national should prepare a list of all items intended for import into St. Lucia. The list should include the quantity and value of each item where possible. Supporting documentation such as passports, job letters, Social Security registration, and similar documents will help substantiate the claim for the concession.
Upon arrival in St. Lucia, the returning national must attend an interview with Customs regarding their claim for concessions. During this interview, all supporting evidence must be presented.
If Customs is satisfied that the national qualifies, an 'up front' security deposit may be collected pending the Customs examination of the goods outside the port. No deposit is required if the examination occurs within the port of arrival. The deposit is typically equivalent to at least the final duties payable on the imported goods.
All expenses related to the examination of goods outside port limits, including transportation for Customs personnel and examination fees, will be borne by the returning national.
After the examination and finalization of the Customs Entry, any difference between the deposit collected and the final duties payable will be refunded or collected as necessary.
The returning national must submit a declaration regarding their claim for concessions. False declarations are punishable under the Customs Control and Management Act, which may include fines, imprisonment, or both.
A returning national who has benefited from these exemptions and, within the three-year period immediately following their return to St. Lucia, leaves and resides abroad for a continuous period exceeding three months will lose their privileges. They will be liable to pay all duties that were previously waived under the concession.
In exceptional circumstances, Cabinet may waive the liability of a returning national to refund all duties.
For deceased estates, the family of the deceased is entitled to import USED personal and household effects, such as worn clothing and used appliances of the deceased. To do so, they must submit:
For more information, visit the Relevant Import Laws page.
The Veterinary and Livestock Services Division (VLSD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries, Co-operatives and Rural Development is responsible for safeguarding the health of the animal as well as human population, through the control of animal diseases and by preventing the introduction of exotic diseases.
It is the duty of the VLSD to enforce and administer the Animal (Disease and Importation) Act, 2005.
Anyone who wishes to import any animals or animal products into Saint Lucia must apply to the Veterinary Authority for an Import Permit. Upon arrival into Saint Lucia, all animals and animal products MUST be inspected by the officials from the Veterinary and Livestock Services Division.
For more information, visit the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources & Co-Operatives:
Under the Customs law, all imported goods (with certain exemptions) must be declared by the importer or an authorized agent. This declaration, also known as an Entry, is submitted through the Asycuda World system, accessible via our website. Please note:
Where goods are exempt from duty by virtue of a Cabinet Conclusion or other statutory authority, the relevant declaration will first be reviewed by the Concessions Officer before the goods can be cleared.
Important: Submitting a false declaration may result in penalties.
When preparing your Customs Entry, please ensure you have the following documents:
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