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Permits & Concessions FAQs

Cottage & Light Industry

  1. Valid Business License
  2. Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
  3. (If you are a first-time applicant --
    1. A government issued ID is applicable (Passport, NIB Smart Card, or Voter's Card)
       

Yes

Yes

Yes

Commercial Printing

  1. A valid Business License
  2. Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
  3. (If you are a First time applicant --
    1. A government issued ID is applicable e.g. Passport, N.I.B or Voters Card)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Charitable Organization

You must be registered with a certificate of Incorporation.

You must be registered as a non-profit organization to benefit from the various concessions offered by the government of the Bahamas.

  • A certificate of Incorporation
  • Invoice of goods imported (if goods are donated, a letter from the donor must be attached)

Agricultural Goods

No. There is no cost.

Once you are in possession of a Farmers certificate issued from the Department of Agriculture, you can apply directly to Click2Clear for the exemption.

  • Farmer's Permit (bonafide)
  • Invoice(s)
  • A valid Business License.
  • (If you are a first-time applicant--
    • a government issued ID is applicable (Passport, NIB Smart Card or Voter's Card)

Fisheries Goods

No. There is no cost.

Once you are in possession of a Fishing certificate, issued from the Department of Marine Resources, you can apply directly to the Click2Clear for the exemption.

  • Fisheries Permit (bonafide)
  • Invoice(s)
  • Valid Business License
  • Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
  • (If you are a first-time applicant--
    • A government issued ID is applicable (Passport, NIB Smart Card or Voter's Card)
       

Returning Residents (STUDENT)

The turnaround period is approximately 24-48 hours.

  • Yes, you can, but the vehicle cannot exceed a value of $30,000.00.
  • Also, household goods/personal items cannot exceed a value of $10,000.00.

  • Copy of Passport (1st four (4) pages)
  • Student Visa Page
  • Proof of Enrollment (1-20)
  • Completion (Diploma)
  • OPT Card
  • Vehicle Registration Title/ Vehicle Invoice (cannot exceed a value of $30,000.00) or
  • Any other supporting Document
  • Household goods invoices cannot exceed $10,000.00

Two (2) years or more.

Returning Residents Living or Working Abroad

The turnaround period is approximately 24-48 hours.

Yes, you can, but the car cannot exceed the $30,000 value.  If the vehicle does exceed the $30,000 value, you will be required to pay the relevant taxes on the amount exceeding $30,000.

Two (2) years or more.

  • Copy of Bahamian Passport
  • Copy of Immigration status from departing country
  • Listing of used personal effects
  • Vehicle Title
  • Job Letter
  • Any other supporting documents

Taxi, Livery/Tour Car/Omnibus

Once every five (5) years.

Approval is granted within 24-48 hours.

Vehicle cannot be older than three (3) years.

  • A franchise letter issued by the RTD (Road Traffic Department)
  • Business License
  • Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
  • Invoice(s)

  • Fill out application
  • Application must be Stamp by RTD (Franchise Unit)
  • Current Franchise Letter
  • Copy of ID eg. Passport Drivers License or N.I.B.
  • Valid Business License
  • Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
  • Invoice, VIN#, Serial #

Gift to the Government

Yes

  • No, and monetary amount over $250k must be approved by the Cabinet of The Bahamas.
  • If it is clothing, food, building material or other donations you must show proof of donated items and the organization to whom it is to be donated.

You must inform the Ministry of Social Services of your monetary donation.

  • Applicant must be forwarded through a government agency.
  • Application should include organization, person(s) donating the “Gift to Government”.
  • Any gift valuing $50k must be approved by the Minister of the government agency forwarding the request.
  • Any gift value $50k – 250k must be approved by the Minister of Finance.
  • Any gift value over $250k must be approved by the Cabinet of the Bahamas.

Family Island Development Encouragement Act (FIDEA)

Yes. You will receive an email notification

Yes, the exemption is for ALL persons who will be undertaking qualifying activity within the islands.

Yes. Once the application criteria’s have been met.

A Valid Government issued ID evidence of residency or planned eligible activity on the Island. Business License, Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC), Invoice(s) and site plan where applicable.

The islands are Ragged Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Cat Island, Long Island, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins Island, Long Cay and Andros Island.

Yes, you are eligible.  However, you must provide proof or residence in the Bahamas, along with a government issued ID and be tax compliant.

No. The items being imported should be cleared through the island listed above.  If the items are removed from the designated approved islands, all applicable taxes become due.

Yes. Any resident or prospective resident can apply for exemption on the following islands: -

Ragged Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Cat Island, Long Island, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins Island, Long Cay and Andros Island. Applicants must provide evidence of operation plans within the above island.  All goods can only be released from Customs within the above island.

 

Family Island Development Encouragement Act (FIDEA) – Special Economic Programme for Andros & Southern Islands Exemption.

  • The Family Island Development Encouragement Act exemption is applicable for Bahamian citizens and business owners on the full range of materials they will need to build or renovate a house, or to start or expand a business.  These materials include: -
  • Building materials, plumbing and electrical, furniture, appliances, motor vehicle (BUSINESS), land clearing equipment, commercial equipment and related fittings, business licence, IT hardware and software (including cell phones, tablet or personal digital assistants), solar panels and related equipment and fittings and real property tax.  The exemption applies to local and international purchases.

  • A valid Business License
  • Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) (Business ONLY)
  • Invoice(s) – (Individual ONLY)
Important Note:
  • Goods and equipment approved under this Act for Bahamian Citizens and Permanent Residents only (FREE)
  • Goods and equipment approved under this Act for Non-Citizens and Non-Permanent Residents only (50% of the Liable Duty)

Special Economic Recovery Zone (SERZ)

  • On the 1st December, 2022.
  • NO new applications are being accepted.

  • Fill out the Application.
  • Invoice(s).

Affordable Homes Exemption

No. Currently the Affordable Homes Exemption is inactive.

Economic Empowerment Zone Act

  • A valid Business License
  • Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
  • Invoice(s)

Small and medium businesses are eligible to apply for and obtain duty-free exemptions on all items needed to start or expand their business, this includes the first stock of inventory, regardless of their location in the Bahamas.

The applicable exemption waivers will be approved for duties on commercial items procured locally and internationally.

Eligibility:

  • Nationality
    • Bahamian citizens, 18 years old or older, residing in the Bahamas or abroad.
  • Business Licence
    • The applicant must currently possess a business license.
  • Sales Turnover
    • Must have a turnover of less than 5 million dollars per annum.
    • Should applicant be a limited company, please give the name(s) of beneficial shareholders.
  • Application and Approval Period
    • The applicant is approved for a period of one-year.
    • Applicants approved for the exemption on items within the period of one year may not apply for the same items until the second year.
  • Supporting Documents
    • Applicants must provide the following support documents. Business NIB, Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC), invoice(s).
    • Once approved, the applicant can use the exemption document (Certificate) to present to Customs Department.
    • If rejected, the applicant is required to pay the normal duties stipulated by the Customs Department.
    • Documents and items are also subject to physical inspections and visits by the Ministry of Finance, Revenue Officers.
  • Start-up Business Exemption
    • First Time Inventory – There is a limit on the first time inventory. Only new businesses are eligible for exemption.
    • Inventory may be granted for existing businesses if opening a new or secondary location.
    • Equipment Machinery must for relate to the business.

Clothing Concession

No. you don’t have to submit a new application. You can add your invoice(s) to your application, it will be supplementary to the original application.

The approval is valid for six (6) months ONLY.  So yes you can add items (it will be as a supplementary process) under the Click2Clear if it is a part of the shipment and not all the items were processed in the original approval.

Click2Clear, will allow you to upload many documents to accompany your application.

The main Freeport requirements are:
  • Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC),
  • Business License,
  • Invoice(s),
  • and Pricing Analysis.

A Tax Compliance Certificate signifies that you are in compliance with all government taxes.

  • A valid Business License
  • Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
  • Pricing Analysis
  • Invoice(s)
  • A government issued ID (Passport, NIB, Driver’s License)

Religious Exemption, School, Sporting Goods/Junkanoo

No. School, Sporting goods in particular, Junkanoo supplies along with other general concessions only need to submit a letter from the relevant Ministry, along with invoice(s) submit your application on the Click2Clear for approval from the Ministry of Finance.

Yes. As the law do allow churches to import building materials duty free, along with other religious items.

No. The request should be made on the Click2Clear (OGA) portal.

Note: OGA (Other Government Agency)- The Permits & Concessions Module.

  • Cover letter
  • Invoice(s)

General (All other exemptions not covered by the previously listed)

  • Cover Letter (Letter of Request)
  • Invoice(s)

Solar Panel System

Any business(s) in the Bahamas that is operating in the Bahamas and is seeking the waiver of Customs Duty on the imports of their items, a business license and a Tax Compliance is required.

No. As an individual you do not need a Tax Compliance or a Business License for the duty concession.

Individuals
  • Cover Letter (Letter of Request)
  • Invoice(s)
Companies
  • Cover Letter (Letter of Request).
  • Invoice(s)
  • A valid Business License.
  • Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)

Contact

The Bahamas Customs Department

Customs House, Thompson Blvd. P.O. Box N-155, Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 604 3124
Fax: (242) – 322-62
click2clear@bahamas.gov.bs

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