International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Bermuda
BERMUDA On behalf of UniGroup Relocation we will be coordinating the shipment of your goods to Bermuda. To simplify the process, we have outlined the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition.This will also review your responsibilities in assisting with this process. In addition to the points below, the following pages will outline the requirements, which will be facilitated by our local representative to complete the clearance. They will assist with each item specific to your shipment so please be assured they will do whatever is necessary to facilitate a quick and efficient clearance. The documentation process, for example, passports, visas, power of attorney, etc., can take one week to 14 days plus the transportation – airfreight – seven to 21 days / weeks and ocean – six to eight weeks, depending on the origin. It is extremely important that you take a few moments to review these important requirements, as they will allow us to process the release of your personal property through foreign customs. Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import and not by UniGroup Relocation. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. Such regulations, however, are subject to change without notice by the country of import. UniGroup Relocation assumes no liability for changes in the law or interpretation by enforcement personnel as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country.
Visa Requirements – Details Please advise your local representative or UniGroup Relocation Representative of the “Type” of passport or visa you will be travelling under (working visa, temporary visa, diplomatic, etc.). When moving to Bermuda, some specific documents will be required in order to satisfy local immigration officials. *Contact address and telephone number must be listed on all documents.
Required Documents
Details
Visitors/Tourists Visa
Nationals of the following countries require Bermuda entry visas: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (Peoples’ Republic of)*, Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Soviet Union (former), Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm al Qaiwain), Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (former). Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports or British National (Overseas). Passports do not require visas for Bermuda. An exception will be made for a visitor who has a valid passport and proof of a right to reside in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom. For an American resident, that means a Permanent Resident Card is required. A Canadian resident must have a
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Bermuda
Canadian Permanent Resident Card. A United Kingdom resident must be able to show that no limit has been placed on his or her stay in the United Kingdom. Those who require visas to enter other countries on departure from Bermuda must have those visas prior to arrival in Bermuda. Visas to enter Bermuda may be obtained from the Visa Section of a British Embassy, British High Commission, Consulate or other British Foreign Service establishment abroad. Requirements for visitors from the USA: • U.S. Passport (if expired it should be of sufficiently recent vintage so that the photograph resembles the bearer.) • Birth Certificate with a raised seal or official stamp, together with photo ID issued by a competent municipal authority, or certified copy, with photo ID (photo ID is often not available for children aged 16 years or under who are travelling with their parents.) • U.S. Re-entry Permit. • U.S. Naturalization Certificate. • U.S. Permanent Resident Card. Requirements for visitors from the Canada: • Valid Canadian Passport. • Birth Certificate or certified copy, together with photo ID. • For people born outside of Canada, a Canadian Certificate of Citizenship, or Canadian Permanent Resident Card. Requirements for visitors from the U.K. and Western Europe: • Valid passport. Return/Onward Ticket
A return or onward ticket, or other proof of onward transportation to a country to which the passenger has right of entry, is required of all visitors.
Passports
Passports are the preferred document for entry into Bermuda and are required of all visitors from countries that require a passport for re-entry purposes or for entry through another country to which the passenger has right of entry.
Proof of Citizenship and Identification
All travelers must carry with them proof of citizenship and personal identification (including government issued photo ID) relevant to a return to their own country or for re-entry through another foreign country, as required by Bermuda Immigration authorities. This applies to adults and children travelling alone or with their parents.
Employees Re-entry Permit
Resident non-Bermudians who are employed in Bermuda must use their “Confirmation of Re-entry” document to get back into Bermuda. Family members who live in Bermuda without a work permit, must obtain a re-entry permit through the permit holder’s employer before leaving.
Work Permit
Employment in Bermuda of non-Bermudians is prohibited without the permission of the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, and possession of a Work Permit. Visitors to Bermuda are not allowed to take any form of employment, nor are they allowed to look for employment and/or permission to work while they are on the Island.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Bermuda
Documents Requirements – Details When moving to Bermuda, some specific documents will be required in order to satisfy local immigration officials.
PERSONAL & HOUSEHOLD GOODS The following documents are required to import personal & household goods into Bermuda:
Required Documents
Details
Letter authorizing the Destination Agent
Letter authorizing the destination agent to clear the shipment through customs.
Duties Household goods and personal effects can be imported under the following conditions: • • •
A customs bond must be posted for 33.38% of the value of the goods. The value is usually based upon the insured amount. Used clothing and books are permitted duty-free. The shipper’s presence at customs clearance is recommended.
Details: • • •
A customs officer will be present during delivery at the residence to assess duty on each item. The following is the percentage of duty based upon customs assessed value: appliances at 33.4%, furniture and sporting goods at 22.25%, and antiques at 8.5%. Household effects imported by new residents (persons traveling to Bermuda to take up residence), are subject to duty.
Restricted and Prohibited – Imports All countries, Bermuda included, prohibit or restrict the importation of certain dangerous or sensitive items.
Restricted Items: • • •
All new items require invoices and will be assessed duties. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are restricted to duty-free import in the following quantities: 1.137liters of spirits or 1.137 liters of wine; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. If these quantities are exceeded, then customs duties will be assessed against the Bermuda Customs Tariff. Fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, shellfish products, shells and soil require import permits and will undergo inspection upon arrival.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Bermuda
Prohibited Items: • • • • • • •
All types of weapons including flick knives, blowguns, spear guns, toy guns, mace, martial arts weaponry, signal guns, swords, etc. Firearms and ammunition. Explosives including pyrotechnics. Gold and silver coins. Pornographic materials. Political literature. Queen Conch (Strombus Gigas) and Harbour Conch (Strombus Costatus) Illegal narcotics are strictly prohibited.
Restricted and Prohibited – Exports •
Not available.
Motor Vehicles – Imports The following documents are required for the importation of motor vehicles:
Required Documents
Details
License
From the transport control department must be obtained.
Details: • • •
Motor vehicles are subject to duties and must not be older than 6 months. Automobiles are restricted to size and engine capacity. Motorcycles over 100 cc are prohibited.
Motor Vehicles – Exports •
Not available.
Pets The requirements to transport dogs and cats may vary per country. If you wish to ship your pet, please contact the airline or country Consulate/Embassy for specific details concerning your type, breed and documentation for pets.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Bermuda
IMPORTANT CUSTOMS REMINDER Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import, not by UniGroup Relocation and are subject to change without notice by the country of import. All regulations may vary according to the customer’s nationality or immigration status. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. UniGroup Relocation cannot be responsible for changes in the law, or interpretation by immigration or customs enforcement personnel, or non-compliance with the law as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country. Contact with the local Consulate or Embassy for further information concerning your specific visa, residence and entry situation is strongly recommended prior to planning your move.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Bermuda
WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL International wood packing requirements are in accordance with ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade*) as of 5 July 2006: *ISPM 15 is produced by the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). ISPM 15 requires certain phytosanitary procedures, in particular heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation, relating to wood packaging material (including dunnage) made of raw wood in use in international trade; the phytosanitary procedures are meant to minimize the risk of introducing and spreading certain pests that live and breed in raw wood.
REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 Wood packaging material in the form of: • • • • • •
Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings Pallets, box pallets, skids, and other load boards Pallet collars actually in use in the transport of objects of all kinds, except: Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or any combination thereof
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
The wood packaging material shall: • •
Be subject to one of the approved measures as specified in Annex I To FAO ISPM 15 (currently, heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation) Display a mark with: o The two-letter ISO Country Code (in place of XX in the image below) o A code identifying the producer (in place of 000 in the image below) o The code identifying the approved measure applied to the wood packing material in the mark as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (in place of YY in the image below; examples are HT For “Heat Treatment” and MB for “Methyl Bromide Fumigation”) o Where “debarking” is required, the letters “DB” shall be added to the abbreviation of the approved measure included in the said mark o The logo as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (this logo is the ippc trademarked graphic symbol shown in the image below on the left side)
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Bermuda
REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 (Continued) Wood packaging material in the form of:
The wood packaging material shall: •
Markings should be: 1. 2.
• •
Permanent and not transferable Legible and visible, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article being certified
Be marked in accordance with Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (see directly above under "Display a mark with:") If not, at a minimum it should be made from bark-free wood that is free from pests and signs of live pests
DUNNAGE, i.e. wood used to wedge or support non-wood cargo, including that which has not kept its natural round surface except: • •
Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or a combination thereof
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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