Returning Student – A national who was studying abroad for at least 3 years and is returning home to reside permanently.
Involuntary Returned Migrant (Deportee) – A national who has been expelled (deported) from a country in which they resided.
Involuntary Returned Migrant (Deportee)
Conditions for Obtaining Duty-Free Concessions:
Failure to comply with any of the above may result in the levying of duties on all items imported.
Personal effects and household items include clothing, jewelry, hobby collections (e.g. stamps and coins), furniture, paintings and works of art, soft furnishings (e.g. curtains), and electrical appliances.
Please see Sample List of Personal and Household Items for Duty-Free Concessions.
Note: Grace periods for duty-free concessions on imported goods are as follows:
1. Returning Nationals bringing a vehicle into the Federation will be required to pay the following charges:- 12% Customs Service Charge plus the Environmental Levy – in relation to the Environmental Levy:
i. For Motor Vehicles imported in year of manufacture up to 24 months after the date of manufacture, EC$1,000.00;
ii. For Motor Vehicle imported after two (2) years but less than four (4) years after the date of manufacture, EC$3,500.00;
iii. For cars imported four (4) years or more after the date of manufacture, EC$5,000.00.
2.Only one (1) vehicle is allowed for duty-free concession per family.
3. The vehicle must be owned by the Returning National for at least six (6) months prior to arriving in the Federation and be accompanied with a copy of the title from the country of origin.
4. The Returning National must be 18 years of age or older and be a holder of a valid driver’s licence in the country of origin.
5. The vehicle must be cleared from Customs within six (6) months after arrival in the Federation from the country of origin of the Returning National, in accordance with grace periods of this policy or subsequent to the clearance of their personal and household items.
6. The ownership and/or control of the vehicle must not be transferred within three (3) years of the grant of the concession. Anyone selling a vehicle within three years on which a concession is granted should advise the buyer and notify the competent Authority so that the appropriate duties could be collected at the time of sale.
7. Where at any time within three (3) years of the grant of the concession, the Authority finds that the condition above is contravened, the Returning National may be ordered to pay on demand, the applicable duty and taxes as determined by the Customs & Excise Department.
