St. Barthelemy Import Duties & Taxes Explained

No, St. Barthelemy does not levy Value Added Tax (VAT) on imported goods since it is outside the EU VAT area.

The Droit de Quai is a local dock duty charged at 5% of the total value including shipping and insurance for most goods arriving in St. Barthelemy.

No, there is effectively no de minimis threshold, so almost all goods entering St. Barthelemy by air or sea are subject to the 5% duty regardless of value.

The 5% Droit de Quai is calculated on the CIF value, which includes the cost of your item plus insurance and shipping costs to the island.

Yes, motor vehicles are taxed at higher rates, typically 8% for standard cars and up to 30% for heavy commercial vehicles entering St. Barthelemy.

Yes, carriers like DHL or FedEx often pay the duty on your behalf and will charge a disbursement or brokerage fee, typically between $15 and $30.

No, St. Barthelemy is outside the EU Customs Union, so EU-specific exemptions like the €150 threshold do not apply to your shipment.

You should provide a commercial invoice or a detailed valued packing list to help customs officers assess your used personal belongings accurately.

The Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy local customs and Droit de Quai Service collect these charges, often facilitated by your shipping carrier upon delivery.

The standard customs duty rate is 20% on most consumer goods like clothing and electronics. Certain items such as heavy machinery may qualify for a reduced rate of 5%.