News

Cabinet has approved an Order under Schedule 2 of the Customs Tariff Act (2023 Revision) to allow a temporary increase of the duty-free allowance for Cayman residents returning by air to the Cayman Islands for the holiday season.

From 1 December 2024 to 6 January 2025, Cayman residents returning from a visit overseas will be allowed to bring in, duty-free, dutiable personal and household goods (not including merchandise) up to a value of CI$1,000. This is an increase of CI$500.

Minister for Border Control, Labour & Culture Hon. Dwayne Seymour said, "We extend our gratitude to our Premier for supporting this initiative, which aligns with the Government's overarching goal of enhancing the quality of life for Caymanians. By approving a temporary increase in duty allowances, this measure will help ease the financial burden for individuals and families planning holiday travel, especially those who might struggle to cover additional duty costs.”

Returning residents are reminded that dutiable items with a value exceeding the duty-free allowance must be declared on the Customs & Border Control (CBC) Declaration form and presented to a CBC Officer upon arrival in the Cayman Islands. If a CBC officer suspects that a passenger has either failed to declare items that should be declared, has made a false declaration or is otherwise engaged in the smuggling of contraband, the passenger will be subject to questioning and search by the officer.

Returning residents are advised that the duty-free allowance does not apply to merchandise purchased for resale in their business. Those items must be properly declared and the applicable duty paid thereon.

It is important to emphasize that this temporary increase in the duty-free allowance ends on 6 January 2025.