[home] [Real Estate Basics] Bonaire Duties, Tariffs, and Customs
There are three seaports, into or out of which goods are transported by ship. Consumer goods pass through the port of Kralendijk, which has three piers. One pier is used for container goods.
The general regulation concerning the import and export of goods, dates from 1908 and is made for the protection of local production and reduction of the import of luxury articles.
Furniture and Household Goods. Residents and non-residents may import goods to Bonaire. Duties are applicable. Property owners can avoid payment if they import household goods within three months after they receive their residency. In this case, your private household goods are not subject to any import duties as long as all is brought in at one time. In the event that not everything can be imported at the same time you should consult the customs inspector. With a valid reason for not being able to bring in all your belongings at the same time, he will give you a time period in which these items can still be imported tax free, mostly this period will be 6 month's. If you don't do this, you will have to pay the applicable taxes. When it concerns new articles and no private household goods, you pay the normal import duties. You must be able to prove that it concerns household goods.
If, in fact, you have received your residence permit and intend to import household goods within the given time-frame customs requires the following documents:
- Residence license
- Proof of registry at the civil registry
In failing to present any one of these documents you have to pay a deposit, the amount depends on the items that you are importing.
Overseas Containers
Your household goods can be shipped to Bonaire by sea container. Several companies specialize in this transport. It depends on the company how long it takes for a container from the States or Holland to reach Bonaire. The prices are exclusive of the cost of clearance in and out, e.g. loading of the container, costs of ground transport, the export document, etc.
A forwarding agent in the States can take care of shipping your belongings. One of the most widely used forwarding agents is:
AMCAR Freight, Inc.
7700 NW 81 Place
Miami, FL 33166
Phone 305-599-8866
Fax 305- 599-2808
For individual items, the price for shipping the items is calculated per cubic meter (m3). Another option is buying a container. On privately owned containers you have to pay import tax. A 20 foot container is valued at Nafl. 3500.-, a 40 foot container is valued at Nafl. 5000.-.
When your container is on the wharf on Bonaire, it has to be cleared. The clearance documents cost Nafl. 75.-. Port duties for a 20-foot container are Nafl. 83.50, and for a 40-foot container, Nafl. 97.50. The container will be transported to your home. Transport costs within Kralendijk are Nafl. 125.-, and outside Kralendijk Nafl. 250.-. These prices are subject to change.
Important: if importing household goods, you will have to be in possession of your residence permit when you want to clear your container and avoid duties. If you are not in possession of a residence permit, you pay US$ 35 for each day the container is on the wharf.
List of Regulations
Import duties & sales tax on products not carried as household goods:
| Description | Import
tax % | Sales
tax % | Description | Import
tax% | Sales
tax % |
TV/video
CD Player
Household Items:
Stoves
Dryer
Dish washer
Refrigerator
Freezer
Boiler
Water heater
Microwave
Air conditioner
Transformers
Fan
Bicycles
Sea containers
Vacuum cleaner
Electric shaver
Iron
Sewing machine
Other Machines:
Typewriters
Office machines
Photo camera
FAX/Telephone
Computer
Linen
Table clothes
Carpets
Curtains |
10.5
17
17
17
17
10.5
27
27
27
27
10.5
27
10.5
10.5
27
27
22
10.5
10.5
10.5
10.5
10.5
10.5
27
27 | 5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5 | Furniture
Rattan Furniture
Wall clock
China
Washer
Kitchen utensils
Electric appliances
Silverware
Transport:
Car
Parts
Motorbike/scooter
Boats
Motorcycle
Various:
Toys
Surf board
Diving equipment
Art
Collections
Antiques > 100yrs old
Safes
Sunshades
Clothes Old/New
Kitchens | 27
27 + 18
27
13
17
27
10.5
27+18
27
27+18
10.5
27+18
10.5
10.5
10.5
.5
.5
6
27
27
10.5
27+18 | 5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5 |
For specific products not listed, ask for duty rates at the customs office: Ontvangers kantoor, J.S. Abraham Boulevard 27, Bonaire, tel. 717 5330.
Importing Household Items
The electricity on Bonaire is 127 Volts, 50 cycles, although many homes have 220 Volt, 50 cycle outlets in various parts of the house. For comparison, U.S. electricity is 110-120 Volts, 60 Cycles, while Holland is 220 Volts, 50 cycles.
For Dutch appliances, you need to either plug them into a 220 Volt socket, or get a step-up transformer.
For American appliances with motors in them (washing machines, refrigerators, etc.) you need to compensate for the 50 Hz (cycle) change in the current, which usually requires getting a step-down transformer, and converting the normal 127 Volts to 105 or 100 Volts. For computers and other electronics devices, a transformer to step-down the voltage to around 110 Volts is advised, and if the equipment is sensitive to power fluctuations, a power regulator such as that found in Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSes) is recommended.
For specific appliances, review the following:
Washing machines - you can bring them, but American and Dutch brands are available on the island.
Dishwashers - can be imported but they are also available on the island.
Air conditioners - one or more air conditioners will already have been installed in almost any existing house. You can also buy ceiling fans and have additional air conditioners installed. Fans and air-conditioners available on island.
Cars - no problem, but it is important to see if there is a dealer of your car on the island or you will have a problem getting spare parts and service. The cars commonly seen on the island include Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, and Kia.
Hot water heaters - when you want to bring your hot water heater with you, take into consideration that the burners will have to be replaced with burners suitable for liquid propane gas. The changing of the burners cannot be done on the island and it is advisable to have it done in your country.
Freezers - a freezer is a must. However, European freezers are not suitable for the tropics. It is advisable to buy one on Bonaire.
Gas stoves - the same as for the hot water heater, the burners must be changed to propane burners. Good gas stoves are available on Bonaire.
Refrigerators - European made refrigerators are not suitable for the tropics. The refrigerators on Bonaire are American made, much bigger and better.
Televisions - the Dutch cannot use the televisions from the Netherlands. Bonaire has taken the American NTSC system and not the PAL system that is used in Holland. Good TV's are available on the island.
Video tape players/recorders - same as for televisions.
The Car
There are several car dealers on the island: Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, Kia and Toyota. If a resident imports household goods within the given time-frame you can import one (1) car duty free as long as it has been in your name for at least 1 year before you left the States or the Netherlands. It must be your private car and not registered in a company name. You can prove this with the car registration. When the car has been in your name for less than 1 year, you have to pay an import duty of approx. 45% plus the 5% sales tax.
Don't forget that a L.P.G. gas filling station is not available on the island. Only petrol/gasoline is available (regular and lead free), as is diesel fuel.
Car registration: Liability insurance is compulsory. The tax receiver of the island gives you a number, a taxpayer's number which is connected to the road tax. For a private car, this will be about US$ 140.- a year. With your tax number, you go to an insurance company. To get your car insured, you need a driver's license and your no-claim certificate, if applicable. The insurance company of your choice will accept the no-claim certificate of your last insurance company.
License Plates - with your registration and your insurance policy, go to the island tax receiver where you will receive your Bonaire license plates. The plates cost US$ 7.- for a vehicle or US$ 5.- for a scooter or motorbike.
Renting a car - there are several car rental companies on the island. The average rental, including insurance, amounts to approximately US$ 60.- a day. Best to pay it with your credit card. One has to be over 21 to rent a car.
Driver's license -Your Dutch or American driver's license must be registered at the driver's license department (SSV) as soon as possible. Your American driver's license is not valid after 30 days of residency. You have to apply for a Bonairean license and we advise you do so as soon as you have registered at the civil registry. You must go to SSV to make an appointment to take a driving test after the driving test they will give you an Antillean license, it will cost you about US$ 90. You will need the following papers:
- Passport
- Health certificate
- Registration permit
- US$ 90
- Passport photos
- Copy of your original driver's license
To renew your driver's license, you need a proof of registration, two passport photos, a health certificate and a seal (sticker, US$ 9.-).
With the doctor's certificate and your own declaration form, you'll go to a medical doctor for a medical examination. With this, you can obtain your renewed driver's license at the Office of Driver's Licenses for US$ 20.-.
If your driver's license expired less than a year ago, it can be renewed. If it has been expired for between 1 and 3 years, you will have to do a practical examination. If over three years, you have to apply for a new driver's license for which you will have to pass both the practical and theoretical exams.
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