Car, over 10 years old duty in The Bahamas 2026-2027: 65%
The charge on car, over 10 years old in The Bahamas for 2026-2027 is 65% excise duty (tariff code 8703.2330); the Tariff Act's customs duty on the line is free, so the excise duty is the charge that matters. The environmental levy on this item is 20% of landed cost. On top of that, every import pays a processing fee of 1% of the value (at least $10.00, at most $1,000.00) and 10% VAT on the landed cost, which includes the freight.
What car, over 10 years old bought for $8,000 pays at Customs
Shipped as freight with $1,500.00 shipping on the seller's invoice, so the shipping is dutiable and your broker files the C13 entry. Type your own price into the card and the figures follow.
- Dutiable value
- $9,500.00
- Duty at 65%
- $6,175.00
- $95.00
- Environmental levy
- 20% of landed cost
- Freight
- $1,500.00
- Landed cost
- $15,770.00
- VAT, 10% of landed cost
- $1,577.00
- Paid to Customs98% of the price
- $7,847.00
The levy on this item is 20% of landed cost, which depends on the final landed figure, so it is left out of the estimate.
The same car, over 10 years old at three prices
Duty and VAT scale with the price, but the processing fee has a $10 floor and a $1,000 ceiling, so the share of the price that goes to Customs settles once the fee is past its floor. Freight is held at the same figure on each line.
| Price paid | Duty | Fee | Levy | VAT | To Customs | Of the price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,000 (low) | $3,575.00 | $55.00 | 20% of landed cost | $913.00 | $4,543.00 | 114% |
| $8,000 (typical) | $6,175.00 | $95.00 | 20% of landed cost | $1,577.00 | $7,847.00 | 98% |
| $24,000 (high) | $16,575.00 | $255.00 | 20% of landed cost | $4,233.00 | $21,063.00 | 88% |
Tariff code 8703.2330: the Act’s line for car, over 10 years old
Used petrol cars exceeding 10 years old, 1,500 to 3,000 cc. The Tariff Act marks line 8703.2330 as subject to excise duty: the customs duty on it is free and the 65% excise rate shown here is the one the Customs Department publishes in its booklet of frequently imported items. The code and description are from the schedule to the Tariff Act 2023, as amended by the Tariff (Amendment) Acts of 2024, 2025 and 2026 and in force from 1 July 2026.
Customs duty is free; excise duty is charged instead, 65% in the booklet, plus a levy of 20% of the landed cost.
How car, over 10 years old compares with the other items
This guide covers 27 vehicles and parts: none duty free, and rates run from 5% to 85% on bus, over 10 passengers. At 65%, car, over 10 years old sits in the middle of the category: 21 vehicles and parts pay less and 3 pay more. Across all 244 items with a percentage rate, 236 carry a lower rate and 5 a higher one. The most common rate is 0%, charged on 95 items.
Questions about car, over 10 years old and Bahamas Customs
Is car, over 10 years old duty free in The Bahamas?
No. The duty rate on car, over 10 years old is 65%, charged on the price you paid plus the shipping on the seller's invoice.
How much will Customs charge if I buy car, over 10 years old for $8,000?
About $7,847.00, which is 98% of the price: $6,175.00 duty, $95.00 processing fee, $0.00 levy and $1,577.00 VAT, with $1,500.00 freight on the seller's invoice.
How is VAT worked out on car, over 10 years old?
VAT is 10% of the landed cost: the value plus freight plus duty plus the processing fee plus any levy. In the example that is 10% of $15,770.00, or $1,577.00. VAT is charged even when the item is duty free.
Can I bring car, over 10 years old in my luggage without paying?
Residents may bring in $500 of dutiable goods twice a calendar year and visitors $100 per trip, declared on the C17 in the Exempt app. Anything above the allowance pays 65% duty on the excess, with no processing fee on accompanied baggage.
Is 65% a high duty rate for The Bahamas?
Yes, it is near the top: of the 244 items in this guide with a percentage rate, 236 are charged less than car, over 10 years old and 5 more. The most common rate is 0%, and 95 items are duty free.