Cigars duty in The Bahamas 2026-2027: $3 per stick
Cigars is charged excise duty of $3 per stick in The Bahamas for 2026-2027 (tariff code 2402.1010); the Tariff Act's customs duty on the line is free, so the excise duty is the charge that matters. There is no environmental levy on this item. 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 cigars bought for $60 pays at Customs
Bought online and shipped by courier with $15.00 freight paid to the courier. The courier files the C18A parcel list and collects this from you, with its own handling fee on top. Type your own price into the card and the figures follow.
- Dutiable value
- $60.00
- Duty, charged per unit
- see note
- $10.00
- Environmental levy
- None
- Freight
- $15.00
- Landed cost
- $85.00
- VAT, 10% of landed cost
- $8.50
- Paid to Customs
- $18.50
This item is charged per unit ($3 per stick), so the duty line is left out. The fee, levy and VAT still apply.
Tariff code 2402.1010: the Act’s line for cigars
Cigars. The Tariff Act marks line 2402.1010 as subject to excise duty: the customs duty on it is free and the excise charge 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.
How cigars compares with the other items
Cigars is one of only 3 items in this guide charged by quantity rather than by value; the others are rum and cigarettes. That means the duty does not fall when you find a cheaper price, and the invoice value only matters for the processing fee and VAT. The other 45 food and drink here carry a percentage rate.
Questions about cigars and Bahamas Customs
Is cigars duty free in The Bahamas?
No. Cigars is charged $3 per stick, whatever the price on the invoice.
How much will Customs charge if I buy cigars for $60?
Duty on this item is charged per unit ($3 per stick), so the total depends on the quantity. The 1% processing fee, any levy and 10% VAT on the landed cost apply on top.
How is VAT worked out on cigars?
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 $85.00, or $8.50. VAT is charged even when the item is duty free.
Can I bring cigars 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 $3 per stick duty on the excess, with no processing fee on accompanied baggage.