Hats and caps duty in The Bahamas 2026-2027: 45%
The Bahamas Customs duty rate for hats and caps in 2026-2027 is 45% (tariff code 6505.0000). 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 hats and caps bought for $80 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
- $80.00
- Duty at 45%
- $36.00
- $10.00
- Environmental levy
- None
- Freight
- $15.00
- Landed cost
- $141.00
- VAT, 10% of landed cost
- $14.10
- Paid to Customs75% of the price
- $60.10
Freight paid to your courier is not dutiable, but it joins the landed cost that VAT is charged on.
The same hats and caps 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 taken as 10% of the price, with a $15 minimum.
| Price paid | Duty | Fee | Levy | VAT | To Customs | Of the price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40 (low) | $18.00 | $10.00 | None | $8.30 | $36.30 | 91% |
| $80 (typical) | $36.00 | $10.00 | None | $14.10 | $60.10 | 75% |
| $250 (high) | $112.50 | $10.00 | None | $39.75 | $162.25 | 65% |
Tariff code 6505.0000: the Act’s line for hats and caps
Hats and other headgear, knitted or made up from lace, felt or other textile fabric. The code, description and rate 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, read against the Customs Department's booklet of frequently imported items and its online duty lookup.
How hats and caps compares with the other items
This guide covers 20 clothing and accessories: 7 duty free, and the rest run from 20% to 45% on hair extensions. At 45%, hats and caps carries the highest rate in the category, shared with 1 other item. Across all 244 items with a percentage rate, 198 carry a lower rate and 15 a higher one. The most common rate is 0%, charged on 95 items.
Questions about hats and caps and Bahamas Customs
Is hats and caps duty free in The Bahamas?
No. The duty rate on hats and caps is 45%, charged on the price you paid.
How much will Customs charge if I buy hats and caps for $80?
About $60.10, which is 75% of the price: $36.00 duty, $10.00 processing fee, $0.00 levy and $14.10 VAT, with $15.00 freight paid to the courier.
How is VAT worked out on hats and caps?
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 $141.00, or $14.10. VAT is charged even when the item is duty free.
Can I bring hats and caps 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 45% duty on the excess, with no processing fee on accompanied baggage.
Is 45% a high duty rate for The Bahamas?
Yes, it is near the top: of the 244 items in this guide with a percentage rate, 198 are charged less than hats and caps and 15 more. The most common rate is 0%, and 95 items are duty free.