Malt beverages duty in The Bahamas 2026-2027: 55%
The Bahamas Customs duty rate for malt beverages in 2026-2027 is 55% (tariff code 2202.9930). 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 malt beverages 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 at 55%
- $33.00
- $10.00
- Environmental levy
- None
- Freight
- $15.00
- Landed cost
- $118.00
- VAT, 10% of landed cost
- $11.80
- Paid to Customs91% of the price
- $54.80
Freight paid to your courier is not dutiable, but it joins the landed cost that VAT is charged on.
The same malt beverages 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30 (low) | $16.50 | $10.00 | None | $7.15 | $33.65 | 112% |
| $60 (typical) | $33.00 | $10.00 | None | $11.80 | $54.80 | 91% |
| $200 (high) | $110.00 | $10.00 | None | $34.00 | $154.00 | 77% |
Tariff code 2202.9930: the Act’s line for malt beverages
Malt beverages. 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 malt beverages compares with the other items
This guide covers 48 food and drink: 27 duty free, and the rest run from 5% to 300% on e-cigarettes with nicotine. At 55%, malt beverages sits in the middle of the category: 41 food and drink pay less and 3 pay more. Across all 244 items with a percentage rate, 230 carry a lower rate and 13 a higher one. The most common rate is 0%, charged on 95 items.
Questions about malt beverages and Bahamas Customs
Is malt beverages duty free in The Bahamas?
No. The duty rate on malt beverages is 55%, charged on the price you paid.
How much will Customs charge if I buy malt beverages for $60?
About $54.80, which is 91% of the price: $33.00 duty, $10.00 processing fee, $0.00 levy and $11.80 VAT, with $15.00 freight paid to the courier.
How is VAT worked out on malt beverages?
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 $118.00, or $11.80. VAT is charged even when the item is duty free.
Can I bring malt beverages 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 55% duty on the excess, with no processing fee on accompanied baggage.
Is 55% a high duty rate for The Bahamas?
Yes, it is near the top: of the 244 items in this guide with a percentage rate, 230 are charged less than malt beverages and 13 more. The most common rate is 0%, and 95 items are duty free.