Towels duty in The Bahamas 2026-2027: 30%
The Bahamas Customs duty rate for towels in 2026-2027 is 30% (tariff code 6302.6000). 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 towels bought for $200 pays at Customs
Bought online and shipped by courier with $20.00 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
- $200.00
- Duty at 30%
- $60.00
- $10.00
- Environmental levy
- None
- Freight
- $20.00
- Landed cost
- $290.00
- VAT, 10% of landed cost
- $29.00
- Paid to Customs50% of the price
- $99.00
Freight paid to your courier is not dutiable, but it joins the landed cost that VAT is charged on.
The same towels 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 (low) | $30.00 | $10.00 | None | $15.50 | $55.50 | 56% |
| $200 (typical) | $60.00 | $10.00 | None | $29.00 | $99.00 | 50% |
| $600 (high) | $180.00 | $10.00 | None | $85.00 | $275.00 | 46% |
Tariff code 6302.6000: the Act’s line for towels
Toilet linen and kitchen linen of terry towelling, of cotton. 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.
The booklet lists towels at 20% and hand towels as free. The Act has one line for terry towels at 30%, and the Department's lookup agrees.
How towels compares with the other items
This guide covers 30 home: 3 duty free, and the rest run from 15% to 60% on mattress. At 30%, towels sits in the middle of the category: 12 home pay less and 15 pay more. Across all 244 items with a percentage rate, 168 carry a lower rate and 66 a higher one. The most common rate is 0%, charged on 95 items.
Questions about towels and Bahamas Customs
Is towels duty free in The Bahamas?
No. The duty rate on towels is 30%, charged on the price you paid.
How much will Customs charge if I buy towels for $200?
About $99.00, which is 50% of the price: $60.00 duty, $10.00 processing fee, $0.00 levy and $29.00 VAT, with $20.00 freight paid to the courier.
How is VAT worked out on towels?
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 $290.00, or $29.00. VAT is charged even when the item is duty free.
Can I bring towels 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 30% duty on the excess, with no processing fee on accompanied baggage.
Is 30% a high duty rate for The Bahamas?
It is in the middle: of the 244 items in this guide with a percentage rate, 168 are charged less than towels and 66 more. The most common rate is 0%, and 95 items are duty free.