Shipping From Canada
to Aruba.

Documents Only

Customs officials of Aruba will admit the items below as a document shipment:

• Advertising literature
• Annual reports
• Bids and proposals
• Business cards
• Calendars
• Charts
• Computer print-outs
• Drawings
• Intercompany mail
• Manuscripts
• Newspapers, periodicals, and publications
• Pamphlets and price lists
• Passports
• Photographs
• Seismic data
• Transparencies
• Traveller's cheques
• Visa applications

Aruban customs will allow the following items into the country as a document shipment if they follow the restriction shown below.

Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_CA

Shipping Gifts

All gift shipments sent to Aruba will incur duties and taxes no matter the value of the parcel.

Shipments from Individual-to-Individual

If an individual in Canada sends a gift parcel to an individual in Aruba, the recipient will be liable to duty and tax charges even if the parcel's value is nominal.

Shipments from Business-to-Business

Should a business in Canada send a gift to a business in Aruba, the parcel will have duties and taxes applied to it regardless of the value of the gift.

Shipments from Business-to-Individual

A gift shipment from a business in Canada to an individual in Aruba will incur taxes and duties even if the shipment is of little monetary value.

Gift Checklist

• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
• The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
• List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
• Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.

Multiple Gifts in One Shipment

If your parcel contains multiple gifts, be sure to wrap and tag each one separately.

Sources:
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/ancillary-clearance-service.html

Shipping Personal Effects

The shipment of personal effects to Aruba from Canada when moving permanently to the island will be exempt from customs duties provided:

• The goods are used
• The items will be used in the same manner in Aruba as in Canada
• The exemption is claimed within 1 year of having moved to Aruba

NOTE:
Goods may enter Aruba in several shipments as long as they do so no later than 12 months from the official entry of the claimant.

Moving Temporarily

Students

No information is available at this time concerning students moving temporarily to Aruba with their personal belongings.

Non-students

Non-students who move to Aruba temporarily will be exempt from duties on their personal belongings if:

• They have lived outside* of Aruba for a minimum of 1 year
• The goods are used, i.e. not new
• The belongings will be used in the same fashion in Aruba as they were overseas

*A permanent residence is defined as living in one place for at least 185 days per calendar year.

Moving Permanently

Persons moving permanently to Aruba may ship their personal belongings duty-free under the following conditions:

• They will use the goods in Aruba as they were before moving
• The goods are NOT new, that is they have been used
• Claims for duty exemption occur no longer than 12 months after having taken up residence in Aruba (goods may enter in separate shipments during that 12 months)

*Each person of the household will be entitled to a duty-free entry for new household items up to the limit of Rs 1,000 (about $95 CAD).

Personal Effects Checklist

• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
• Commercial invoice must clearly state 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
• A detailed description of each item is provided
• Permanent movers, complete Form request exemption household goods

Sources:
https://www.douane.aw/en/conditions-for-exemption/
https://www.douane.aw/en/exemption-applications/
https://www.douane.aw/en/forwarded-household-effects/

Food, Chocolate, Candies

Most foodstuffs entering Aruba require a licence. However, non-commercial shipments for personal use with a value of Afl. 100 or less (about $70 CAD) will be accepted by customs officials

You May Ship

• Chocolate
• Candy
• Non-perishable goods

Do Not Ship

• Perishables - meat, fish, produce

Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist

• Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
• Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
• You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
• Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments

Sources:
https://www.government.aw/governance-administration/law-texts-1012-prijsvorming_45152/item/1012gt91018-landsbesluit-invoervergunning-goederen_22183.html

Samples

Commercial samples, i.e. items of little value put on display to solicit sales, may enter Aruba from Canada exempt from import duties.

Goods must be made unsellable through mutilation, for example cutting, marking, etc. However, this can be done without the item losing functionality (as may be the case with a mechanical device).

Commercial Sample Checklist

• A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
• Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
• The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample

Sources:
https://www.government.aw/governance-administration/law-texts-1012-prijsvorming_45152/item/1012gt91018-landsbesluit-invoervergunning-goederen_22183.html

Advertising Material

Advertising material shipped to Aruba will be allowed a temporary entry to the country, and as such, will require Temporary Import Bond (TIB).

Advertising Material Checklist

• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
• A detailed description of each item is provided

Sources:
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/ancillary-clearance-service.html

Repairs

Machinery and equipment may enter Aruba duty-free if it is imported temporarily for repairs. Goods will require a temporary import bond (TIB).

Items Under Warranty

No information is available concerning the repair of machinery and equipment under warranty.

Items No Longer Under Warranty

Equipment and machinery no longer under warranty may enter Aruba exempt from duty as long as it is a temporary importation. (A Temporary Import Bond - TIB - must accompany the shipment.)

Sending Product for Repair to Aruba

Items requiring repair will be allowed a duty-free entry into Aruba provided they will be re-exported once the work is done. Customs will require a Temporary Import Bond (TIB) with the shipment.

Returning Repaired Product to Aruba

There is no information available at this time concerning the return of goods to Aruba that were repaired in Canada.

Repair Checklist

• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return(see sample)
• Include repair contract with shipment
• Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
• Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Aruba or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment

Sources:
https://www.government.aw/governance-administration/law-texts-1012-prijsvorming_45152/item/1012gt91018-landsbesluit-invoervergunning-goederen_22183.html
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/ancillary-clearance-service.html

Temporary Imports

Goods of a temporary nature - commercial samples, equipment requiring repair - may enter Aruba exempt from customs duties. Customs may demand a Temporary Import Bond (TIB) to accompany the shipment.

Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import

In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Aruba, you can pick from Option 1 or 2 of the Temporary Import Methods listed below.

Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a commercial invoice. More details below.

In addition to choosing option 1 or 2, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:

• The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
• Stay no longer than 24 months in Hungary

• If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
• Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically CANNOT clear goods of temporary nature).

Temporary Imports Checklist

• Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
• The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
• Stay no longer than the period listed above
• Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
• Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
• Any above listed items not listed in this checklist

Sources:
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/ancillary-clearance-service.html
https://www.government.aw/governance-administration/law-texts-1012-prijsvorming_45152/item/1012gt91018-landsbesluit-invoervergunning-goederen_22183.html

Permanent/Sold Goods

All sold goods that enter Aruba from Canada will incur duty and tax charges even if the value of the shipment is nominal.

NOTE:
The Aruban government has implemented a VAT that will take effect 1 January 2023, which will replace the current turnover taxes (BBO, BAZV, and BAVP). Therefore, from this date forward, VAT will be incurred by all importations of sold goods.

Occasional Shipper

Sold goods shipped on an occasional basis to an individual in Aruba will incur duties and taxes regardless of the value of the shipment. And starting 1 January 2023, VAT will be implemented by the Aruban government and applied to all incoming sold goods.

Regular shipper

Regular shippers of sold goods to Aruba from Canada are advised to use the services of an Aruban licenced customs broker to ensure that all importation regulations are followed.

Sources:
https://www.government.aw/news/news_47033/item/personal-number-is-required-for-frequent-importers_34921.html
https://www.overheid.aw/