Shipping From Canada
to Haiti.

Documents Only

Haitian customs allows entry to the following items as documents:

• Advertising literature
• Airline tickets, passports, and visa applications
• Annual reports
• Brochures and pamphlets
• Business cards
• Calendars
• Catalogues and price lists
• Cheques and cash letters
• Computer print-outs
• Credit cards
• Drawings (including sepia drawings)
• Driver's licence
• Greeting cards and invitations
• Intercompany mail
• Manuscripts and publications
• Maps and charts
• Negotiable bonds and drafts
• Newspapers, magazines, and periodicals
• Photographs and slides
• Proposals and bids
• Seismic data
• Specifications sheets
• Transparencies

The items below may enter Haiti as a document if they abide by the criteria shown in the following table.

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

Shipping Gifts

Gifts shipments entering Haiti from Canada will be exempt from duty and taxes provided:

• The parcel is only for the use of the recipient or his or her family
• The quantity of goods in the shipment is clearly a non-commercial amount
• The shipper and recipient are private individuals
• The goods are considered to be low value

Shipments from Individual-to-Individual

A gift shipment from an individual in Canada to an individual in Haiti will not incur duty and taxes if:

• The gift is of low value
• The shipment is small and its contents are low in number, which is clearly a non-commercial quantity
• The gift is for the personal use of the recipient or his or her family only

Shipments from Business-to-Business

All gift shipments from a business in Canada to a business in Haiti will incur duty and taxes regardless of the value of the gift. (There are no thresholds or de minimis values.)

Shipments from Business-to-Individual

If a business in Canada sends a gift to an individual in Haiti, it will be considered a commercial transaction; therefore, duty and charges will be applied to the shipment no matter how low in value it is.

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

Provided the shipment contains gifts that are low in value and quantity, they may enter Haiti exempt from tax and duty charges. Also, the shipment must be sent from a private person in Canada to a private person in Haiti.

Finally, be sure to tag and wrap each gift separately.

Sources:
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-27-1317.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-28-1320.html

Shipping Personal Effects

Anyone who is moving to Haiti from Canada permanently will be granted a duty and tax exemption on their personal effects.

The conditions of the exemption includes the following:

• The goods were purchased in Canada
• They have been owned and used by the claimant for at least 1 year
• The goods are not to be sold, given away, or transferred
• The claimant has lived outside of Haiti for at least 1 year
• They shipment must arrive within 6 months of the individual taking up residence in Haiti

Personal effects comprise the following items:

• Household furniture and appliances
• Musical instruments
• Kitchen utensils, cutlery, tableware, etc.
• Decorations and furnishings
• Clothing and footwear
• Portable tools and instruments used for an occupation or profession

NOTE:
The following are disallowed duty and tax exemption entry as personal effects:

• Foodstuffs
• Alcoholic beverages
• Non-portable instruments and tools
• Commercial quantities of goods

Moving Temporarily

Students

There is no information at this time concerning students who move to Haiti with their personal effects in order to study in the country.

Non-students

Non-students who move temporarily to Haiti may ship their personal effects exempt from duties and taxes provided the items are for their personal use only, and will leave with them when they return to Canada.

Moving Permanently

If you move to Haiti permanently from Canada, your personal effects may enter the country exempt from duty and taxes provided:

• You have owned and used the goods for 1 year or more
• The goods were bought in Canada
• You have lived continuously outside of Haiti for a minimum of 1 year
• The shipment arrives within 6 months of you becoming a resident of Haiti
• You do not transfer, sell, or give away your belongings

The following qualify as personal effects eligible for exemption:

• Footwear and clothing
• Utensils and equipment in the kitchen and for eating
• Appliances and furniture
• Portable instruments and tools that are needed for a profession or trade
• Furnishings and decorations
• Musical instruments

NOTE:
The following will be taxed if they are included in a shipment of personal effects:

• Commercial quantities of goods
• Non-portable tools and instruments
• Alcoholic beverages
• Foodstuffs

Personal Effects Checklist

• They are imported strictly for the use of the individual and/or his or her family
• The amount of goods is clearly for the household only, and is not in a commercial quantity
• The shipment arrives no more than 30 days before and 90 days after the arrival of the owner of the goods

Sources:
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/index.php/attribution-definitive-de-marche/95-agd-publications/151-formalites-prealables-a-remplir-pour-un-dedouanement-rapide?start=2
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-14-1267.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-188.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-327.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-11-1258.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-12-1261.html
https://www.haiti-now.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Code-douanier-Dr.-Fran%C3%A7ois-Duvalier-1963.pdf

Food, Chocolate, Candies

Information concerning importation of foodstuffs into Haiti is limited at this time.

You May Ship

• Chocolate
• Candies

Do Not Ship

• Perishable items such as dairy and meat products

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

Samples

Commercial samples are representative items of a category of goods imported for display or demonstration. Their purpose is to solicit sales, and are not intended for sale.

Commercial samples may be imported into Haiti exempt from duty and taxes if they are of negligible value and have been rendered unsellable.

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.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-29-1327.html
https://www.haiti-now.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Code-douanier-Dr.-Fran%C3%A7ois-Duvalier-1963.pdf

Advertising Material

Advertising material may enter Haiti exempt from duties and taxes.

Advertising material can take the form of:

• Catalogues
• Posters
• Calendars
• Unframed photographs
• Instructional documents
• Commercial notices

The conditions for duty and tax exemption on printed material are as follows:

• The material must clearly state the company's name that is offering the goods or services
• The shipment has no commercial value and is sent to the recipient at no charge
• The shipment only contains 1 document or weighs no more than 1 kg

Advertising can also take the form of small samples of items such as food and drink products provided:

• They have a low unit value
• They are distributed at no charge for consumption at an exhibition or trade fair
• They are in an appropriate quantity for the size of the event
• The size of a sample is small and not suitable for sale

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.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-30-1332.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-31-1335.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-32-.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-33-1341.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-34-1344.html

Repairs

Equipment shipped to Haiti for repair will be exempt from duty and tax charges as long as the equipment is returned to Canada after the work is completed. This process is part of Haiti's inward processing regime and may require a bond or guarantee to accompany the importation.

Items Under Warranty

Items that have been shipped to Canada for a warranty repair may return to Haiti exempt from duties and taxes provided the repairs were done without charge.

Items No Longer Under Warranty

Items repaired in Canada without being under a warranty will incur duty and taxes by Haitian authorities. Also, GST will be applied to the repair costs and on any parts used to make the repairs.

Sending Product for Repair to Haiti

Haiti accepts importation of items for repair duty and tax free provided they are re-exported to Canada once the repairs are done. Be aware that a financial guarantee or bond may be necessary when the items enter Haiti.

Returning Repaired Product to Haiti

Equipment repaired in Canada under a warranty and at no charge may re-enter Haiti exempt from duties and taxes.

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 Haiti or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment

Sources:
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-163.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-165.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-166.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-172.html

Temporary Imports

Temporary imports may enter Haiti exempt from duties and taxes provided:

• They leave Haiti when their time in the country is finished
• They have remained unchanged except for normal wear-and-tear
• They stay no longer than 2 years in the country

Goods that typically benefit from temporary import exemptions include:

• Commercial samples that are displayed at exhibitions, fairs, or trade shows
• Items of an artistic, scientific, or sporting nature that will be exhibited

ATA Carnets

Haitian customs do not accept ATA Carnets for temporary imports.

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.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-157.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-158.html
https://www.douane.gouv.ht/AGD/code_douanier/text/Article-159.html

Permanent/Sold Goods

All sold goods entering Haiti will be liable to duties and taxes no matter their value. Haiti does not have a threshold or de minimis value below which no taxes or duties are incurred.

Occasional Shipper

Even if you only ship sold goods occasionally to Haiti, those items will incur duty and taxes regardless of their value.

Regular shipper

Regular shippers of sold goods to Haiti should consult a licenced Haitian shipping broker to ensure that all local rules and regulations are being followed.

Sources:
https://www.haiti-now.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Code-douanier-Dr.-Fran%C3%A7ois-Duvalier-1963.pdf