Guide to Sending Parcels to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The Caribbean nation of St. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines offers everyone a reason to visit. Hike up a live volcano, Mt. Soufrière; relax on its powder-white sand beaches; snorkel in its pristine waters; or sail amongst the harbours of its 32 islands.
The internet penetration rate for Vincentians is 65% with 79% of them on social media. This may reflect the nation's young population - 50% aged 35 or younger, and will no doubt power a healthy future for the islands' e-commerce industry.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Oct 6, 2023
8:49 am
Barrouallie, BA, VC
Delivered
Oct 5, 2023
7:18 am
Byera Village, BV , VC
In transit
Oct 4, 2023
9:03 pm
Georgetown, GE, VC
International Clearance
Oct 4, 2023
8:14 am
Kingstown, KI, VC
In transit
Oct 4, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Oct 3, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
All shipments of gifts entering St. Vincent and the Grenadines will incur duties and taxes even if the gift is of low value.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment from an individual in Canada to an individual in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be liable to duty and tax fees. This applies regardless of the value of the gift.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
Should your business in Canada send a gift to a business in St. Vincent, be advised that the contents will be charged tax and duty no matter the value of the gift.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
If a business in Canada ships a gift parcel to an individual in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the recipient will incur taxes and duties
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.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines City 01001 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 3 Oct 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If your shipment contains multiple gifts, be sure to wrap and tag each one separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines City 01001 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 3 Oct 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Persons who move to St. Vincent will receive a duty exemption for their personal effects if:
The goods have been in use by the claimant for a minimum of 1 year
It is clear they are not part of a commercial shipment
The goods arrive from 3 months before until no more than 3 months after the arrival of the individual
Concerning St. Vincent nationals who are returning to the country for permanent re-settlement, their personal effects may enter duty-free as long as:
The individual or family has lived outside of St. Vincent for a minimum of 10 years (and they can provide proof)
Only one item or set of items is in the shipment (details of allowable quantities of goods may be accessed
here)
For the first 4 years in St. Vincent, the shipment's goods are not rented, lent out, or sold to anyone
Moving Temporarily
Students
No information is available at this time regarding students moving temporarily and shipping their personal effects to St. Vincent for their studies.
Non-students
Non-students who move temporarily to St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be allowed a duty-free concession on their new or used personal effects under the following conditions:
The quantity of goods is reasonable for the size of the household entering the country
Items for use in a profession, trade, or occupation are allowed if the claimant owns them and have been used by him or her
Moving Permanently
Citizens of St. Vincent who are returning to the islands to live permanently will be allowed a duty-free entry of their personal effects provided:
They have lived overseas for 10 or more years (must provide proof)
The goods will not be sold, lent out, or bartered for 4 years after arrival
The shipment has only one item or set of goods for the household*
*Specific details of the quantity of allowable items in the shipment can be found
here.
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
For returning St. Vincentians moving permanently, proof of having lived abroad for at least 10 years
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines City 01001 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 3 Oct 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
As long as advertising materials have no commercial value, i.e. they cannot be sold, they will be allowed a duty-free entry into St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines City 01001 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 3 Oct 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Temporary importation of goods into St. Vincent and the Grenadines is not available; therefore goods for repair cannot be sent to the islands.
Items Under Warranty
Repair services for goods in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is not possible because the country does not have a temporary importation service
Items No Longer Under Warranty
As St. Vincent and the Grenadines do not allow the temporary importation of goods, it is impossible to ship items for repair to the islands.
Sending Product for Repair to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
It is not possible to send machinery and equipment to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for repair because customs does not accept the temporary importation of goods.
Returning Repaired Product to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
No information is available at this time concerning machinery and equipment repaired in Canada and returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines
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 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines City 01001 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 3 Oct 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
The temporary importation of goods is generally not allowed by customs regulations of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the exception of those for personal use. (They will be allowed a duty-free entry if accompanied by a security deposit, which will be refunded when the goods leave the country.)
ATA Carnets
Customs authorities of St. Vincent and the Grenadines do not accept ATA Carnets for the temporary importation of goods.
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
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines City 01001 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 3 Oct 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
All sold goods that enter St. Vincent and the Grenadines will incur duties and taxes whether they are of low value or an occasional occurrence.
Occasional Shipper
As there is no de minimis value (also known as a threshold) on sold goods entering St. Vincent, even occasional shipments will incur duties and VAT no matter their value.
Regular shipper
If you are a regular shipper of sold goods to St. Vincent, we advise you to employ the services of a licenced Vicentianne customs broker. This will ensure that all necessary paperwork accompanies your goods. For example, they may require a certificate of origin (COO) or import licences or permits.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines City 01001 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 3 Oct 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Prohibited goods will not be allowed to enter St. Vincent and the Grenadines while those listed as restricted may enter the country; however, they may require a licence or be limited in quantity.
The amount of taxes and duties applied to a shipment entering St. Vincent and the Grenadines is calculated by determining the CIF value of the shipment: The sum of the customs value plus insurance amount plus freight fees.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By determining the CIF value of your shipment before sending it to St. Vincent, you will have an estimate of the duty and taxes owed by the recipient
Thresholds
There is no threshold on goods entering St. Vincent. This means that all shipments, regardless of their value, will incur VAT and duties.
Currency
East Caribbean Dollar XCD
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
16%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Duties
Excise duties will be incurred on imports of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. Specific details for these items can be found
here
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Shipping Insurance
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Questions about Shipping to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Can I ship to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
Shipping to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.