Guide to Sending Parcels to Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos is an archipelago known for its conch-filled waters, sugar-white beaches, and 350 days of sunshine per year. No wonder that this Caribbean paradise has twice been enticed to join Canada, and sadly for us, both invitations were declined.
The population of Turks and Caicos is young - 35 is the median age, and the citizen's use of social media is a notable 90%. E-commerce is clearly poised to boom, and for Canadians that's good news - Turks and Caicos Islanders speak English and use the USD.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Turks and Caicos Islands through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Turks and Caicos Islands. 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 Turks and Caicos Islands
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Oct 6, 2023
8:49 am
North Caicos, NC , TC
Delivered
Oct 5, 2023
7:18 am
Cockburn Town, CT , TC
In transit
Oct 4, 2023
9:03 pm
Providenciales, PR, TC
International Clearance
Oct 4, 2023
8:14 am
Middle Caicos, MC, TC
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 Turks and Caicos Islands 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:
While gift shipments are allowed entry into the islands of Turks and Caicos, they will incur duties no matter their value.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
Gift shipments from an individual in Canada to an individual in Turks and Caicos will be liable to duty and VAT fees even if the items have a nominal value.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
All gifts shipped from any business in Canada to a business in Turks and Caicos will be assessed import duties and V
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
Gift shipments from a business in Canada to an individual in Turks and Caicos will be dutiable even if it is small and of low 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.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Husain Salahuddin Medhuziyaaraly Magu Malé 20158 Turks and Caicos Islands
Phone: +(960) 300 7200
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, please wrap and tag each one separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Husain Salahuddin Medhuziyaaraly Magu Malé 20158 Turks and Caicos Islands
Phone: +(960) 300 7200
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
Personal effects shipped to Turks and Caicos will be allowed a duty-free* entry for both citizens returning to the islands to live permanently and immigrants.
The conditions for a duty exemption include:
The goods will be used only by the claimant or his or her family
The claimant or family has owned and used the goods for a minimum of 12** months
The items will NOT be sold or otherwise given away for 1 year after importation
The claimant intends to live in Turks and Caicos for at least a year
The goods arrive within 6 months of the entry of the claimant
*The following items will not be allowed a duty-free entry into the country:
Foodstuffs
Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco products
Perfumes
**Regarding textile household goods, footwear, and clothing, they must have been owned for only a minimum of 3 months AND their value cannot exceed $500 USD - about $625 CAD (rugs and carpets are excluded from these criteria)
Moving Temporarily
Students
Students moving to the Islands to study will be allowed to ship their personal effects duty-free if:
They will be in Turks and Caicos for a minimum of 1 year
The goods are for their use only whilst studying
Clothing and footwear must have been owned for a minimum of 3 months and an item may have a value of no more than $500 USD (about $625 CAD)
NOTE: Duty CANNOT be claimed for alcoholic beverages, perfumes, tobacco products, and foodstuffs.
Returning Students
Concerning students who have been studying abroad and are returning to Turks and Caicos, they may ship their personal effects exempt from duties provided they have been away for a minimum of 2 years.
Non-students
Information concerning non-students moving temporarily to Turks and Caicos is unavailable at this time.
Moving Permanently
People moving permanently to Turks and Caicos - Island citizens and immigrants - may ship their personal effects duty-free provided:
The goods have been used and owned for at least 1* year
The items will only be used by the claimants (or their family members), and will remain in their possession for a minimum of 1 year
The individual or family plan to live in Turks and Caicos for a year at minimum
The shipment arrives no more than 6 months after residence is established
*Items such as footwear, clothing and textile household goods only have to have been owned for 3 months, but are only allowed a maximum individual value of $500 USD (about $625 CAD)
NOTE: Tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, foodstuffs, and perfumes will incur duties.
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Husain Salahuddin Medhuziyaaraly Magu Malé 20158 Turks and Caicos Islands
Phone: +(960) 300 7200
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
Machinery and equipment shipped to Canada from Turks and Caicos for repairs will incur duty charges on the value of the work when they re-enter the islands unless the work was done under a warranty. (See below for details.)
Items Under Warranty
Goods such as machinery and instruments repaired in Canada at no charge due to a warranty obligation will be allowed to re-enter Turks and Caicos duty-free if they were returned to Canada within 6 months of their original importation to the Islands
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Sending Product for Repair to Turks and Caicos Islands
No information is available at the moment concerning goods shipped to Turks and Caicos from Canada for repairs.
Returning Repaired Product to Turks and Caicos Islands
Products repaired in Canada will incur duties when they are returned to Turks and Caicos unless the work was done under a warranty, and
At no charge; and
Returned to Canada within 6 months of having originally entering Turks and Caicos
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 Turks and Caicos Islands or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Husain Salahuddin Medhuziyaaraly Magu Malé 20158 Turks and Caicos Islands
Phone: +(960) 300 7200
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
Goods of a temporary nature will be given a reduced or full exemption of import duties under the following conditions:
The goods are re-exported within 7 days of their entry (or other time period agreed to by the Collector of Customs)
A security deposit in the amount of duties owed is placed with the Collector of Customs
The goods are NOT to be exchanged, given away, sold, or lent out whilst on the Islands
ATA Carnets
At this time Turks and Caicos customs officials do not recognise 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
Husain Salahuddin Medhuziyaaraly Magu Malé 20158 Turks and Caicos Islands
Phone: +(960) 300 7200
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 Turks and Caicos will incur duty regardless of the value of the shipment (the islands do not have a VAT or a GST).
NOTE: Even if particular goods are duty-free, they will still have a customs processing fee of 7.5% applied to them.
Occasional Shipper
If you only occasionally ship sold goods to someone in Turks and Caicos, for example via eBay, be advised that your shipment will incur duty fees even if the item has a low value. And each shipment will incur a 7.5% customs processing fee even if the items have a 0% duty rate.
Regular shipper
For regular shippers of sold goods to Turks and Caicos, we recommend that you use the services of a Turks and Caicos Islander licenced shipping broker.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Husain Salahuddin Medhuziyaaraly Magu Malé 20158 Turks and Caicos Islands
Phone: +(960) 300 7200
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 Turks and Caicos Islands. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Turks and Caicos Islands, 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
Turks and Caicos prohibits a number of imports; these goods will not be allowed entry into the country. However, goods deemed restricted will be allowed onto the islands but they may require a government licence or permit beforehand.
Prohibited Items
Any film, DVD, video, book, or magazine with obscene or indecent content
Any material or object considered harmful to public morals or safety
Money and credit cards that are forged or counterfeit
Foodstuffs that have been deemed unfit for human consumption and food powders
The amount of duty* assessed on incoming goods to Turks and Caicos is calculated by using the shipment's CIF value, which is the sum of the customs value plus insurance costs plus freight fees.
In addition, all imports will incur a 7.5% customs processing fee even on goods that are duty-free.
*Turks and Caicos does not have a VAT or GST.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
Calculating the CIF value of your parcel before shipping it will give you an estimate of the amount of duty and customs processing fee that will be assessed on the shipment.
Thresholds
There are no thresholds below which no duty is collected on a shipment entering Turks and Caicos. (Thresholds are also known as de minimis values.)
Currency
U.S. Dollar USD
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
N/A
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
N/A
Duties on Imports
Excise Duties
Excise duties are applied to incoming alcoholic beverages. Details may be found
here
Candy40%
Chocolate40%
Spirits and winesVariable
Tobacco and tobacco productsVariable*
Books0%
Documents0%
Video games & consoles30%
Computers & laptops10%
Tablets10%
Mobiles30%
Cameras30%
Accessories for Electronics10%
Coats30%
Beauty products & cosmetics30%
Jewellery40%
Shirts & pants30%
Home appliances30%
Toys30%
Sports equipment30%
*Either $45.64 USD/lb or $90.52 USD/1000 (about $60 CAD - $115 CAD). See
here for details.
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 Turks and Caicos Islands
Can I ship to Turks and Caicos Islands?
Shipping to Turks and Caicos Islands 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.
