Imported car landed cost calculator
Work out what it costs to clear a car through Bahamas Customs: excise duty, the processing and security fees, the environmental levy and VAT on the landed cost. For cars and SUVs; use duty242.com for trucks, motorcycles and parts.
Cost to clear
How this is calculated
Cars are free of customs tariff but pay excise duty on entry, on the price paid for the car. Customs then adds its fees and the environmental levy, and charges VAT on the landed cost: the car, shipping, other charges, duty, fees and levy together.
| Car | Rate |
|---|---|
| New petrol, up to 1,500cc | 25% |
| New petrol, 1,501–3,000cc | 45% |
| New petrol, over 3,000cc | 65% |
| New diesel, up to 1,500cc | 25% |
| New diesel, over 1,500cc | 65% |
| Used petrol or diesel, any engine size | 65% |
| Hybrid or electric, new or used, worth up to $70,000 | 10% |
| Hybrid or electric, worth over $70,000 | 25% |
- Processing fee: 1% of the value, minimum $10, maximum $1,500.
- Security fee: $10 per vehicle.
- Environmental levy: $250 per car; 20% of the landed cost for a car over 10 years old (which also needs Ministry of Finance approval); $200 for an approved antique or vintage car.
- VAT: 10% of the landed cost.
Worked example
A new 2.0-litre petrol car bought for $25,000, with $1,500 shipping and insurance:
- Excise duty: $11,250.00
- Processing fee: $250.00
- Security fee: $10.00
- Environmental levy: $250.00
- VAT: $3,826.00
- Paid to Customs: $15,586.00
- Total landed cost, including the car and shipping: $42,086.00
Importing a truck, van, motorcycle, car parts or anything else? Estimate duty on duty242.com.
Frequently asked questions
How is duty on a car worked out in The Bahamas?
Passenger cars pay no customs tariff; they pay excise duty on entry instead, at a rate set by the Excise Act according to the fuel, engine size, whether the car is new or used, and for hybrids and electric cars, its value. Customs then adds a processing fee, a security fee and the environmental levy, and charges VAT on the whole landed cost.
Can I import a car older than 10 years?
Only with prior approval from the Ministry of Finance, and the environmental levy is then 20% of the landed cost instead of a flat fee. Approved antique and vintage cars pay a flat levy instead.
Are hybrids and electric cars cheaper to import?
Yes. Hybrids (including plug-in hybrids) and fully electric cars, new or used, pay a much lower excise rate up to a set value, and a higher, but still reduced, rate above it.
What does this not include?
Customs broker fees, shipping agent and port charges unless you enter them under other charges, insurance, and the Road Traffic Department's registration fees. Trucks, vans, motorcycles and car parts have different rates: use duty242.com for those.
What value do I use?
The price you paid for the car, as on the invoice or bill of sale. Customs can adjust the value if it doesn't reflect what was really paid.
Sources
- Excise Act, 2023 – First Schedule, heading 87.03 (motor cars), in force 1 July 2023
- Bahamas Customs – Import & Export FAQ (vehicles over 10 years: 20% environmental levy; antique/vintage: $200)
- Bahamas Customs – Frequently Imported Items 2024 ($250 vehicle levy; VAT on the landed cost, worked example)
- Bahamas Customs – Other Taxes (processing fee 1%, minimum $10, maximum $1,500; security fee $10 per vehicle)
- Bahamas Customs – Tariff, VAT & Excise changes 2025 (no change to motor cars)
Rates last verified: 7 October 2026. Rates effective from 1 July 2023. Rate changes log
This is an estimate for planning only. Confirm figures with the relevant government department, your bank or a qualified professional before making decisions. See our terms.