Visting Saint Lucia

What to expect when visiting Saint Lucia.

Upon entering Saint Lucia, a visitor is given a maximum of 6 weeks to remain on the island. All visitors are required to have a return ticket. Visitors who require non immigrant visas to visit to Saint Lucia but are visiting Saint Lucia via cruises that will be docking in Saint Lucia for less than 24 hours will be exempt from visa requirements normally in effect for longer stays. 



Who needs a Visa?


Non-immigrant Visa Notes

Visa Application Form 


Extension of Stay

Travellers' Information 

Customs Declaration 

Please be advised that all persons entering the country are required by law to declare to Customs anything contained in their baggage, or carried with them, which has been obtained outside of Saint Lucia. Passengers are also required to answer all questions asked by the Customs officer relating to their travels, baggage, its contents and other items being imported.

Customs declaration forms are distributed at ports of entry and exit, airline and ship’s agent offices. We advise all persons to fill out your declaration in advance of arrival in order to expedite your Customs/Immigration clearance. Completion of the form requires a listing of items brought with you (whether purchased or not) and their prices. This includes gifts for other persons, articles carried for other persons, articles for sale, and commercial samples.

This does not include your personal effects. The purchase price of articles may be declared in the currency of the country of purchase. For duty purposes the value to be used will be the price paid or payable for the article. The officer will convert the amount to Eastern Caribbean dollars and will give you an indication of the amount of duty payable. Please be advises that misinformation can result in delays and penalties.

Articles imported in excess of your exemption are subject to applicable duties.


Baggage Exemptions

Clothing, toiletries and items for your personal use that are in your possession upon arrival into Saint Lucia are exempt from duty.


A traveller who is 18 years and older is entitled to a duty free allowance of 40 fl ozs. of alcohol. Please note that any excess quantity up to 4 gallons is dutiable. There is no restriction on the sizeof the bottle.

A traveller who is years and older can import free of duty 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of smoking tobacco.

These are items that are normally used in the home are exempted from the payment of Import Duty and Consumption Tax, provided that such items were in his/her possession and use for at least one year.
Note: 5% service charge and 1.5% environmental levy are payable. In the case of the importation of personal and household effects as cargo in larger quantities, a different clearance procedure is to be followed. For more information please contact our help desk at Customs House, Castries or call (758) 468 4801.

A traveller can import free of Import Duty and Consumption Tax, tools of trade, musical instruments and equipment normally used in the pursuit of the declared profession or trade provided that the passenger is a returning national. Please refer to the section on returning nationals. Please note that travellers who are not returning nationals may benefit from similar exemptions, provided that the tools and equipment are imported under the same conditions stated in item #4, for household effects imported by a passenger. Note: 5% Service Charge and 1.5% Environmental levy are payable in both cases.

Gifts and souvenirs imported by a traveller of a value not exceeding Eastern Caribbean $270.00 are exempted from any duty or other charges imposed by Customs. This allowance can only be claimed once a year and does not apply to alcoholic drinks, cigarettes or commercial goods.

Prohibited Imports  
Prohibited imports are items that are considered detrimental to the general welfare of the country. Prohibited imports will be immediately seized by Customs and the importer may be liable to severe penalties.

  • Counterfeit currency and coins.
  • Food unfit for human consumption.
  • Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographic or other engravings, pornographic records, videos or any other indecent articles or matter.
  • Matches which contain white or yellow phosphorus.
  • Prepared opium and pipes or other utensils for use in connection with the smoking of opium or other narcotic drugs.
  • Opium, morphine, cocaine, LSD, marijuana and other narcotic drugs.
  • Preparations of opium or other narcotic drugs for smoking.
  • Any pistol or other apparatus in the form of a stylographic pen or pencil capable of firing any kind of shot cartridge whatsoever there from; and any cartridge containing gas.
  • Fictitious stamps and any die, paint instrument or materials capable of making any such stamps.
  • Condoms manufactured by MONKOK LATIX of South Korea.
  • Flick knives and blades, night sticks, ratchet knives and other similar and familiar knives with flying blades.
  • Shaving brushes made in or exported from Japan.
  • All publications, articles or other matter associated with black magic, secret magic obeah, witchcraft or other magical arts and occultism.
  • Goods the importation of which is prohibited by any other enactment of the State

Prohibited Exports  

  • Goods the exportation of which is prohibited by any other enactment.

Restricted Exports  

  • Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances except under license of the Chief Medical officer.
  • Ginger and dry coconuts except under license from the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Any goods which bear the coat of Arms or the Flag of St. Lucia or any other facsimile imitation, or representation thereof, except with the approval of the Prime Minister’s Office.
  • Rare or threatened species of animals or plants, their products and derivatives except such goods which are accompanied by the appropriate permits issued by the CITES authorities.
  • Foreign currency exceeding the prescribed amount unaccompanied by exchange control permission.
  • Goods the exportation of which is regulated by any other enactment except in accordance with such enactment.


Offences  

Frequent Offences include:

  • Making a false declaration to the Baggage Officer.
  • Verbally abusing Customs staff.
  • Claiming baggage that does not belong to you.
  • Concealment of prohibited and restricted items.

    • The above offences carry stiff penalties (e.g. cautions, seizure of baggage, arrests, fines of up to EC $10,000.00, & imprisonment for up to five years). Travellers are asked to be honest and co-operative with the Baggage Officers, as this will expedite your clearance through Customs.

Source: www.customs.gov.lc