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Grenada Customs

4K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  killarney_sailor 
#1 ·
This is our fourth hurricane season in Grenada and each and every time we have brought in items for our "yacht in transit" the experience has been different. Needless to say, this is a bit frustrating.
So, after my wife's airport entry with about a thousand US dollars worth of 'boat parts' that left her feeling belittled and confused, I made an appointment with Mr. Michael Gibbs (a senior customs official) and Miss Rose (of airport customs) at Customs House, St George's.
Here is the straight dope, from those in the know.
By Air: When you enter by air all of the bags containing 'boat parts' must remain at the airport if you want to get the customs service charge of 2.5%. However, if you want to pay full duty (which can be as high as 30-40% on some items) plus VAT and other possible service charges, none of this applies. You will only be allowed to leave with your personal belongings so be sure to pack that stuff in a separate bag. Customs will issue a “detention slip” (receipt) for the bags with 'boat parts' and they will be held in a secure area. You will need 3 copies of the invoices/receipts of all items being brought in.
You will need to acquire and fill out a C-14 to be signed by a customs officer where your boat is currently located. If your boat is in Tyrell Bay, you may go to customs in St. George's, where they will contact Tyrell Bay customs to verify your boat is there and (upon verification) sign your C-14. This is where you will need one set of invoice/receipt copies.
You will then need to retain a broker. The current average broker fee is $150EC. You will provide the broker with a signed C-14, your second set of invoices/receipts, boat documents, clearance form, and cruising permit. This broker will prepare the necessary documents for you to take to customs at the airport.
Take the 3rd set of invoices/receipts, the documents prepared by the broker, the signed C-14, the detention slip/receipt (issued by customs at the airport upon arrival), boat documents, clearance forms, and cruising permit to the airport, pay the 2.5% customs service charge and collect your things.
*A $50US per bag/package (flat rate no matter the size of the bag) for shipping is added to the sum total to be taxed.

Receiving Packages via the Post Office:
Almost identical to the above procedure:
You will receive a notice (at whatever address you put down) that your package is being held at the post office. Print 3 copies of your invoices/receipts. Fill out & and have customs (where your boat is located) sign the C-14.
Hire your own broker or use one at the post office (be prepared to wait several hours if using the post office brokers) and supply them with a copy of your invoices/receipts, boat documents, clearance form, and cruising permit.
Take the third copy of invoices/receipts, the broker's documents, the signed C-14, boat documents, clearance papers, and cruising permit to customs inside the post office and pay your fees.
Please take note that the shipping is also taxable.
At times a customs officer may do you a FAVOR by facilitating your experience (let's say by charging you a flat 6% duty on your items if you don't wish to hire a broker), but this is in no way to be taken as the norm and you should not expect the same each time.
Highly recommended broker:
Currently, his rate is $135EC and is a pleasure to deal with.
Brian Sylvester
Blue Water Yacht Service
Paddock Main Rd
St. George's, Grenada
473-535-2583
 
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#2 ·
Useful information. We brought in a fairly inexpensive item by air freight and the broker and other fees ended up costing us nearly as much as the item's value.
 
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