CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

Dogs, cats or other pets must first obtain an Import Permit from the Veterinary Department prior to importation. In order to obtain an Import Permit, you must meet certain requirements.

Rabies Endemic Countries

• An application form must be completed and processing fee paid to the order of the Accountant General.
• A health certificate issued by the Veterinary Authority or Government Veterinarian of the country of origin within 30 days of arrival must be provided. The health certificate must have the seal or stamp of the country of origin for international travel and must include a full description of the animal, records of the last two rabies vaccinations and a statement certifying that the animals appear to be free of any infectious or contagious diseases. This is only required for pets entering the country for the first time.
• The animals must be on valid rabies vaccinations where it the annual or three year vaccine. Vaccinations shall not be given to animals less than three months of age.
• Dogs and cats are required to take a rabies titer test with a result greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/mL from a World Animal Health Organisation certified rabies FAVN laboratory. The test must be taken no less than 30 days after their most rabies vaccination and no less than three months before its expiration. If the result of the titer is negative, a booster vaccine must be given, and the titer repeated in 30 days. To be considered valid, the titer result must include the number of the pet's microchip number and a complete description of the animal.
• All animals must be identified with an ISO compatible electronic microchip implant. The microchip number must be included on all relevant documents, including the written application form, health certificates, blood samples submitted for rabies testing, and on the result of the rabies titer test.
• Cats must be tested for FIV and FeLV within 30 days of the date of arrival and results must be negative. This is required for only 1st entry felines.
• Dogs and cats must have a certificate outlining that an external/internal parasite treatment was administered. This must be issued by an accredited veterinarian within five days of arrival.

Post-Arrival Requirements

• A 14 day home quarantine is required for new entrants at the end of which a confinement completion certificate will be issued.
• Three home visits will be done: The first to ensure that the home meets the requirements for the confinement, the second at seven days to assess the animal mid quarantine period, and the third at completion for the final assessment of the animal.

Rabies Free Countries

• A completed application form for entry of pets.
• A health certificate issued by the Veterinary Authority or Government Veterinarian of the country of origin within 30 days of arrival must be provided. The health certificate must have the seal or stamp of the country of origin for international travel and must include a full description of the animal, records of the core and current rabies vaccinations, a record of internal/external parasite treatments within five days of arrival, and a statement certifying that the animals have been in the country of origin for the past six months and appear to be free of any infectious or contagious diseases, and that the country of origin is free from Rabies
• All animals must be identified with an ISO compatible electronic microchip implant. The microchip number must be included on all relevant documents, including the written application form and health certificates.

For more information, please visit the Saint Kitts and Nevis Customs application form page.

Free to Import

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

One of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 50 cigars; or
• 250 grams of loose tobacco.

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

• 1.5 litres of spirits or wine.

Other Goods

• Clothes, toiletries, jewellery and other items intended for personal use, including electronics, whose value does not exceed E.C.$400.00.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Counterfeit currency.
• Food products intended for food which are unfit for human consumption.
• Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, videos and other articles.
• Matches containing white or yellow phosphorus.
• Pipes or other utensils for use in connection with smoking drugs.
• Any narcotic drugs used for smoking.
• Any pistol or other apparatus in the form of a pen or pencil capable of firing cartridges.
• Fictitious stamps or any materials capable of making any such stamps.
• Flick knives and any other bladed instrument which is not designed for use in a profession, craft, or business or for domestic use.
• All publications, articles or other matter associated with black magic, or any other magical arts and occultism.
• Seditious publications, articles, prints, phonograph records or video.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Firearms and ammunition are prohibited unless with the written permission of the Commissioner of Police.
• Shock batons, stun guns, pepper spray and mace or prohibited unless with the written permission of the Commissioner of Police.
• Explosives are prohibited unless with the written permission of the Commissioner of Police.
• Handcuffs of any type are prohibited unless with the written permission of the Commissioner of Police.
• Radio and television transmitting equipment including walkie-talkies are prohibited unless under licence from the Minister of Communications.
• Cannabis sativa including any parts of the plant are prohibited unless under licence from the Chief Medical Officer.
• Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including controlled drugs are prohibited unless under licence from the Chief Medical Officer.
• Any goods which bear a design in imitation of any currency are prohibited unless with the approval of the Comptroller of Customs.
• Tear gas or any ingredient which may produce tear gas are prohibited unless with the written authority of the Minister responsible for National Security.
• Laser pointers.
• Any goods which bear the Coat of Arms or Flag of St Kitts and Nevis or any facsimile thereof unless with the approval of the Minister responsible for National Security.
• Rare or threatened species of animals or plants, their products and derivatives, whose international trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) unless such goods are accompanied by the appropriate permits signed by the CITES authorities in the country of exportation or importation.
• Night scope binoculars and similar night vision instruments of a king generally used by the Armed Forces unless with the written permission of the Minister responsible for National Security.
• Uniforms or clothing including camouflage clothing used by St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force or Police Force or closely resembling the uniform or clothing used by the Police or Defence Force, unless with the written permission of the Commissioner of Police.
• Ozone Depleting Substances to be restricted under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 1987, unless under licence from the Minister responsible for the Environment.
• Firearms and ammunition.
• Goods, the importation of which is regulated by any other enactment unless in accordance with such enactment.
• All live animals including pets are subject to restrictions, and require permits. For further information, please visit contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Human Settlement, Cooperatives and Environment.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

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

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

• Narcotic and psychotropic substances unless under licence from the Chief Medical Officer.
• Any goods which bear the Coat of Arms or Flag of St Kitts and Nevis or any facsimile thereof unless with the approval of the Minister.
• Rare or threatened species of animals and plants and any products or parts thereof as outlined by CITES may only be exported with appropriate permits issued by CITES authorities
• Foreign currency exceeding the prescribed amount unaccompanied by exchange control permission.
• Goods, the exportation of which is regulated by any other enactment unless in accordance with such enactment.

For further information, please visit the St. Kitts and Nevis Customs and Excise Department.