CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

The importation of dogs and cats is permitted from all countries, under stipulated conditions. Countries have been classified as either rabies-free countries or countries considered infected with rabies (as defined by the OIE). They are split into the two categories:

• Category 1 (Countries and territories that are rabies free).
• Category 2 (All other countries and territories. Pets resident in category 1 countries for less than three months and travelling by sea).

You can find a list of countries by category here.

Requirements for all countries

• The dog or cat must be accompanied by an Import Permit issued by the Veterinary Authority of St. Lucia before the date of departure. Evidence that the animal complies with all import requirements must be submitted before an Import Permit can be issued. Arrangements for the permit must be made in advance of the date of departure. Animals failing to meet import requirements or entering without a permit will be refused entry or be humanely euthanised.
• The Veterinary and Livestock Services Division must be notified of your port of entry, date, time and flight number at least three days in advance of your arrival date.
• The animal must be transported directly into St Lucia and should not be in contact with any other animal on the flight except those for which similar permits have been issued.
• The animal must be electronically identifiable, having had an acceptable type of microchip implanted. Microchips must confirm to ISO standard 11784 and 11785. If the microchip does not conform to the standard, passengers will need to provide their own microchip reader to enable the microchip to be read successfully.
• The animal must be vaccinated against rabies using a vaccine approved by the Veterinary Authority from the country of origin no less than one month prior to the date of departure.
• The animal must be accompanied by a valid Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the Veterinary Authority from the country of origin. This should state that the animal is in good health and free from symptoms of infectious/contagious diseases, that the animal has been treated for endo-parasites including Tapeworm not less than 14 days prior to the date of departure, that the dog has been vaccinated against common disease conditions (such as Canine Distemper and Parvovirus) no less than 14 days prior to the date of departure, that dogs have tested negative for certain diseases like Heartworm and Lyme disease no more than 14 days prior to the date of departure and that cats have been vaccinated no less than two weeks prior to departure for diseases such as Feline Leukaemia and Feline Rhinotracheitis.

Additional requirements for Category 2 countries

• The animal must be vaccinated against rabies at or over 12 weeks old. Rabies vaccination must be done after the microchip has been implanted.
• A blood test to determine the Rabies Antibody Titre must be carried out by an approved laboratory, 30 days after the date of the rabies vaccination. In order to qualify for entry, the blood test must show a rabies antibody titre equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.
• The animal will not be allowed to enter St Lucia until three months have passed from the date that the blood sample was taken. An original copy of the laboratory results must accompany the Health Certificate.

Prohibited Dog Breeds

The following breeds of dogs are prohibited from entering St Lucia:

• Pit Bull Terrier.
• Bull Terrier.
• American Staffordshire Terrier.
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier OR British Staffordshire.
• Japanese Tosa Inu.
• Dogo Argentina.
• Fila Brasileiro.
• Crosses of any the above.

For more information (including for entry requirements for pets other than cats or dogs), please visit the Veterinary Service of Saint Lucia.

Free to Import

Cigarettes (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)  

One of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 50 cigars; or
• 2 kg loose tobacco.

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 18 years and over) 

• 40 fl oz. of alcohol.

Other Goods

• Personal goods, such as clothing and toiletries.
• Gifts and souvenirs up to a value of EC$270 may be imported. This allowance can only be claimed once a year and does not apply to alcohol, cigarettes, or commercial goods.

Prohibited

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

• Counterfeit currency and coins.
• Food unfit for human consumption.
• Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, and other media.
• Matches containing white or yellow phosphorus.
• Opium, morphine, cocaine, LSD, marijuana and other narcotic drugs.
• Utensils intended for the preparation and consumption of illegal drugs.
• Any pistol or other apparatus in the form of a pen or pencil capable of firing any kind of shot cartridge.
• Any cartridge containing gas.
• Fictitious stamps and any die, paint instrument or materials capable of making such stamps.
• Condoms manufactured by MONKOK LATIX of South Korea.
• Flick knives and blades, night sticks, ratchet knives and other similar knives with flying blades
• Shaving brushes made in or exported from Japan.
• All media associated with black magic, secret magic obeah, witchcraft or other magical arts and occultism.

Restricted

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

• Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may require protected species permit.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Prohibited

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

•  All items on the prohibited import list.

Restricted

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

• Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances require a licence from the Chief Medical officer.
• Ginger and dry coconuts require a licence from the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Any representation of the coat of Arms or the Flag of St. Lucia or any other such facsimile imitation, except with the approval of the Prime Minister's Office.
• Endangered species and products protected under CITES require a permit for export.

For further information, please visit the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto.