Cayman Islands customs
Apply for visa
Free import
• Travelers aged 18 or older: 1 L of spirits or 4 L of wine or 1 case (up to 9 L) of beer.
• Travelers aged 18 or older: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250 g of tobacco.
• Travelers under 18 may not bring in alcohol or tobacco products, even when traveling with a parent or guardian.
• Clothing, jewelry and other personal effects of visitors in reasonable quantities for the length of the stay.
• Returning residents: personal and household goods (not merchandise) worth up to KYD 800, at the discretion of the Director of Customs and Border Control.
• The allowances apply only to goods carried in accompanied baggage and not to goods for sale or other commercial use. Goods above the allowance must be declared, and duty is paid on the amount over the allowance.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of local (Cayman Islands dollar, KYD) or foreign currency you may bring in.
• Cash and bearer negotiable instruments (such as traveler's cheques and money orders) totaling KYD 10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, must be declared in writing to customs on arrival. A false declaration can lead to a fine, forfeiture of the money or imprisonment.
Prohibited
• Illegal drugs, including marijuana in all forms and THC or CBD products such as gummies, vapes and edibles
• Counterfeit coins and notes
• Gambling instruments and appliances, and their parts
• Obscene materials (writings, images, films, recordings and other obscene items)
• Military weapons, including automatic rifles and machine guns
• Spear guns and Hawaiian slings
• Dogs of prohibited breeds (see Restricted)
Restricted
• Firearms of all kinds (including air guns, stun devices, pepper spray and flare guns), ammunition and bulletproof vests need a permit and firearms licence signed by the Commissioner of Police (the District Commissioner for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman). Bows and catapults need a Commissioner of Police permit and are allowed only for competitive sports or similar activities.
• Live animals, birds, aquarium fish, plants and plant products need an import permit from the Department of Agriculture issued before travel, plus an official health certificate (animals) or a phytosanitary certificate (plants) from the country of origin. Some species, such as parrots and orchids, also need a CITES certificate.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables and seeds for planting need a Department of Agriculture import permit, whatever the quantity. Home-canned food is not allowed. All food and agricultural products must be declared to customs for inspection on arrival.
• Meat and meat products for personal use: up to 5 kg (11 lb) from eligible countries without a permit, if in the original intact packaging bearing the official inspection mark of the exporting country. Game meat always needs a permit. Cooked or frozen seafood: up to 20 lb (about 9 kg) for personal use with proof of purchase or inspection.
• Dogs and cats need an import permit from the Department of Agriculture (Veterinary Services, email [email protected]), applied for up to 6 months before travel (fee KYD 50 per pet). Pets need an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks of age or older after the microchip, and, unless coming from a territory with no rabies risk, a rabies antibody (FAVN) test at an approved laboratory at least 30 days after vaccination with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Pets from low-risk territories may enter at least 2 months, and from high-risk territories at least 3 months, after the blood sample; the test is valid for 12 months. Pets arriving by sea count as high risk.
• Within 14 days before travel, dogs and cats must be treated for ticks and tapeworms and receive a veterinary health certificate. Routine vaccinations must be current, the pet must have lived in the country of export for at least 3 months, and the Department of Agriculture needs at least 48 hours' notice of arrival. There is no quarantine: a pet that does not meet the rules is sent back or destroyed at the owner's expense.
• Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and their breed types, and any dog bred for fighting, may not be imported. Crossbreeds of these breeds are allowed only if spayed or neutered and not pregnant.
• No animal may be imported directly from any country in Asia, Africa, or Central and South America.
• Travelers aged 18 or older: 1 L of spirits or 4 L of wine or 1 case (up to 9 L) of beer.
• Travelers aged 18 or older: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250 g of tobacco.
• Travelers under 18 may not bring in alcohol or tobacco products, even when traveling with a parent or guardian.
• Clothing, jewelry and other personal effects of visitors in reasonable quantities for the length of the stay.
• Returning residents: personal and household goods (not merchandise) worth up to KYD 800, at the discretion of the Director of Customs and Border Control.
• The allowances apply only to goods carried in accompanied baggage and not to goods for sale or other commercial use. Goods above the allowance must be declared, and duty is paid on the amount over the allowance.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of local (Cayman Islands dollar, KYD) or foreign currency you may bring in.
• Cash and bearer negotiable instruments (such as traveler's cheques and money orders) totaling KYD 10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, must be declared in writing to customs on arrival. A false declaration can lead to a fine, forfeiture of the money or imprisonment.
Prohibited
• Illegal drugs, including marijuana in all forms and THC or CBD products such as gummies, vapes and edibles
• Counterfeit coins and notes
• Gambling instruments and appliances, and their parts
• Obscene materials (writings, images, films, recordings and other obscene items)
• Military weapons, including automatic rifles and machine guns
• Spear guns and Hawaiian slings
• Dogs of prohibited breeds (see Restricted)
Restricted
• Firearms of all kinds (including air guns, stun devices, pepper spray and flare guns), ammunition and bulletproof vests need a permit and firearms licence signed by the Commissioner of Police (the District Commissioner for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman). Bows and catapults need a Commissioner of Police permit and are allowed only for competitive sports or similar activities.
• Live animals, birds, aquarium fish, plants and plant products need an import permit from the Department of Agriculture issued before travel, plus an official health certificate (animals) or a phytosanitary certificate (plants) from the country of origin. Some species, such as parrots and orchids, also need a CITES certificate.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables and seeds for planting need a Department of Agriculture import permit, whatever the quantity. Home-canned food is not allowed. All food and agricultural products must be declared to customs for inspection on arrival.
• Meat and meat products for personal use: up to 5 kg (11 lb) from eligible countries without a permit, if in the original intact packaging bearing the official inspection mark of the exporting country. Game meat always needs a permit. Cooked or frozen seafood: up to 20 lb (about 9 kg) for personal use with proof of purchase or inspection.
• Dogs and cats need an import permit from the Department of Agriculture (Veterinary Services, email [email protected]), applied for up to 6 months before travel (fee KYD 50 per pet). Pets need an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks of age or older after the microchip, and, unless coming from a territory with no rabies risk, a rabies antibody (FAVN) test at an approved laboratory at least 30 days after vaccination with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Pets from low-risk territories may enter at least 2 months, and from high-risk territories at least 3 months, after the blood sample; the test is valid for 12 months. Pets arriving by sea count as high risk.
• Within 14 days before travel, dogs and cats must be treated for ticks and tapeworms and receive a veterinary health certificate. Routine vaccinations must be current, the pet must have lived in the country of export for at least 3 months, and the Department of Agriculture needs at least 48 hours' notice of arrival. There is no quarantine: a pet that does not meet the rules is sent back or destroyed at the owner's expense.
• Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and their breed types, and any dog bred for fighting, may not be imported. Crossbreeds of these breeds are allowed only if spayed or neutered and not pregnant.
• No animal may be imported directly from any country in Asia, Africa, or Central and South America.