Books, Newspapers & Printed Matter: Bahamas import duty
Most books, newspapers & printed matter are duty-free: 9 of 31 tariff lines under Chapter 49 carry no import duty, and the rest run up to 60%. It includes books, unused postage and transfers (decalcomanias). Duty is not the whole bill: The Bahamas adds a 1% customs processing fee (minimum $10, maximum $1,500) and 10% VAT on the landed cost.
Calculate VAT and fees on a duty-free item Search the full schedule
Duty rates for every books, newspapers & printed matter tariff line
Grouped by 4-digit heading; follow a heading for its own page. Descriptions are the sub-heading detail; the heading text is the row above.
| HS code | Description | Import duty |
|---|---|---|
| 4901 · Books · 4 lines, mostly duty-free | ||
4901.1000 |
In single sheets, whether or not folded | 30% |
4901.9100 |
Other — Dictionaries and encyclopaedias, and serial instalments thereof | Free |
4901.9910 |
Printed books and booklets verified | Free |
4901.9990 |
Other — Other — Other | 30% |
| 4902 · Newspapers, journals and periodicals · 2 lines, a flat 5% duty | ||
4902.1000 |
Appearing at least four times a week | 5% |
4902.9000 |
Other | 5% |
| 4903 · Children’s picture, drawing or colouring books · 1 line, duty-free | ||
4903.0000 |
Children’s picture, drawing or colouring books | Free |
| 4904 · Children’s picture, drawing or colouring books · 1 line, duty-free | ||
4904.0000 |
Music, printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated | Free |
| 4905 · Maps and hydrographic or similar charts of all kinds · 2 lines, duty-free | ||
4905.2000 |
In book form | Free |
4905.9000 |
Other | Free |
| 4906 · Plans and drawings for architectural, engineering · 1 line, a flat 5% duty | ||
4906.0000 |
Plans and drawings for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical or similar purposes, being originals drawn by hand; hand- written texts; photographic reproductions on sensitised paper and carbon copies of the foregoing | 5% |
| 4907 · Unused postage · 3 lines, mostly 5% duty | ||
4907.0010 |
Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; banknotes; cheque forms; stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title — Stamps | 5% |
4907.0020 |
Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; banknotes; cheque forms; stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title — Bank-notes | 5% |
4907.0090 |
Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; banknotes; cheque forms; stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title — Other | 45% |
| 4908 · Transfers (decalcomanias) · 2 lines, a flat 45% duty | ||
4908.1000 |
Transfers (decalcomanias), vitrifiable | 45% |
4908.9000 |
Other | 45% |
| 4909 · Printed or illustrated postcards · 2 lines, 25%–45% duty | ||
4909.0010 |
Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings — Postcards representing persons, scenes or products of The Bahamas | 25% |
4909.0090 |
Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings — Other | 45% |
| 4910 · Calendars of any kind, printed, including calendar blocks · 2 lines, a flat 60% duty | ||
4910.0010 |
Calendars of any kind, printed, including calendar blocks — Wall calendars | 60% |
4910.0090 |
Calendars of any kind, printed, including calendar blocks — Other | 60% |
| 4911 · Other printed matter · 11 lines, 0%–60% duty | ||
4911.1010 |
Trade advertising material, commercial catalogues and the like — Advertising posters | 40% |
4911.1020 |
Trade advertising material, commercial catalogues and the like — Commercial catalogues | 40% |
4911.1090 |
Trade advertising material, commercial catalogues and the like — Other | 40% |
4911.9110 |
Other — Pictures, designs and photographs — Printed pictures representing persons, scenes or products of The Bahamas | 25% |
4911.9120 |
Other — Pictures, designs and photographs — Photographs | Free |
4911.9190 |
Other — Pictures, designs and photographs — Other | 45% |
4911.9910 |
Other — Other — Hotel registration forms | 60% |
4911.9920 |
Other — Other — Bank deposit and withdrawal forms | 60% |
4911.9930 |
Other — Other — Visual teaching aids | Free |
4911.9940 |
Other — Other — Other printed matter of no commercial purpose | Free |
4911.9990 |
Other — Other — Other | 60% |
Bahamas Tariff Act (schedule version 2026-2027) · 31 lines shown. Lines tagged verified have been individually checked against the current schedule; the rest are as published in the Tariff Act. Rates are import duty only. Final classification and charges are determined by Bahamas Customs.