Arrived in Belize!  Now What?  Belize Customs Form and other Tips

You may or may not be looking for an off the beaten path Belize adventure.  Either way, here are some Belize travel tips of things to expect after arriving in Belize, including how to complete the Belize Customs form upon arrival

Belize Customs Form

Just prior to landing, the airline attendants distribute a 2-sided document to complete required to enter Belize. Fill out both sides before you land. One side is a Belize Customs form.  The second side is an Immigration form.  Both sides are reviewed by Immigration & Customs Officers upon arrival.

• Immigration Form – Each person entering Belize must complete this form (including children).  This form requires you to provide the following information:  Name, sex, nationality, place of birth, birth date, passport information, date of issuance, place of issuance, permanent address, occupation, intended address (resort) in Belize.   The Belize Tourism Board tracks tourists using this form.
• Belize Customs Form – Only one person completes this side of the form per family.  The form requires the following information:  Name, birth date, number of people traveling with you, home address, passport information, countries you have recently visited, flight information and the purpose of your visit.  Additionally, you will be asked if you are bringing certain items into the country.

The Belize airport is very small 

You’ll disembark the plane via roll-up exit stairways, to immediately appreciate the Belize Climate (be it raining or sunny!)  Please note, most airlines disembark passengers from both the front & back exits of the plane. So it may be quicker to exit out the back.

Follow airport personnel guidance and walk across the tarmac toward the Immigration & Customs building.  If multiple planes arrive at the same time, you could be waiting an hour or more to get through Customs & Immigration.  However, usually getting through Immigration and Customs takes no more than half an hour.

Your first stop will be Immigration

The left lines are for tourists.  The right lines are for Belizean residents and citizens.  So, don’t be upset if people pass you on the right.  Have the Belize Customs form you completed on the plane ready for examination.  (TIP: Bathroom facilities are available in the building before you go through Immigration.)

Go up to the Immigration Officer as a family, or approach individually if you are not legally related.  The Immigration officer may ask you some questions about your visit, i.e., is this your first time, how long do you plan to stay, the purpose of your visit, etc.  Just answer honestly. 

Additional Belize Travel Tips: If you are a parent traveling with a child(ren) without the other parent, bring a notarized letter from the other parent (or other appropriate legal documentation).  The same goes for children traveling without their parents (i.e., traveling with grandparents). If you have a different last name than your child(ren) it would also be wise to have documentation proving you are the legal guardian/parent(s). If you are missing this legal documentation, you risk being sent back on the next airplane out of Belize. Belize is very pro-active regarding the trafficking of children.

Next, head to baggage claim  

Once your passport has been stamped and you’ve been cleared to enter Belize, retrieve your luggage.  There are only two baggage claim carousels! So, it shouldn’t be difficult to find your luggage.

After you retrieve your luggage, head towards a Customs Officer OR shop in one of the Arrival Duty Free Shops. The limit is 6 bottles of liquor or wine, 3 cartons of cigarettes, 6 boxes of Cigars and 6 bottles of perfume.  If you buy anything at the Duty-free shops, declare them. But won’t be charged duty on them. So, don’t go through the ‘nothing to declare’ line if you buy anything at the Duty Free Shops.

What do you do with the Belize Customs Form?

For most tourists traveling to Belize (with nothing to declare), you will want to get in the line on the right.  If you claimed items on your Belize Customs form, or purchased anything in the Duty-free shops, you will need to be in the lines to the left.  Please read our blog article on what NOT to bring to Belize so you can avoid delays at Customs in Belize.  Be aware that the average fee (tax) is usually 35-37% of the value you claim on the Belize Customs Form (not including items purchased in the Duty-free shops).

Once the Customs agent clears you, proceed to the exit.  [If you are assessed a tax on any items you have brought with you – head to the Cashier window first.] Then hand your Belize Customs form to the agent at the exit.  Go straight through the doorway if you are catching another flight.  However, turn right to exit the terminal to catch a taxi, shuttle or to pick up a rental vehicle.

Leaving the Belize Airport 

There are a few ways to leave the airport; a connecting commuter flight, resort/shuttle pick-up, taxi or rental car.  There is no public bus service at the airport.  To access public bus transportation, you need to take a taxi to the bus terminal in Belize City.  (The airport is actually in Ladyville).  You need take a taxi to the water taxi dock if your destination is one of the islands, unless you book a commuter flight to the islands.

Belize Shuttles & Taxi Service

Shuttle drivers will be waiting outside for you as you exit Customs (arrange these in advance with your resort).  We help our guests arrange shuttle transportation to our jungle lodge in Belize, and other resorts do the same. 

Taxi drivers are always at the airport. Taxis do not have meters. But there are generally accepted standard rates.  To avoid any problem or disputes, always verify the fare prior to getting in your taxi.  And ALWAYS determine if the price quoted is in Belize or U.S. dollars BEFORE you get in.  Only use taxis that have a green license plate.  The rate to the bus terminal or water taxi terminal is @ $25.00 U.S. (+ $1 U.S. for each bag handled as an expected tip).

Belize Rental Cars

Rental car companies are located across the airport parking lot.  TIP: The rental car companies have been known to close at 5pm!  They don’t tell you this when you reserve a car.  So, if your flight arrives later in the afternoon, verify in advance if they will be there, and if there are any special instructions to pick up a car after they close. 

Extra Tip Before Leaving the Belize Airport:

Belize Travel Tips During your stay

Here are some rather unusual Belize travel tips regarding what you might encounter during your stay in Belize.

Music.  This may seem like an odd thing to mention, but Belizeans love loud music.  The louder, the better – whether at restaurants, bars, church services, wakes, parties, or just hanging out at home. 

Belize Travel Tips At Your Destination

Once you arrive at your destination be sure to ask if there are any other ‘things to know’ that are unique to the area you are staying.  For example, perhaps there’s a great local eatery that is inexpensive & has great food!

You may also want to check out other Important Facts to Know about Belize that Might Surprise You.

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For even more information about Belize check out our Blog with many more articles.

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