After immigration at Maurice Bishop International Airport, every passenger passes through Customs, run by the Customs and Excise Division of the Ministry of Finance. Most holidaymakers carry nothing beyond personal belongings and walk straight through. Problems arise with items people do not think of as controlled: a camouflage-print shirt, a drone, fresh fruit from home, a large quantity of gifts for family, or a box of new electronics.
This guide sets out the standard duty-free allowances, the items that are prohibited or restricted, and the special situations of returning nationals and people shipping goods. Allowances and procedures are set by law and are revised from time to time, so treat the figures here as a guide and confirm with Customs if you are carrying anything unusual or valuable.
Duty-free allowances for visitors
Tobacco. Up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, for passengers aged 18 or over.
Alcohol. One litre of wine or one litre of spirits, again for passengers aged 18 or over. Rum lovers should note that local Grenadian rums are inexpensive on the island, so there is little point carrying bottles in.
Perfume. Around 10 fluid ounces of perfumed spirits, according to the allowance published by the Grenada Airports Authority.
Other goods. Gifts and other new goods up to a stated value, given in the airport authority's published guidance as EC$1,000, though other sources quote different figures. Confirm the current limit if you are bringing presents or new purchases.
Who qualifies. The relief does not apply to people returning after less than 24 hours abroad, and allowances are personal and cannot be pooled between travellers.
Personal effects and valuables
Clothing, toiletries, cameras, laptops, phones and sports equipment brought for your own use and taken away again are normally allowed in without duty. Officers may question unusually large quantities, new items still in packaging, or multiple identical devices, which suggest goods for sale or gifts above the allowance.
Professional equipment such as film or photography kit, scientific instruments or tools for a temporary project may need to be declared, and in some cases a temporary importation arrangement or a security deposit may be required, refundable when the equipment leaves. Ask Customs before travel if you are bringing commercial equipment, as arranging this at the airport takes time.
Scuba divers and sailors often bring regulators, dive computers and spare boat parts. Personal dive gear is treated as personal effects. Yacht spares for a vessel in transit are handled under separate rules when declared through the yacht's agent or the customs office at the port of entry, and should not be carried in passenger baggage without asking first.
Prohibited and restricted items
Camouflage and military uniforms. Grenada's Military Uniform (Prohibition) Act makes it an offence to import, sell or wear military uniforms, including camouflage clothing or fabric designed to resemble it, without authorisation. This applies to visitors and children's clothing too. Police have warned of a zero-tolerance approach, and items can be confiscated. Leave camouflage at home.
Firearms and ammunition. Strictly controlled. Firearms, including those on visiting yachts, must be declared and are normally held by the authorities while the owner is in the country. Never carry ammunition in baggage without prior permission.
Drones. Drones are treated as restricted. Grenada's government has required operators to obtain permission from the police before flying, and travel sources also refer to aviation permits. Contact the Royal Grenada Police Force and Customs well before travelling, or expect your drone to be held at the airport.
Illegal drugs. Importing controlled drugs carries severe penalties, including imprisonment. Do not carry packages for anyone else.
Weapons and fireworks. Spear guns, knives beyond normal tools, pepper sprays and fireworks may require permission or be prohibited.
Food, plants and animal products
Grenada's agriculture depends on keeping pests and diseases out, especially those affecting nutmeg, cocoa, bananas and livestock. Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, cuttings, seeds and soil generally require an import permit and phytosanitary certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture's plant protection and quarantine service. Meat, dairy and animal products may also be restricted depending on origin.
In practice, the safest approach for a visitor is not to bring fresh produce, plants, meat or unprocessed foods at all. Commercially packaged, shelf-stable food in reasonable quantities for personal use is generally fine. If you want to bring seeds or plants for a garden, apply for a permit in advance; unpermitted items will be seized and destroyed.
The same caution applies when leaving: other countries have their own rules on taking Grenadian fruit, nutmeg, cocoa or spices home. Processed spices and chocolate bars are usually fine for the UK, EU, US and Canada, but check your home country's rules before packing fresh produce.
Medicines, cash and other declarations
A handful of other items should be thought about before packing:
- Prescription medicines. Carry them in original packaging with the prescription or a doctor's letter, in quantities matching your stay. Controlled medicines such as strong painkillers or some ADHD treatments may need prior permission.
- Cash. Large sums of cash and monetary instruments may need to be declared on arrival and departure under anti-money-laundering rules. Ask Customs for the current threshold if you are carrying significant amounts.
- Pets. Dogs and cats require an import permit from the Veterinary Division arranged in advance; see the separate guidance on bringing pets.
- Gifts for family. Large amounts of clothing, food or household goods for relatives exceed visitor allowances and attract duty. Many families ship barrels instead, which are cleared through Customs with their own documentation.
- Satellite phones and radio equipment. These may need telecommunications approval; ask in advance.
How to declare, and what happens if you do not
If you are carrying anything above the duty-free allowances, restricted goods, or items you are unsure about, tell the customs officer before your bags are examined. Declaring voluntarily usually means paying any duty and VAT due, or having a restricted item held until you leave, with little more than paperwork. Officers can explain what is owed and issue a receipt, which you should keep.
Failing to declare is treated far more seriously. Undeclared goods can be seized, and travellers may face penalties on top of the duty. Prohibited items such as camouflage clothing may be confiscated outright. Customs officers are entitled to search baggage and ask questions about the value and purpose of items, and receipts for new purchases help establish value.
If you disagree with a decision, stay calm and ask for the decision and any amount owed in writing, together with the name of the officer and how to request a review. Shouting at the desk achieves nothing, while a polite written follow-up to the Customs and Excise Division is the normal route for disputes.
Returning nationals and shipping goods
Grenadians returning to live after years abroad can apply for concessions on personal and household effects, and in some cases a vehicle, under the government's returning nationals programme. Eligibility conditions apply, including minimum periods abroad and age or residence requirements, and the details are set by the Ministry of Finance and Customs. Applications should be made before shipping; concessions are much harder to obtain once goods have arrived.
For others moving to Grenada, household goods shipped by container or barrel are cleared through Customs at the port in St George's, usually with the help of a licensed customs broker. Duties, VAT and other charges apply to many goods, and vehicles attract substantial taxes based on value and engine size. Get a broker's estimate before shipping a car or expensive appliances, as the total landed cost can surprise newcomers.
Frequently asked questions
How much alcohol can be brought into Grenada duty free?
Passengers aged 18 or over can bring one litre of wine or one litre of spirits duty free, according to the allowances published by the Grenada Airports Authority. Larger quantities should be declared and may attract duty. Grenadian rums are inexpensive locally, so many visitors buy on arrival instead.
Is camouflage clothing illegal in Grenada?
Yes. Grenada's Military Uniform (Prohibition) Act makes it an offence to import, sell or wear military-style uniforms, including camouflage clothing, without authorisation. The rule applies to visitors and children's clothing. Police have warned of a zero-tolerance approach, and items may be confiscated, so leave camouflage prints at home.
Can drones be brought into Grenada?
Drones are restricted. The government has required people to obtain permission from the police before flying, and Customs may hold a drone without the right authorisation. Contact the Royal Grenada Police Force and Customs before travel to find out the current procedure and any aviation rules that apply.
Can fruit or plants be taken into Grenada?
Generally not without a permit. Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds and soil usually need an import permit and phytosanitary certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture. Unpermitted items are likely to be seized at the airport, so visitors should avoid packing fresh produce or plant material.
Do visitors pay duty on laptops and cameras in Grenada?
Not usually. Laptops, phones, cameras and similar items brought for personal use and taken away again are treated as personal effects. Unusual quantities, new boxed items or professional equipment may need to be declared, and commercial kit may require temporary import arrangements.
