Interior of Graceway Gourmet grocery store in the Turks and Caicos Graceway Gourmet supermarket in central Grace Bay. There are several full-size grocery stores on the island of Providenciales.
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Bringing Food into the Turks and Caicos

Gourmet food product imports
Imported food products.

Whether for dietary concerns, convenience, or simply to save some money, many visitors and residents flying into the Turks and Caicos wish to bring food products for personal use while in the islands.

Most food products that are purchased in grocery stores can be legally brought into the Turks and Caicos in personal luggage. See details below.

This page offers basic guidance on what food products and alcohol may be brought in personal luggage and effects when entering the Turks and Caicos via one of our international airports or ports of entry.

The island of Providenciales has many well-stocked grocery stores, and guests will often be able to find food products locally.

What This Information Applies To

  • The following are guidelines as to what food products may be imported into the Turks and Caicos for personal consumption and use.
  • Permits are not required when the following food products are imported for personal use.
  • Customs officers have some discretion to prohibit products as they see fit.

What This Information Does Not Apply To

  • This information does not apply to food products being imported for commercial purposes or resale.
  • The following does not apply to seeds imported for planting and agriculture use.
  • Permits are required when importing ‘commercial quantities’ of meat products.

The information in the tables below is confirmed by the Turks and Caicos Customs Department.

Food Products That May Be Brought into the Turks and Caicos
Frozen or refrigerated meat products in supermarket packaging, in non-commercial quantities. Product examples include whole chickens, whole turkeys, steaks, meat cuts, and hamburgers that are sealed in commercial packing. Products from the United States should have the mandated USDA label.
Frozen or refrigerated factory-processed meat products in factory-sealed and branded packages. Product examples include hot dogs, sausages, and packaged freezer foods.
Factory-packaged granola and breakfast bars.
Factory-packaged granola, muesli, and cereal.
Factory-packaged coffee, rice, pasta.
Homemade granola, trail mix.
Factory-packaged nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and trail mix.
Factory-packaged and sealed cheese and dairy products.
Fruits and vegetables with PLU stickers in self-serve bags.
Fruits and vegetables in factory bags and cartons. Product examples: baby carrots in brand-name sealed bags, apples, potatoes, onions in brand-name sealed bags, and plastic cartons of strawberries.
Supermarket baked goods.
Factory-packaged baked goods.
Homemade baked goods.
Candy and sweets.
Restricted Food Products
Homegrown or home-processed meat products.
Meat products not commercially packaged.
Dairy products not commercially packaged.
Grains and produce not commercially packaged or sourced.
Homegrown or home-processed grains and produce.
Food products containing derivatives of controlled substances.

Customs Duties

See Also Customs Duties and Allowances
Aisle in Graceway Gourmet supermarket on Providenciales
Graceway Gourmet grocery store. The supermarkets on Providenciales stock a wide selection of common US brands.

All persons over the age of 17 entering the Turks and Caicos are allowed to bring in certain values of goods before incurring customs duties.

For most types of goods, and notably excluding alcohol and tobacco products, the customs allowance for residents and visitors is $1000.

Goods that exceed a value of $1000 may incur customs duty. Some food products do not incur customs duty, most food products have duty rates of 10-15%, and some specialty foods (such as certain pelagic fish) may incur duty of around 40%.

Alcohol and Tobacco

See Also Alcohol and Liquor Stores
Turk's Head Beer in glass bottles
Local Turk's Head beer, made on the island of Providenciales.

Visitors and residents are allowed to bring into the Turks and Caicos alcohol and tobacco products.

All persons over the age of 17 are allowed 1 liter (33.8 US fluid ounces) of spirits OR 2 liters (67.6 US fluid ounces) of wine (less than 40% alcohol by volume), and 200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250 grams (8.8 ounces) of tobacco.

Alcohol and tobacco products that exceed the above amounts will incur customs duty. Alcohol, spirits, beer, and wine typically have a fixed duty rate per quantity of fluid, which roughly ranges from $10 to $40 per gallon, depending on the type of alcohol.

Obtaining a Plant Import Permit or Animal Import Permit

When importing meats in large quantities and when importing some plant and animal products into the Turks and Caicos, special permits and approvals must be obtained prior to entry.

An application must be made to the Agriculture Department prior to import. Customs duties may also be incurred.

Information Required for Permits

  • Proposed date of entry
  • Port of entry
  • Country of origin and any country of transit
  • Name of the species or item to be imported and the quantity
  • Means of transport
  • Proof of ownership or custodianship of animals/plants
  • Final destination in the Islands
  • Evidence that an international phytosanitary certificate has been issued in respect of the article in the exporting country from an approved country

The responsible local authority reserves the right to request and require other information in individual cases.