CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Duty Free
Persons 18 years of age or older are allowed to bring to Aruba 2 (two) liters of liquor and 200 (two hundred) cigarettes, 50 (fifty) cigars, and 250g (two hundred and fifty grams) of tobacco. Importation of animals or pets from South and Central America is prohibited. Hotels do not have facilities for pets.

When leaving the island, it is important to keep in mind the rules and regulations of your own country regarding what your allowance is for taking any such items back with you. In the case of the US and Canada, the regulations are shown below.

UNITED STATES
Significant benefits for international travelers are included in the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplificant Act of 1978. Highlights of the law, as of January 27, 1983, and the September 4, 1990 revisions, are outlined below. Specifically these revisions concern ARUBA & THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustacia, St. Maarten) as well as 22 other beneficiary countries, basically in the Caribbean basin area.
1. You may bring home, free of duty, $600 worth of articles based on the retail value in the country of acquisitions.

2. The number of cigarettes which you may include in your duty-free exemption is 200 (one carton).

3. The allowance of Duty-free liquor is one fifth plus a second bottle of locally produced liquor per person over 21 years of age within the $600 exemption. However, substantial savings can be realized when taking back more,because even with the duty it's still cheaper than at the corner liquor store in the US. This is especially true of the higher priced brands.

4. Articles accompanying you, in excess of your personal $600 exemption, up to $1000, will be assessed at a flat 10% rate of duty. These articles must be for personal use or for use as gifts, and not for resale. This provision may be used once every 30 days, excluding the days of your last arrival.

5. Members of a family residing in one household traveling together on their return to the US. can group articles acquired for application of the flat duty rate, regardless of which family member may be the owner. For example, an eligible family of four can have their articles grouped together, for a total of $2,400 with no duty and $3,200 with 10% (see point 4) fair retail value for entry at the flat rate.

6. If you can not claim your personal $600 exemption because you have used it in the preceding 30 days or you were out of the country for less than 48 hours (Mexico & Virgin Islands excluded), you are allowed to bring in $25 worth of articles for your personal or household use.

7. In addition to the $600 exemption, each traveler can mail an unlimited number of gifts valued at $200 to friends and relatives back home, provided the addressee does not receive more than one gift parcel in a day. No declaration is required and no tax is levied. No liquor or tobacco is permitted. (As of July 28, 1994.)

8. FREE OF DUTY are foreign photographic film, original paintings, drawings & sculptures, foreign language books, antiques, caviar and truffles. Under the US. program of trade concessions to developing regions, your gold and silver jewelry could qualify as original works of art if made in the Netherlands Antilles (obtain a certificate from the place of purchase that your jewelry was made here). All locally made souvenirs and handicrafts are duty-free.

9. You may not bring in any merchandise which originates from North Korea, North Vietnam, Zimbabwe or Cuba. Goods from China, however, are allowed.

10. If you understate the value of an article you declare or otherwise misrepresent an article on your declaration, you may have to pay a penalty in addition to payment of duty. Under certain circumstances, the article can be seized and then forfeited if the penalty is not paid.

11. Regulations covering the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam, are different than those pertaining to the Netherlands Antilles. Check with the individual islands or with US. customs. Of course, customs clearance and exemptions for both US. residents and visitors are subject to the same restrictions and requirements as in the past; e.g., endangered species, air pollution, agricultural items and safety control for vehicles. These are all covered in leaflets issued for International travelers: "Know before you go: Customs hints for returning residents", "Customs hints for visitors & non-residents", & "Customs tips for visitors". Copies may be obtained from U. S. Customs, PO. Box 7118, Washington, DC.

CANADA
1. If you have been away from Canada 24 hours or more you may bring in goods to the value of C$ 50, excluding alcohol and tobacco, free of duty. This exemption may be claimed any number of times a year.

2. If you have been away for 48 hours, any number of times a year, you may bring in C$ 200 in goods. After seven days absence or more, you may bring;n up to C$ 500 of goods every time.

3. If you are eligible for the quarterly or yearly exemption, the dollar value of certain amounts of tobacco and alcohol may be brought in under that exemption. These are 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars or cigarillos and .91 kg (2 Ibs) of tobacco. You must be 16 years of age. Additional tobacco may be brought in, if you are willing to pay duty and taxes on the excess. In addition, if you meet the age requirement of the place where you reenter Canada, you may bring in 1.1 liters (40 oz.) of wine or liquor or 24 x 12 oz, cans or bottles or its equivalent (8.2 liters, 288 a oz.) of beer or ale. The cost of exceeding the alcoholic beverage allowance is high, but you are allowed 9 extra liters.

4. You may not pool your exemptions with any other person's. All goods for exemption must be for personal or household use or gifts.

5. After any trip abroad from 48 hours or more, you are entitled to a special 20% tax rate on: goods valued up to C$300 over and above your C$200 or C$500 personal exemption or goods valued up to C$500, if no personal exemption is being claimed. This excludes alcohol or tobacco. Regular duty and taxes apply to all importation's in excess.

6. You may send gifts, worth no more than C$40, to Canada free of duty. Be sure a gift card is included. This will not count against your personal exemption. No alcohol, tobacco or advertising material may be included. If gifts exceed C$40, addressee must pay duty and taxes on the excess amount.

7. Goods you bring in under the $50 and $200 exemption law must accompany you in all cases. Under the $500 exemption law, they may follow by mail or other transport, but you must declare them when you reenter Canada.

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