Travel Information

Customs

Arrivals
Visitors arriving in the Cayman Islands may bring in any personal items for use while on vacation duty-free. Also, visitors 18 and older can bring in (duty-free) either one litre of alcohol, four litres of wine or one case of beer (not exceeding eight litres) and 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. Don't be confused by the Customs forms which states that returning residents are allowed CI$300 worth of goods duty free. This privilege does not apply to visitors. Please also remember that any gifts you are bringing into Cayman may also be subject to duty.

Prohibited Goods
Importing or possession of any kind of illegal drugs, including marijuana (ganja) is strictly prohibited by law and violators face arrest and prosecution by local authorities.

Also prohibited are:

• Firearms of any kind
• Spear guns (or pole spears or Hawaiian slings)
• Live plants and plant cuttings; raw fruits and vegetables

If you have questions about any item, contact the Collector of Customs, (345) 949-2473.

Departures
Visitors from the US should be aware that products made from farmed green sea turtles available in limited selections at the Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. are offered for local consumption. The importation of genuine sea turtle products is strictly prohibited by any countries which have signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (1978) including the USA, Canada and UK. In addition, US Customs prohibits the transhipment of turtle products through the US. Any products discovered will be confiscated. Plants and Animals: You will not be allowed to bring back any plants or plant seeds, vegetables or fruits unless you have official permits from US Customs. Otherwise, these will be confiscated by Customs at US gateways.

Language
English is our official language, with a distinctive "brogue" reflecting heritage of Welsh, Scottish and English ancestors still distinguishing the speech of the Caymanian people. The number of Jamaican residents in the work force means the Jamaican patois and accompanying heavier accent is also common. Spanish, particularly regional dialects of Central America and Cuba, is also widely spoken.