Guide
22.25% of CIF. What that means in real numbers.
Bermuda charges a 22.25% import duty on recreational boats brought into the island. The duty is assessed on the boat's CIF value, the Cost of the boat, plus Insurance during shipping, plus Freight to Bermuda, and is paid one time, when the boat clears Bermuda Customs. After that, no further duty is owed. This is the single biggest line item in any Bermuda boat import budget and the main reason buying a used boat already on island can be meaningfully cheaper than importing a comparable new one. Here's how the math actually works.
Bermuda Customs uses CIF as the duty base. The formula is straightforward:
Duty = (Boat Cost + Marine Insurance + Freight) × 22.25%
The boat cost is taken from the bill of sale. The insurance and freight are taken from the documented shipping paperwork. Customs may request supporting documents (invoice, freight bill, insurance certificate). We provide all of these as part of the customs declaration we file for you.
Example 1: used 23-ft center console from Florida. Purchase price $45,000. Marine cargo insurance $400. Florida-to-Bermuda freight $3,500. CIF = $48,900. Duty = $48,900 × 22.25% = $10,880. Total landed cost before BMA registration: $59,780.
Example 2: new 28-ft sport fisher from a Carolina dealer. Purchase price $185,000. Insurance $900. Freight $5,200. CIF = $191,100. Duty = $191,100 × 22.25% = $42,520. Total landed before BMA: $233,620.
Example 3: large pontoon from a Great Lakes dealer. Purchase price $75,000. Insurance $600. Freight $4,800 (longer route). CIF = $80,400. Duty = $80,400 × 22.25% = $17,889. Total landed before BMA: $98,289.
Duty is payable when the boat arrives at the port of entry and Customs clears it. In practice, BDA Boats pays the duty on your behalf at the dock (so the boat is released for delivery the same day it arrives) and then invoices you for the exact duty paid plus our handling fee. No markup on the duty itself. Customs gives us a receipt and that's what you see on the bill.
You must have the funds available by the time of the boat's arrival. We give you a written duty estimate the moment you commit to the buy so there are no surprises six weeks later.
A used boat already in Bermuda has had its duty paid by a previous owner, meaning the asking price you see already reflects the post-duty cost. When you buy used locally, you pay the asking price plus a small registration transfer fee and that's it.
When you import, you pay the boat price plus freight plus 22.25% on top. So a $45K used center console already in Bermuda often comes out cheaper than importing the same model new at $50K from Florida, even though the new boat's purchase price is only marginally higher. We give you both numbers when you tell us what you're after. Sometimes the import still wins (custom spec, low-hour engine), and sometimes used local is the smart call.
The Bermuda Government sets and adjusts the import duty rate through the annual budget. The 22.25% rate is current as of 2026 and has been stable for several years. Always confirm the current rate at the time of import. we always quote you with the latest rate and call out any pending budget changes that could affect your import.
For the official current schedule, the Bermuda Customs website lists every tariff classification. For boats, the recreational pleasure craft classification applies.
Yes, the 22.25% rate applies to recreational pleasure boats and personal watercraft. Commercial vessels and certain specialized craft may have different classifications. This rate is set by the Bermuda Government and is subject to change at any time, so always confirm the current rate at the time of import.
CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, Freight. The Cost is the agreed purchase price of the boat. Insurance is the marine cargo insurance covering the boat during shipping. Freight is the shipping cost from origin port to Bermuda. Bermuda Customs assesses the 22.25% duty on the sum of these three.
No. Duty is paid once, by the original importer. When a boat changes hands between Bermuda owners after that, no further duty is owed. This is one reason buying used in Bermuda often works out cheaper than importing new.
No. The 22.25% duty is paid once and is non-refundable. Plan accordingly: a $100K imported boat costs you the $100K plus shipping plus 22.25% duty on the CIF total. Once the boat is in Bermuda, that duty is a sunk cost.
Send Sean the boat you're considering and we'll come back with the exact duty number for your purchase.
