Drone Photography - Bahamas

[02gluken]

For those of us that have also gotten in to taking drone pictures, you may want to rethink taking your drone to the Bahamas. I am doing live aboard next week and have done some investigating prior to taking drone along. First you have to register your drone with the Civil Aviation Authority in the Bahamas. Plus second, be prepared to pay taxes up to 70% of the value of the drone when going thru customs in the Bahamas. Apparently Bahamian Officials have decide to treat drones entirely differently than underwater camera equipment.

 

[tridacna]

So which country exactly are you talking about? Title says Bermuda - Body mentions Bahamas.

 

[02gluken]

So which country exactly are you talking about? Title says Bermuda - Body mentions Bahamas.

Sorry, I did mean Bahamas. I did get some additional info today. If you do bring a drone and have registered it with their civil aviation department. When you enter the country, they give you a $100 personal allowance to deduct away from the value of the drone. So if for example the drone is valued at $1000, you deduct the $100 and have to pay a tax of 45% plus a VAT tax of 4.5% on the value of the drone. If this tax is paid in cash, they give you a receipt and at the end of the trip you return to the office with your receipt and drone, they refund you the charges. If you pay by credit card, the money is kept. So to bring drone in to Bahamas you 1st have register the drone. Then when you enter the country bring either a receipt from when you purchased it or a valuation of what the drone would cost like an article from Amazon. Then upon entering the Bahamas present the registration and document of valuation to the appropriate customs officer, pay your tax and you are on your way. Then when leaving present receipt and drone and recover the taxes paid. If it goes that smooth and easy.