Market Reports/Tariffs
Textiles, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods

Bermuda

Import Tariffs
Documentation/Procedures
Restrictions
Standards
Labeling
Intellectual Property Rights
Market Information

Last updated on 01/09/2012

If you have any questions about the following information, please contact Linda Martinich at the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel at 202-482-4058 or click here for e-mail access.

**The following information is provided only as a guide and should be confirmed with the proper authorities before embarking on any export activities.**


Import Tariffs - Bermuda
Bermuda Tariffs (percent ad valorem) for Textiles, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods
HS Chapter/Subheading
Tariff Rate Range (%)
Yarn
-silk
5003-5006
6.5
-wool
5105-5110
6.5
-cotton
5204-5207
6.5
-other vegetable fiber
5306-5308
6.5
-man-made fiber
5401-5406/5501-5511
6.5
........................
Woven Fabric
-silk
5007
6.5
-wool
5111-5113
6.5
-cotton
5208-5212
6.5
-other vegetable fiber
5309-5311
6.5
-man-made fiber
5407-5408/5512-5516
6.5
Knit Fabric
60
8.5 - 22.25
.........................
Non Woven Fabric
5603
22.25
Industrial Fabric
59
22.25
........................
Apparel
61-62
6.5
Home Furnishings
including: bed, bath, kitchen linens, etc.......
63
6.5 - 22.25
........................
Carpet

Footwear

Travel Goods
57

64

4202
22.25

10

6.5

For more detailed tariff information, see the 2012 Customs Tariff on the H.M. Customs Bermuda website. Click on "Commodities Tariff Search," then click on "Official Tariff" at the top of the "Commodities Tariff Search" page.

Temporary Entry/Samples--Some goods may be imported on a temporary basis without the payment of customs duty. Goods imported for short periods of time must have a monetary security (customs deposit) placed with customs prior to being released by customs. This security/deposit amount can be recovered in full, less the wharfage fee, currently 1.01% for airport arrivals and 1.11% for Hamilton dock arrivals, by proper adjustment of the deposit with customs. Some restrictions apply and proper export procedures MUST be followed to obtain a refund of the deposit.

For information on how to determine tariff rates, see the Export.gov webpage on Tariffs and Import Fees.

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Import Documentation/Procedures (Bermuda)

For more information on local customs rules and regulations:
H.M. Customs Bermuda
For information on common export documents, such as transportation documents, export compliance documents, certificates of origin, certificates for shipments of specific goods, temporary shipment documents, and other export-related documents, see the Export.gov webpage on Common Export Documents.

For more information on import procedures and documentation requirements, see the Country Commercial Guides (CCG) in the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library (enter your country of interest in the "country" field, and enter "Country Commercial Guide (CCG)" in the "Report Type" field. Some market research reports are available only to U.S. companies and U.S. students/researchers that are registered with Export.gov.

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Import Restrictions (Bermuda)
No information is currently available on any bans, quotas, or other restrictions.

U.S. Export Restrictions:

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, and international narcotics traffickers and their agents in accordance with U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. The OFAC website includes summaries of sanctions programs for various countries and the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” (SDNs) list of entities and individuals with whom U.S. persons may not conduct business and whose property must be blocked if under the control of a U.S. person.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which regulate the export and re-export of most commercial items. BIS maintains the Denied Persons List, which consists of individuals, and companies that have been denied export and re-export privileges by BIS, and the Entity List, which consists of foreign end users who pose an unacceptable risk of diverting U.S. exports and the technology they contain to alternate destinations for the development of weapons of mass destruction
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Standards - Bermuda
Existing standards can be found on-line on the Bermuda Laws website under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 and the Sales of Goods Act 1978. Also see the Consumer Affairs office Consumer Affairs Website.

Local standards organization and other resources:
Consumer Affairs office Consumer Affairs Website.

The National Center for Standards and Certification Information (NCSCI) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. Department of Commerce provides information on U.S. and foreign standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures for non-agricultural products. NCSCI staff responds to requests for information by identifying relevant standards and regulations, and by referral to the appropriate standards-developers or private-sector organizations. Under copyright restrictions, NCSCI cannot provide copies of standards, but NCSCI does provide sources for accessing standards.

U.S. companies can register for the Notify U.S. service to learn about and comment on proposed changes to foreign standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures that may affect U.S. access to global markets.

Additional resources:

Examples of voluntary formaldehyde labeling programs

American Apparel and Footwear Association's Restricted Substances List

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)


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Labeling - Bermuda
Bermuda follows the same labeling and marking requirements as the U.K.

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Intellectual Property Rights - Bermuda
As an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, Bermuda is subject to the same treaties to which the U.K. is a party, including those concerning intellectual property rights.

The Registry General is responsible for the registration of copyright, designs, patents and trademarks.

For information on protecting your trademarks, patents and copyrights:

Export.gov --Protecting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Abroad

StopFakes.gov


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Market Information - Bermuda


Government Procurement-- See Global Procurement Opportunities for U.S. exporters.

The tenders for bid are advertised locally in the Official Gazette section of the Bermuda Sun.

U.S. companies may contact the U.S. Commercial Service for information and personalized counseling at every step of the exporting process. Find a U.S. Export Assistance Centers near you or contact an international office.

Other sources for market information and data:
OTEXA Export Market Report (U.S. export data for textiles, apparel, footwear and travel goods)

Export.gov Trade Data & Analysis webpage

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service

U.S. Department of State - U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions and
U.S. Department of State Country Background Notes

U.S. Office of the Trade Representative

Local Industry and Trade Associations

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Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA)
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20230
Phone: (202) 482-5078  |  Fax: (202) 482-2331
OTEXA@trade.gov