Private

Persons entering or leaving Sint Maarten are required to report any money, precious metals, jewelry, or other items carrying a value of Cg 25,000 or more to a Sint Maarten Customs Official, or in their absence, to an Immigration Official.

For persons demonstrably traveling together, the combined value of Cg 20,000 or more applies.

Failure to report will result in confiscation or prosecution.

There are certain goods you can’t simply take with you.
Specific rules apply. If you don’t comply with the rules, you may be fined, and Customs will confiscate your goods.

It is prohibited to import or export protected animals or plants. It is also prohibited to import or export products made from protected animals or plants. This includes:

• Plants such as orchids and cacti.
• Animals, such as certain snakes, monitor lizards, turtles, iguanas, parrots, and other exotic birds, etc.
• Coral and special shells such as whelks and conchs.
• Articles made from protected animal and plant species, such as shoes, bags and watch straps made of snakeskin, necklaces and bracelets inlaid with ivory, ivory statuettes, prepared butterflies or snakes, ornaments made of coral, hair combs or other tortoiseshell ornaments, medicinal plasters and medicines.

If the animals or plants belong to a protected species, you will need CITES documents. CITES is an organization that monitors the global trade of protected animals and plant species. On the CITES website, you will find all the information about these protected animal and plant species, the necessary import documents, and other useful information. You can read all about CITES here.

Possession of drugs such as hemp, hashish, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy is severely punished worldwide. Anyone apprehended by Customs with drugs can face imprisonment, even if the amount seized is small.

Importing medication requires a permit issued by the Sint Maarten’s Health Inspectorate. Are you taking medication? Bring your medical passport or medical certificate. Customs may sometimes ask for proof that the medication is for you (or your children). You can obtain these documents from your doctor or GP.

The import and export of firearms, other weapons, and ammunition is strictly prohibited.

An import permit is required for certain products and goods. This permit is available from the official authorities. You must present this permit to Customs at the time of import. Without an import permit, your goods may not be imported.

These goods may not be imported without an import permit:

• Firearms and ammunition.
• Prohibited substances that fall under the Opium Act.
• Counterfeit copied or plagiarized products.
• Living animals.
• Plants and flowers.
• For dead animals, please contact the Inspectorate of VSA for import and export specifications

Alcohol and certain other goods are subject to excise controls.

For private individuals:

• Maximum of 3 liters of distilled alcohol (50% strength equivalent) for personal household use.
• Quantities above this require valid customs documentation.
• Alcohol above 70% strength without proper documentation is prohibited.

Persons entering or leaving Sint Maarten are required to report any money, precious metals, jewelry, or other items carrying a value of Cg 25,000 or more to a Sint Maarten Customs Official, or in their absence, to an Immigration Official.

For persons demonstrably traveling together, the combined value of Cg 20,000 or more applies.

Failure to report will result in confiscation or prosecution.

There are certain goods you can’t simply take with you.
Specific rules apply. If you don’t comply with the rules, you may be fined, and Customs will confiscate your goods.

It is prohibited to import or export protected animals or plants. It is also prohibited to import or export products made from protected animals or plants. This includes:

• Plants such as orchids and cacti.
• Animals, such as certain snakes, monitor lizards, turtles, iguanas, parrots, and other exotic birds, etc.
• Coral and special shells such as whelks and conchs.
• Articles made from protected animal and plant species, such as shoes, bags and watch straps made of snakeskin, necklaces and bracelets inlaid with ivory, ivory statuettes, prepared butterflies or snakes, ornaments made of coral, hair combs or other tortoiseshell ornaments, medicinal plasters and medicines.

If the animals or plants belong to a protected species, you will need CITES documents. CITES is an organization that monitors the global trade of protected animals and plant species. On the CITES website, you will find all the information about these protected animal and plant species, the necessary import documents, and other useful information. You can read all about CITES here.

Possession of drugs such as hemp, hashish, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy is severely punished worldwide. Anyone apprehended by Customs with drugs can face imprisonment, even if the amount seized is small.

Importing medication requires a permit issued by the Sint Maarten’s Health Inspectorate. Are you taking medication? Bring your medical passport or medical certificate. Customs may sometimes ask for proof that the medication is for you (or your children). You can obtain these documents from your doctor or GP.

The import and export of firearms, other weapons, and ammunition is strictly prohibited.

An import permit is required for certain products and goods. This permit is available from the official authorities. You must present this permit to Customs at the time of import. Without an import permit, your goods may not be imported.

These goods may not be imported without an import permit:

• Firearms and ammunition.
• Prohibited substances that fall under the Opium Act.
• Counterfeit copied or plagiarized products.
• Living animals.
• Plants and flowers.
• For dead animals, please contact the Inspectorate of VSA for import and export specifications

Alcohol and certain other goods are subject to excise controls.

For private individuals:

• Maximum of 3 liters of distilled alcohol (50% strength equivalent) for personal household use.
• Quantities above this require valid customs documentation.
• Alcohol above 70% strength without proper documentation is prohibited.

All vessels must report to Customs within 6 hours of arrival.

If arriving:

• Within 6 hours before office closing, clearance may occur the next working day.
• Outside office hours, clearance must occur before 10:00 AM on the next working day.

Failure to report may result in enforcement action.

Goods recovered from:

• Shipwrecks
• Maritime accidents
• Goods lost at sea

Goods must be reported immediately to Customs.

Such goods may be re-exported duty-free within a timeframe determined by Customs.

The two nation islands share borders with two different administrations. Laws that apply to one administration may not be the same for the other. Travelers should take this into account while crossing borders.

Goods may only be imported:

By land: only at approved Dutch–French border crossings:

• Illidge Road
• Union Road
• Oyster Pond
• Lowlands Road
• Concordia

Entry elsewhere requires written permission from the Inspector of Customs.

Permission is not granted if excise goods are part of the shipment.

For clarification on customs procedures, documentation requirements, or electronic filing access, please contact the Sint Maarten Customs Department.

We are committed to facilitating lawful trade and protecting our borders.