Port Lucaya Marketplace

- Shopping, Dining & Entertainment -

Duty Free Shopping

The following duty-free items range between 15%-30% below U.S. and European prices. These items include fine jewelry, watches, leather products, china, crystal, crocheted linens and tablecloths, liquor, perfume and cologne, photographic equipment and accessories, sweaters.

US Residents

Returning US residents (each family member including infants) who were out the US for 48 hours may claim duty free retail merchandise valued up to $800.00 each without paying duty and may only be claimed every 30 days. Purchases up to $1,000.00 retail in excess of $800.00 exemption is assessed at a flat rate of 3%. One person, on one day, may receive a shipment of goods purchased in the Bahamas to their US address duty free, providing the value does not exceed $200.00.

Liquor And Tobacco Products

US exemption may include up to 2 liters (67.6 oz.) of liquor per person 21 or older, provided one liter is manufactured in the Bahamas or Caribbean Basin. Tobacco products have limited entry, with 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars (Cuban cigars are not allowed) allowed per person 18 or older.

Canandian Residents

Canadian residents may take advantage of one of three options if they are out of the country 24 hours, they may claim CDN$50.00 duty free allowance any number of times throughout the year excluding tobacco and alcohol products. Residents out of the country for 48 hours may claim CDN$400.00 this may include 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and up to 1.14 litres (40 oz.) of liquor or 1.5 litres of wine or 24 twelve oz. containers of beer. Canadian residents who were outside of the country for 7days or more may claim a CDN$750.00 exemption including the alcohol and tobacco amounts indicated above.

United Kingdom Residents

Residents are entitled to a £390 duty exemption for gifts and souvenirs plus an allowance for other items including perfume (60 ml) and toilet water (250 ml). The exemption also extends to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, two liters of wine, one liter of liquor (over 22% alcohol), or two liters sparkling wine or other liqueurs. Tobacco and alcohol products are for persons over 17. Residents must have visited for at least 24 hours; should the value exceed the £390 exemption level; duty is assessed on the full value inclusive of the 390 pounds.

Bahamas Customs

Visitors may bring in certain items free of customs and stamp tax duty. These items include apparel, toiletries and similar personal effects; one qt. of alcohol beverage; one qt. of wine; one lb. in weight of tobacco of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars (adults only); and any other articles up to a value of $100.00.

General Information

BANKING 9:30a.m.-3:00p.m. Monday -Thursday and 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Saturday banking is available at RBC Royal Bank 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Commonwealth Bank, Mall Drive 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Closed Sunday and all Bahamian Holidays

ATMs operated by RBC Royal Bank (Bah) Ltd. and CIBC First Caribbean International (Bah) provide convenient round-the-clock banking in Port Lucaya Marketplace.

US Dollar / Exchange Rates

US Dollar is on par with Bahamian Dollars. Small commission fees are imposed on traveler’s cheques when converting local currency into U.S. dollars.

Immigration

When you arrive in the Bahamas you are given an immigration card to complete. The immigration officer at the point of entry pulls the card and leaves you with the stub. Return the stub to the ticket agent upon your departure from the Bahamas.

Taxes

There are no sales taxes in the Bahamas. A 12% value added tax (VAT) is charged on most goods and services. Visitors can enjoy zero-rated VAT purchases upon proof of non-residency when shopping provided that the total invoice is valued at more than $25.00. Look for stores displaying an ‘Authorized Tax and Duty Free Goods’ certificate.

Taxi Fares

One to two passengers, first ¼ mile is $3.00. Each additional ¼ mile is 40¢. Each additional passenger is $3.00 and accompanied children under three rides free. Taxi from the port to Port Lucaya Marketplace is a $10.00 round trip.

Waiting Charge 30¢ per minute except when hired by the hour.

Baggage Charge

No charge for up to two pieces of luggage, plus small bags and packages carried by passengers. Each additional piece of regular-sized luggage, $2.00; large duffel bags and large boxes $3.00.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (Visit website)

The Bahamas has comprised of 700 islands sprinkled over 100,000 square miles of ocean starting just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. The archipelago is an ecological oasis featuring 2,000 breathtaking islands and cays and boasts the clearest water on the planet—with a visibility of over 200 feet. You can see your toes as easily as you can see the world’s third largest barrier reef.

We invite you to explore all of our islands. One step and you’ll realize our beauty extends far beyond our extraordinary natural wonders. It’s the smiles on the faces of the Bahamian people. The unique sounds of our rich culture. The warm hospitality of our heritage and our colorful history.

Pelican Bay Hotel (Visit website)

Pelican Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island is the happiest choice in Lucaya hotels, featuring a collection of waterside rooms, onsite dining and more.

Unexso (Visit website)

Conveniently located on the Port Lucaya Marina near Port Lucaya Marketplace, the shopping mecca of beautiful Freeport, Grand Bahama, UNEXSO offers a wide variety of diving and dolphin experiences. The most popular is our dolphin swims, this is where you can swim and interact with the dolphins in a protected lagoon. You will enjoy a perfect mix of dolphin behaviors and relaxed swimming.

Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (Visit website)

To provide the network, to sustain, promote and support business development in an effort to encourage growth and expansion in the Grand Bahama economy and within a healthy and clean community environment.

Grand Bahama Port Authority (Visit website)

Overseeing the residential and business development of Freeport and providing duty free incentives for overseas business.