Essential Information About Bermuda

Essential Information About Bermuda

Customs and Immigration

Upon entry you may bring in, free of customs duties, any and all personal effects and clothing including hair dryers, radios, sports equipment, cameras, small tvs, travelling irons, micro cassette records. Also permitted duty free: 1 quart of wine and 1 quart of spirits, 200 cigarettes, 1 lb of tobacco and 50 cigars.

Buses

User-friendly pink buses with panoramic windows, service the island from end to end and run on a regular schedule throughout the day to 11.45 pm. The bus terminal in Hamilton is off Church Street. Bus stops are marked by poles with pink and navy rings. If the top of the pole is pink the bus is heading into Hamilton. If it is navy it is heading out of town.

Taxis

All taxis are metered and their tariff fixed by law. Bermudian taxi operators are among the finest in the world.

Mopeds and Motor Scooters

Motorised individual transportation is available in the form of mopeds or motor scooters. There are no rental cars in Bermuda. The cycle liveries will gladly outfit you with a reliable cycle, lock, helmet and insurance. The only requirement is that you need to be over 16 and be deemed fit by your instructor.

Ferries

Ferries provide a reliable and delightful way for visitors to travel around the island. For information about departure times pick up your ferry schedule at the terminal in Hamilton.

Money

The Bermuda dollar and the US dollar are accepted at par. Pounds Sterling, Canadian dollars and other currencies must be exchanged at local banks. Most establishments will accept Travellers’ Cheques but may require identification.

Departure Customs Regulations

Every US visitor to Bermuda ( after 48 hours) may take home $400 worth of purchase duty free, as well as 100 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol, every 31 days, duty free. You may also mail gifts home (not exceeding $50 in value and not to yourself, but no more than one gift per person per day). Tobacco, alcohol and perfume may not be mailed as a gift. Gifts are duty free and do not affect your individual allowance. You will be charged 10% duty on the first $1,000 worth of goods in excess of the $400 limit.

In bond liquor purchases must be made at least 24 hours prior to your departure and are picked up at the airport. There is now a duty free shop at the airport. Antiques, prints, maps, etc. (certified over 100 years old) are duty free. US visitors clear US Customs in Bermuda at the Cival Air Terminal, prior to returning to the United States.

Visitors from Canada enjoy a $300 duty free allowance once a year, providing they have stayed seven days or more, $100 for shorter visits. You may also bring home 1 bottle of liquor, 50 cigars, 2 lbs of tobacco and gifts worth up to $25 once a year. United Kingdom and EC residents: Alcohol 1 litre of spirits, or 2 litres of fortified wine (some liquors) and 2 litres table wine. Perfume: 2 fl oz (60cc) or toilet water 9 fl oz. Gifts, souvenirs, other goods to the value of L145. Tobacco 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 25oz tobacco.

Communications

Cable and Wireless is responsible for the majority of telecommunications in and out of Bermuda. Prepaid world calling cards which can be used at any touch-tone phone are available in denominations of $10, $25 and $50.
Visitors should be aware that most of the US and Canadian toll-free (800) numbers are NOT toll-free from Bermuda. You will receive a warning message when you use such numbers and you will be charged long distance rates for these calls.

Customs and Immigration
Upon entry you may bring in, free of customs duties, any and all personal effects and clothing including hair dryers, radios, sports equipment, cameras, small tvs, travelling irons, micro cassette records. Also permitted duty free: 1 quart of wine and 1 quart of spirits, 200 cigarettes, 1 lb of tobacco and 50 cigars.

	Buses
	User-friendly pink buses with panoramic windows, service the island from end to end and run on a regular schedule throughout the day to 11.45 pm. The bus terminal in Hamilton is off Church Street. Bus stops are marked by poles with pink and navy rings. If the top of the pole is pink the bus is heading into Hamilton. If it is navy it is heading out of town.

Taxis
All taxis are metered and their tariff fixed by law. Bermudian taxi operators are among the finest in the world.

	Mopeds and Motor Scooters
	Motorised individual transportation is available in the form of mopeds or motor scooters. There are no rental cars in Bermuda. The cycle liveries will gladly outfit you with a reliable cycle, lock, helmet and insurance. The only requirement is that you need to be over 16 and be deemed fit by your instructor.

Ferries
Ferries provide a reliable and delightful way for visitors to travel around the island. For information about departure times pick up your ferry schedule at the terminal in Hamilton.

	Money
	The Bermuda dollar and the US dollar are accepted at par. Pounds Sterling, Canadian dollars and other currencies must be exchanged at local banks. Most establishments will accept Travellers’ Cheques but may require identification.

Departure Customs Regulations
Every US visitor to Bermuda ( after 48 hours) may take home $400 worth of purchase duty free, as well as 100 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol, every 31 days, duty free. You may also mail gifts home (not exceeding $50 in value and not to yourself, but no more than one gift per person per day). Tobacco, alcohol and perfume may not be mailed as a gift. Gifts are duty free and do not affect your individual allowance. You will be charged 10% duty on the first $1,000 worth of goods in excess of the $400 limit. In bond liquor purchases must be made at least 24 hours prior to your departure and are picked up at the airport. There is now a duty free shop at the airport. Antiques, prints, maps, etc. (certified over 100 years old) are duty free. US visitors clear US Customs in Bermuda at the Cival Air Terminal, prior to returning to the United States. Visitors from Canada enjoy a $300 duty free allowance once a year, providing they have stayed seven days or more, $100 for shorter visits. You may also bring home 1 bottle of liquor, 50 cigars, 2 lbs of tobacco and gifts worth up to $25 once a year. United Kingdom and EC residents: Alcohol 1 litre of spirits, or 2 litres of fortified wine (some liquors) and 2 litres table wine. Perfume: 2 fl oz (60cc) or toilet water 9 fl oz. Gifts, souvenirs, other goods to the value of L145. Tobacco 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 25oz tobacco.

	Communications
	Cable and Wireless is responsible for the majority of telecommunications in and out of Bermuda. Prepaid world calling cards which can be used at any touch-tone phone are available in denominations of $10, $25 and $50. Visitors should be aware that most of the US and Canadian toll-free (800) numbers are NOT toll-free from Bermuda. You will receive a warning message when you use such numbers and you will be charged long distance rates for these calls.