The Cayman Islands government does not impose import duties upon all items brought to the island, nor do the Cayman Islands have sales tax. Therefore, it is possible to obtain many luxury items at a lower cost in the Cayman Islands than in the United States. Cayman Islands merchants pass these savings onto their customers at savings often far greater than found in other Caribbean duty free ports and airport locations. The best deals are found in jewellery, perfume, china, crystal, and cigars; even coffee.
   
 

HOW MUCH CAN I BUY? While duty free import limits are set by the traveller's home country on how much he or she can bring home without paying some import duties, most countries give their citizens travelling in the Caribbean generous duty-free allowances. This allowance permits travellers a certain dollar amount of purchases-per-person that may be brought into their home country with no taxes whatsoever. Allowances always vary from home country to home country and by the destination and time visited, so make sure to check the literature available from the local customs department. U.S. citizens, for example, can bring home $800 per person duty free, which suggests that your purchases can add up, especially

  for a family when travelling together, as each member of the family is given the same duty free dollar allowance. When purchases exceed the basic allowance, U.S. Customs typically applies a duty of only 10% on the first $1000 in purchases over the allowance. Obviously, the bottom line is greater value and savings for everyone, especially on purchases of the same items available in the United States.

HOW BIG ARE THE SAVINGS? Savings on duty free and tax free purchases are normally far more than 20% and can be as much as 60% below the retail cost in the United States. Well-informed shoppers realize that in Grand Cayman, value and savings all add up at Island Companies Ltd. stores and boutiques!