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Many foreign countries have laws for importing or exporting certain goods through their borders. Travelers should make themselves aware of customs rules for countries they plan to visit, as well as for their home country.
Customs in Saba
Saba is a free port, and travelers do not have to go through customs to enter the island. However, there are restrictions on importation and exportation of firearms and wildlife. Although there are no customs when entering Saba, all travelers to the island must connect in St. Maarten. Customs in St. Maarten allow travelers to import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, and 2 liters of alcohol. Marine specimens such as coral and shells are illegal to export from St. Maarten. Illegal drugs are not permitted in Saba or St. Maarten. Travelers can check with their local embassies for up-to-date customs information.
Customs Allowances for Re-entering the United States
The personal exemption allowance given to travelers returning to the United States from the Netherlands Antilles is $800(USD). Goods in excess of this allowance will be eligible for duty. Travelers may import limited amounts of alcohol and tobacco; the value of these goods will be included in the $800(USD) allowance. Travelers who have visited both Saba and a United States insular possession, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, are given an exemption allowance of $1600(USD). No more than $800(USD) may be acquired from each place, however. Travelers are advised to save all sales receipts from their trip. Vacationers sending a package back to locations in the United States from Saba can send a value of up to $800(USD). Any packages that include fruits, meats, and other potentially hazardous or unhealthy materials may be inspected and the items confiscated. Travelers should be aware of the health risks posed by introducing foreign foods, plants, fruits, animals, insects, fish specimens, and other materials to the United States. Many of these types of items will not be allowed through United States customs. Restrictions are also placed on the import of items such as firearms and medications. Travelers should declare all foreign items they are attempting to import. United States citizens with specific questions regarding custom procedures and policies can contact the United States Customs and Border Protection (http://www.customs.gov).
What You Can Bring Home
| Items | Allowance |
| Tobacco | 200 cigarettes 100 cigars (cannot be produced in Cuba) |
| Alcohol *must be 21 years of age |
2 liters of alcohol *1 liter must be produced in a Caribbean Basin country |
| Fine Art and Antiques (over 100 years of age) |
duty free |
In the event that a traveler is returning to the United States from Saba less than 48 hours after leaving the U.S., the items in their $800(USD) allowance are limited to: 50 cigarettes, 10 cigars, 150 milliliters of liquor and 150 milliliters of perfume.
Customs Contacts
| Country | Information |
| United States |
U.S. Customs Service 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20229 Tel: 877-287-8867 http://www.customs.gov |
| United Kingdom |
HM Customs & Excise Tel: 0845-010-9000 http://www.hmce.gov.uk |
| Canada |
Canada Border Services Agency Tel: 800-461-9999 http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-e.html |
| France |
Embassy of France in the United States 4101 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007 Tel: 202-944-6375 http://ambafrance-us.org/intheus/customs/index.asp |
| Netherlands |
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington, D.C. 4200 Linnean Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-244-5300 http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/homepage.asp |
| Australia |
Australian Customs Service Tel: 1-300-363-263 http://www.customs.gov.au |
| New Zealand |
New Zealand Customs Service Tel: 04-473-6099 http://www.customs.govt.nz |
Although there are no strict customs rules when entering Saba, travelers should keep track of their purchases and take seriously laws governing the importation and exportation of certain items.