Introduction
The Government of Sint Maarten recently approved the amendment of the
National Ordinance on the reporting obligation of cross-border money transports to include precious metals, jewelry and rare objects of high value. The threshold amount for the reporting obligation of cross-border money transports has been simultaneously increased from NAƒ 20.000 to NAƒ 25.000. The threshold amount of NAƒ 25.000 applies to each category separately, being precious metals, jewelry and rare objects of high value.
The detail information on the amendment that may be applicable to you.
The reporting obligation
Persons entering or leaving Sint Maarten shall be under the obligation to report money, precious metal, jewelry and rare objects of high value which
they carry with them, with each category having a value of NAƒ 25.000 or
more, to Customs officials. This reporting obligation also applies to persons who are demonstrably traveling together and who jointly carry with them the mentioned money and categories of objects with a value of NAƒ 25.000 or more.
The reporting is done by filling out a declaration form that is signed by the reporter. This form is available at the Customs offices at the airport and seaports.
Persons who travel together are individually obligated to report. When to report
Persons entering Sint Maarten via the airport must report no later than at
the time when the Customs officials may carry out an inspection of the luggage brought by travelers and at least before entering the inspection
zone. If no Customs official is present there, the report must be made to the
nearest Customs official immediately after passing.
Persons entering via any other ports should immediately report to the nearest Customs official at the time of entry.
Persons who leave Sint Maarten must report no later than at the time when the Immigration official may carry out a passport inspection or, if no passport inspection takes place, no later than at the time when the Customs
official may carry out an inspection of the luggage brought by the traveler. If no Customs official is present, the report must be made to the nearest Customs official prior to passing.
In general, when no Customs officials are present, then the report must be made to the Immigration official present.
Failure to comply may lead to confiscation of prosecution.
Implementation of the legislation
In connection with the aforementioned amendment of the Ordinance, it was decided to start with a period of information sharing to the public, of 14 days after the publication date of this bulletin, immediately followed by a warning period of 30 days for non-compliance with the stipulations of the National Ordinance reporting obligation of cross-border money transports. After this introduction period, the legislation shall be fully enforced.
Definition of the categories
Hereafter follows a definition of the various mentioned categories:
Money: domestic and foreign banknotes, coins and coin notes in circulation as payment methods, as well as tradable bearer instruments; for example, checks, promissory notes, and payment orders;
Precious metals: non-rusting metals, including gold and silver;
Jewelry: objects made out of precious metals, containing (an) encased gemstone(s), pearl(s) or another attribute (s) with which one adorns oneself;
Other objects of high value: rare, transportable, movable objects that have a high social value.
For more information, you can contact Customs Sint Maarten at Address: E.C. Richardson Street 11B
Phone : +1 721 542 1000 or +1 721 542 1008
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The amended National Ordinance on the reporting obligation of cross-border money transports took effect on July 30th, 2019.
