Expert: Drew Wilmoth - 7/16/2007

Question
I just purchased a condo. It is well furnished but needs a few things plus a few future upgrades. New residents can bring used items in free for the first six months, but I am a not residing in Cayman, just using the property as a vacation residence. Does the 6 - month transfer apply to me as well?
How much can my wife I bring with us each visit?

Answer
The six month exemption is only for persons who are making a bona fide change of residence for a period of one year or more.  During the first six months of residence, such persons may import most used household goods duty free.

Whether you qualify as a new "resident" for the purposes of the duty exemption would presumably depend upon your immigration status.  If you enter the country on a tourist visa, I do not believe that you would qualify.  However if your immigration status is as a permanent resident with or without the right to work, you may qualify.  Your intent to reside in Cayman would be a significant factor in making a determination.

For each overseas trip, residents of the Cayman Islands may bring in duty free CI$350 (US$417) per person of items which would normally be subject to duty.

Tourists generally cannot import items duty free which they do not intend to re-export upon their departure from Cayman.

Based upon your query, I would assume that you do not qualify for the new resident exemption, and you must declare and pay duty on the full value of all goods which you import for the purposes of furnishing your condo.