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Bahamas offers duty-free shopping, colorful tropical souvenirs and other special purchases like china, cutlery, leather, fabrics, spirits from Britain, Scandinavian glass and silver, Swiss watches, German and Japanese cameras and French perfume. Special purchases include china, cutlery, leather, fabrics, spirits from Britain, Scandinavian glass and silver, Swiss watches, German and Japanese cameras and French perfume. |
Local products include all types of straw artifacts, sea-shell jewelry and woodcarvings. In a country where the average temperature is around 80, not many people would expect to find an abundance of fine cashmere sweaters, much less incredible bargains on them.
But wander into your average Bahamian retail store, and there they are, lining the racks, along with an astonishingly cheap assortment of other duty-free luxury items from all around the globe. Once you discover the great deals, you might find yourself coming back just for the shopping.
Among the best bargains in the islands are watches, jewelry, clocks, china, crystal, leather goods, fine linens, and cameras. A key to finding the best bargains is to look for shops that post a pink flamingo decal on their doors or windows. This signifies that they have met strict government guidelines, and that all their brands are authentic.
Along with the international products, you can also find great bargains on local goods, such as Bahamian weavings, jewelry, and crafts.
Bring an appetite for authenticity. Today’s Bahamians continue the tradition of early island natives by using local resources to create distinct items that reflect their heritage. Straw markets reveal foods, spices, ceramics, crafts, art, and music.
| Festival Place, located on Prince George Wharf, was designed by award-winning Bahamian architect, Jackson Burnside. Its vibrant, colorful design reflects the architectural style of a Bahamian village and evokes a time when Bahamian artisans and crafts persons practiced their art and trade in small island communities. |  |
The Welcome Center provides a truly Bahamian experience and the opportunity for visitors to purchase quality, authentic Bahamian-made souvenirs and craft items. With over 45 artisans and trade persons, visitors and patrons can sip a cup of Bahamian-blended tea while they wait for the finishing touches to be placed on a special straw bag, a quilt, or a painting by a Bahamian artist. They can munch on Bahamian sweets and treats, like coconut and pineapple tarts, as they stroll through walkways and lanes named after magical and inviting towns in the islands: Settlers Way, Andros Avenue, Queens Highway and Barratarre Way.
Duty Free
Effective January 1, 1992, the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas abolished all import duties on 11 categories of items. Perfumes and Fragrances, Crystal, Leather Goods, Jewelry, Fine Linens and Tablecloths, Watches and Clocks, Photographic Equipment, China, Binoculars, and Telescopes are all duty free. Savings on these items are between 25% - 50% below US prices.
