On 13 September 2011, the Bahamas deposited with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System).
Considering that more than 98 % of international merchandise trade is classified in terms of the Harmonized System, the World Customs Organization is pleased to welcome the Bahamas as the 140th Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention and looks forward to Bahamas’ active participation with respect to Harmonized System matters.
Bahamas has been a Member of the World Customs Organization since 16 August 1974. Bahamas is a chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba. Its principal export commodities are mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables. The country’s main import commodities are machinery and transport equipment, manufactured products, chemicals, mineral fuels, food and live animals.
The Harmonized System Convention will enter into force in the Bahamas on 3 October 2011.