Why should you consider Turks and Caicos Shopping? No Taxes.
During your next vacation to this delightful archipelago in the Caribbean, you can make some guilt-free purchases and support the local economy without paying sales and luxury taxes! Many locations even advertise their duty-free prices to American and Canadian visitors. The Grace Bay side of Providenciales has numerous boutiques at Caicos Café Plaza, La Petite Place, Regent Village and The Saltmills. The main shopping centers on the island are Ports of Call, Market Place, and Central Square.
If your stay in Turks and Caicos exceeds two days and you’re a U.S. citizen, you can return home with purchases valued up to $800 per person and not pay duties. If you stay less than 48 hours, you can return with $200 worth of duty-free purchases per traveler.
The rules for Canadians differ slightly. After a seven-day vacation they can return with duty-free purchases of up to $750 per person, and $400 per person after a two-day excursion. But be sure to check with customs to confirm because these numbers could change at any time.
Want to find unique island art? Local crafts? Caribbean fashion? Here are suggestions for your next Turks and Caicos shopping excursion.
Most stores offer arts and crafts with island and nature themes. Shoppers can find original art at the The Bamboo Art Gallery, located at Caicos Café Plaza and open five days a week. For household décor or fashion items, check out Shell Shack on Grand Turks. Greensleeves in Central Square sells unique local cottage crafts and offers a framing service for Turks and Caicos art and prints.
Daphne’s Native Gift Shop in South Caicos, Bottle Creek in North Caicos, and the Middle Caicos Cooperative on, you guessed it, Middle Caicos, showcase handmade crafts such as jewelry, bags, hats, and paintings. Royal Jewels offers a wide selection of perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, watches, leather goods, and crystal.
If you find yourself at Caicos Café Plaza, you should visit Codaacos Boutique for European resort wear. Nearby, Maison Creole sells Haitian crafts, painting, and antique furniture, along with other Caribbean crafts and baskets from South Africa.
Every visitor to Turks and Caicos will need food, drinks, and toiletries-sundries. Listed below are some places to find these vital items. Graceway IGA on Providenciales is the premier supermarket for all your food, drink, and necessities.
Other grocery stores include Cox Lewis and Seaview Dry Goods Store on Stubbs Road, Island Pride Supermarket in Downtown Providenciales, Quality Supermarket on Leeward Highway, and Sarah’s Shopping Center on Frith Street Back Salina.
For local books, newspapers, and travel guides, try the Unicorn Bookstore in the downtown Market Place. This great little shop has a good selection of local history books, guides, and maps, in addition to newspapers, magazines, and children’s books.
What’s a vacation without a little booze and tobacco? If you want to purchase some fine wine or liquor, visit Discount Liquors and Wine Cellar where you can also find beer, soda, and juices. Shalimar specializes in Cuban, Dominican, Jamaican cigars, and Lucayan rum, but you may also be interested in locally crafted dolls, t-shirts, and other mementos.
In summary, there’s plenty of shopping in Turks and Caicos to keep you busy.