Bahamas

Possession or use of illegal drugs including cocaine and ecstasy is a criminal offense; all persons 16+ are tried as adults and arrests happen even for small quantities.

Prison time; all persons 16+ tried as adults; expect at least one night in custody if arrested.

Verified Jul 17, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in the Bahamas. Despite widely reported reform, the parts of the Cannabis Act 2024 that would decriminalise possession and open medical and religious access were never brought into force, and the amendment that would have removed cannabis from the Dangerous Drugs Act has never commenced. Possession is still an offence under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Ch. 228), a US medical card or prescription makes no difference, and being found with two or more packets is presumed to be possession with intent to supply. You can also be prosecuted over drugs that are not yours: where a dangerous drug is found kept in a place, section 29(6) makes the occupier or owner of that place guilty unless they can prove it was deposited there without their knowledge or consent.

On summary conviction: a fine of $50,000 or 5 to 7 years' imprisonment, or both, plus forfeiture of property involved in the offence (Dangerous Drugs Act s.29(2)). On conviction on information: a fine of $125,000 or 10 years, or both. Possession with intent to supply: up to 30 years and a $500,000 fine, with a higher minimum if the offence occurs within one mile of a school (s.22). Two or more packets are presumed to be held for supply. Where the quantity of Indian hemp exceeds ten pounds, the maximum term for possession with intent to supply becomes life imprisonment (s.22(8)(a)). A court must forfeit any personal property used in or in connection with an offence even if nobody is convicted, and any real property once any person is convicted (s.33).

Verified Sep 17, 2026

Confirm your prescription medication is legal with the government of the Bahamas, and carry it in original packaging with your doctor's prescription.

Verified Jul 17, 2026

Firearms and ammunition are strictly illegal in the Bahamas — including small quantities brought by mistake in carry-on — and laws are enforced even at the airport on departure.

Arrest, jail time, and fines.

Verified Jul 17, 2026

Declare currency or negotiable instruments of USD 10,000 or more on both entry and exit; it is also illegal to leave The Bahamas with more than BSD 200 in local currency.

Verified Jul 17, 2026

Declare your vape gear at Bahamian customs. The traveller tobacco allowance is written only as 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or one pound of tobacco - e-liquid and vape devices are not in it, so spare pods and sealed devices fall under the general USD 100 "other articles" limit and are taxable above it. Nicotine inhalation products sit in their own tariff heading at a 300% excise rate. Your used personal device and worn personal effects enter free as baggage. No Bahamian law we could find names vaping, e-cigarettes or e-liquid, and vapes are not on the customs prohibited or restricted list - but that is an absence, not a permission, so declare it and ask rather than assume.

No vape-specific penalty is published in these sources and none is invented here. The 300% figure is a rate of EXCISE DUTY, not a fine. The only penalty figure actually read is a fine of one hundred dollars on summary conviction under rule 3(2) of S.I. 129/1976 - and that is for importing or selling CIGARETTES in packages without a health-hazard warning, not for anything to do with vaping. Penalties under the Customs Management Act for false declaration or non-declaration were not examined this run. Excise rates are commonly adjusted each budget by separate gazetted Order, so confirm the 300% rate before relying on it.

Verified Sep 9, 2026

The Bahamas gives every arriving adult 200 cigarettes duty-free - or 50 cigars, or one pound of tobacco by weight. One of the three, not all three. Visitors also get a separate $100 exemption on other dutiable goods.

No penalty is documented for an individual traveller exceeding the tobacco allowance - above the exemption, "the necessary custom duties and taxes will be applicable." (The forfeiture-and-fines language on the same FAQ concerns FOOD PRODUCTS, not tobacco, and is not carried across here.)

Verified Aug 27, 2026

Driving is on the left-hand side in The Bahamas; expect severe congestion in Nassau, frequently aggressive or careless drivers, and common accidents involving pedestrians on New Providence Island.

Verified Jul 17, 2026

Same-sex sexual relations are legal in the Bahamas with no restrictions on relations or LGB events; the legal age for same-sex relations is 18.

Verified Jul 17, 2026