We wanted to make our guests aware of the following conch exportation law here in the Turks & Caicos Islands:
“No person shall export conch during the period commencing on the fifteenth day of July and extending to and including the fifteenth day of October in each year.”
This means that tourists are not able to bring home conch shells either found or purchased here in the Turks & Caicos Islands during the conch closed season of July 15th through October 15th. However, free permits are granted for tourists to take up to 3 conch shells out of the country during conch open season (from October 16th through July 14th) and can be obtained from the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources.
Please note that this law is being strictly enforced by our airport security and environmental protection agencies. The Turks & Caicos Islands is a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Treaty, which restricts the export of endangered species out of the country, including conch shells. This regulation is ultimately to prevent an overfishing of our conch and to help ensure this endangered species continues to thrive around our islands for many years to come.
Thank you for your understanding and for your support protecting our Caicos Conch during our current closed season!
For general information about bringing goods into or out of the Turks & Caicos Islands, visit: http://www.visittci.com/getting-here/customs-allowances
