Barbados

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Barbados, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial 

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS 

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws 

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2. 

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Barbados, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120. 

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The tax implications for operating in Barbados may be found at the Internal Revenue Service’s United States-Barbados Income Tax Convention. For further clarification, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance. 

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Barbados at 68 out of 100 (25th out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e.  relatively clean).

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.   

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations

Articles

The US State Department's page on BARBADOS may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3, OFFICIALS IN BARBADOS WILL AMEND TRAVELER PROTOCOLS THAT FORM PART OF THE ISLAND'S CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) REOPENING PLAN. TRAVELERS WILL STILL FACE THE SAME PROTOCOLS BASED ON ANY COUNTRY'S RISK LEVEL THAT THEY HAD TRAVELED TO OR TRANSITIONED THROUGH WITHIN 21 DAYS BEFORE THEY ARRIVED IN BARBADOS. HOWEVER, FROM NOVEMBER 3, THE LIST OF HIGH - AND MEDIUM-RISK COUNTRY AND TERRITORY CLASSIFICATIONS WILL BE EXPANDED.  ALL TRAVELERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACEMASKS AT THE AIRPORT. HEALTH SCREENINGS AND QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS VARY FOR TRAVELERS, DEPENDING ON THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.

If you are traveling to Barbados on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic

Protests rarely occur in Barbados and seldom devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to labor disputes. Protests are most common in Bridgetown and occasionally cause minor transportation delays.

Crime generally poses a moderate threat in Barbados. Petty crime is an ever-present threat globally, but in Barbados, other criminal threats include armed robbery and rape. Criminal activity is most prevalent in Crab Hill, St. Lucy and the Ivy, and St. Michael.

The capabilities and responsiveness of security services in Barbados are generally good. Foreign nationals in Barbados should liaise with their local embassy to report crimes. Police officers are typically unable foreign languages. 

Barbados is generally economically, politically, and socially stable.   

Barbados is generally moderately impacted by regional developments such as economic shifts and environmental concerns, and its reliance upon the highly changeable tourism industry.

Barbados has poor medical infrastructure. This assessment is based on the number of available hospital beds, licensed and trained physicians and support staff, advanced diagnostic capabilities, and other global data. Underfunded systems, underpaid staff, and medical supply concerns challenge the medical infrastructure of Barbados.

Travelers and individuals planning for extended stay in Barbados should have health insurance that is valid and readily accepted. Cash payment is often required at the time services are rendered, and care may vary widely depending on location and facility. Additionally, medical evacuation insurance is strongly encouraged for any travel or assignment abroad, as costs for medical repatriation may be substantial.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs or firearms are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

It is illegal, even for children, to wear camouflage clothing or carry items made with camouflage material.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. 

Firearms: Do not enter Barbados with firearms or ammunition without prior express consent from the Barbados government. 

LGBTI Travelers: Same-sex sexual relations, even when consensual, are criminalized in Barbados. Although this law is rarely enforced, potential penalties include life imprisonment.