Belize

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Belize, 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 Belize, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120. 

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The United States does not have a tax treaty with Belize. For more information about double taxation issues, 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. 

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 BELIZE may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AS OF OCTOBER 21, AUTHORITIES IN BELIZE HAVE RELAXED THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNAL MOVEMENTS FOR TRAVELERS, AS PART OF THE NATION'S ONGOING CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) RECOVERY PLAN. FOREIGN NATIONALS INTENDING TO VISIT BELIZE NO LONGER NEED TO APPLY TO BE PERMITTED ENTRY; HOWEVER, OTHER REVISED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS ARE STILL IN PLACE. ALL RESIDENT AND NONRESIDENT ARRIVING PASSENGERS MUST DOWNLOAD AND FILL IN THEIR DETAILS ON THE BELIZE HEALTH MOBILE APPLICATION WITHIN 72 HOURS BEFORE TRAVEL.  TRAVELERS MUST PRESENT A NEGATIVE COVID-19 PCR TEST ON ENTRY, TAKEN WITHIN 72 HOURS BEFORE BOARDING, OR TAKE A TEST AT THE AIRPORT UPON ARRIVAL, AT THE TRAVELER'S EXPENSE. TRAVELERS MAY BE RANDOMLY SELECTED FOR A SECOND TEST UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT. ANY TRAVELER TESTING POSITIVE MUST COMPLETE A 14-DAY QUARANTINE AT A GOVERNMENT-APPROVED QUARANTINE HOTEL. ALL PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF FIVE (5) MUST WEAR PROTECTIVE FACEMASKS AT ALL TIMES, EXCEPT WHILE IN PRIVATE RESIDENCE, EXERCISING OR ENGAGED IN SPORTING ACTIVITIES. GATHERINGS OF OVER TEN (10) PEOPLE ARE PROHIBITED AND ALL PERSONS ARE REQUIRED TO ADHERE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING DIRECTIVES.

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 Belize 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 occur occasionally in Belize but seldom devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to economic conditions and social issues. Protests are most common in Belize City and Belmopan, and occasionally cause minor transport delays.

Crime generally poses a high threat in Belize. Criminal activity is most prevalent in Belize City, especially the southwestern part of the city and Belmopan. Nonviolent crime poses a high threat to foreign nationals and expatriates, especially in Belize City and Belmopan, as well as in tourist locations along the coast. Thieves typically target purses, bags, wallets, smart phones, and other electronic devices. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially at major tourist attractions, on buses, while in unregulated taxis or cars, in restaurants or bars, outside of ATMs/banks, and while walking in isolated areas. "Snatch-and-grab" thefts involving thieves on motorbikes and mopeds are common. Foreign nationals and expatriates are typically targeted because of their perceived wealth and unfamiliarity with the area. Crime generally increases during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Belize is high; however, foreign nationals are rarely targeted by criminals. Violent crime, including homicide and assault, poses the greatest threat in Belize City, especially the southwestern part of the city, and Belmopan; this may be due to a high concentration of low-income communities, drug users, and drug trafficking organizations. Criminals in Belize typically do not hesitate to use force if a victim resists; do not resist. 

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination poses a moderate threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff in Belize. Verbal and sexual harassment affect locals more than foreigners and expatriates. Women walking alone are sometimes verbally harassed; the threat of a physical attack is much lower than a verbal one, but assault cannot be ruled out, especially at night and in isolated areas. 

Anti-LGBT violence does not systemically occur in Belize; same-sex couples will generally only attract stares.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.  Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.

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

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Belgium.