Grenada

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Grenada, 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 Grenada, 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 Grenada. 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. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Grenada at 52 out of 100 (53rd 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 GRENADA may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES IN GRENADA ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE ENFORCING ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND QUARATINE MEASURES FOR TRAVELERS FROM ALL COUNTRIES, WITHOUT VARIATION, THROUGH DECEMBER TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19). EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, ALL TRAVELERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ONLINE APPLICATION TO RECEIVE A PURE SAFE TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION CERTIFICATE, WHICH SHOULD BE PRESENTED AT THE AIRPORT WHEN ENTERING GRENADA. THIS APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE. TRAVELERS WILL STILL BE SUBJECT TO ADVANCE HEALTH SCREENINGS UPON ARRIVAL, EVEN WITH THE APPROVED AUTHORIZATION. TRAVELERS OVER THE AGE OF FIVE (5) MUST HAVE A NEGATIVE PCR TEST WITHIN SEVEN DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL. VISITORS MUST HAVE TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE THAT COVERS COVID-19 RELATED ILLNESSES,.  THE GRENADIAN GOVERNMENT COULD REIMPOSE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS OR TIGHTEN, EASE, OR OTHERWISE AMEND THE EXISTING TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS WITH LITTLE TO NO NOTICE, DEPENDING ON DISEASE ACTIVITY OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

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 Grenada 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.

The threat of civil unrest in Grenada is low. Protests occasionally occur in Grenada but seldom devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to labor disputes or government policies. Protests are most common in St. George's and occasionally cause minor transportation delays.

Criminal activity is prevalent throughout the island, particularly in isolated areas. Nonviolent crime poses a low threat to foreign nationals and locals and is widespread throughout the island. Thieves typically target purses, bags, wallets, smartphones, travel documents, and other electronic devices. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially near hotels, remote beaches, and restaurants. Foreign nationals are typically targeted by criminals due to their perceived wealth. 

Crimes against foreign nationals and locals are more likely to escalate if at night or if the victim attempts to resist. Criminals may act alone or in pairs. 

Scams pose a low threat to foreign nationals, locals, and businesses in Grenada. 

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Grenada is low; foreign nationals are sometimes targeted by criminals. Violent crime, including armed robbery and rape, poses the greatest threat in isolated areas near beaches and tourist hotels. This may be due to the presence of foreign visitors, whom criminals may assume are carrying valuables or large amounts of cash.  Criminals in Grenada 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 and locals in Grenada. Verbal harassment, cat calling, and sexual harassment is known to occur. Women walking alone, especially at night, are sometimes verbally harassed. The threat of a physical attack moderate, as sexual assault is known to occur.

Though anti-LGBT violence is not widely reported in Grenada, the LGBT community could face a low-to-moderate threat of harassment from locals or police. 

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 possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
  • If you use foul language in the presence of a police officer, you may be arrested and prosecuted.
  • Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods. These are illegal in the United States, and you may also be breaking local law.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., 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:Grenadian law criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activities between men, with potential penalties of 10 years’ imprisonment. Prosecutions based on these laws are rare. Grenadian society is generally intolerant of same-sex sexual conduct.