Turks and Caicos Islands

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Turks and Caicos Islands, 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 Turks and Caicos Islands, 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 Turks and Caicos Islands. 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 page for information on TURKS and CAICOS can be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES IN TURKS AND CAICOS HAVE EXTENDED ONGOING CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) RESTRICTIONS WITH SOME REVISIONS THROUGH NOVEMBER 30. NIGHTLY CURFEW WILL BE ENFORCED THROUGH 0001-0500 ACROSS ALL ISLANDS. TRAVELERS ARRIVING ON THE ISLAND PAST THE START OF THE CURFEW ARE EXEMPT. TURKS AND CAICOS REOPENED THE TERRITORY'S AIRPORTS TO REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TRANSPORT JULY 22; HOWEVER, OFFICIALS HAVE EXTENDED THE CRUISE CENTER'S CLOSURE UNTIL JANUARY 2021. ALL ARRIVING NONRESIDENT FOREIGN NATIONALS, RETURNING LEGAL RESIDENTS, AND CITIZENS OVER THE AGE OF 10 MUST OBTAIN PRE-AUTHORIZATION BY PROVIDING A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST TAKEN WITHIN FIVE DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL, PROOF OF MEDICAL INSURANCE AND A COMPLETED HEALTH SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE. EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 2, OFFICIALS HAVE LIFTED ALL RESTRICTIONS ON INTER-ISLAND TRAVEL. DOMESTIC TRAVELERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO TEMPERATURE HEALTH CHECKS.

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 Turks and Caicos Islands 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

Drinking water may be unsafe in the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially in rural areas. Use only bottled, boiled, or otherwise purified water for drinking and cooking. Do not use ice cubes made from unpurified water sources. Eat only thoroughly cooked food served hot, or fruits and vegetables that you have cleaned and peeled; avoid salads. Consume only pasteurized milk and dairy products, or use powdered or canned milk and cured cheeses. Avoid street vendors and unregulated food establishments.  

The threat of civil unrest in the Turks and Caicos Islands is minimal. Protests rarely occur in the Turks and Caicos Islands and seldom devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to labor disputes, environmental issues, or government policies. Protests are most common on Grand Turk and occasionally cause minor transportation delays.   

The threat of kidnapping in the Turks and Caicos is minimal; kidnappers are more likely to target locals. The most common type of abduction in the Turks and Caicos is likely child abduction. Victims are usually released unharmed and relatively quickly.

The threat of terrorism is minimal in Turks and Caicos. Authorities have not introduced ratings based on an official national terror threat level system. Foreign governments have not issued warnings regarding terror threats in the country. No specific threats exist, and Turks and Caicos is not currently considered a potential target.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Furthermore, some offenses 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 in Nassau and the U.S. Consular Agency in Providenciales immediately. 

Penalties for possessing, using or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and/or heavy fines.

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