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Shopping
Shopping in Barbados
Barbados is well known throughout the Caribbean for its tax-free concessions, where you can get savings from about 30% - 50% compared to the price in Europe and North America. Here you can find both local and international goods to suit all lifestyles. You can indulge in some of the finest gems around the world from such locations as Columbian Emeralds, Little Switzerland, Diamonds International, Heather Harrington Jones and The Royal Shop to name a few. You can also find some of the world's finest china, crystal and electronic items, including top camera brands from around the world. Of course who could forget the great selection of liquors available,; both local and international.
Visitors are able to get many of their purchases duty-free upon producing their passport and air ticket. While shopping in Barbados, be sure to notice that some items are tagged with three different prices. “LP BDS$” means local price in Barbados dollars, “DF BDS$” means duty-free price in Barbados dollars and “DF US$” means duty-free price in US dollars. (Any alcohol and tobacco bought duty-free are sent to the airport or port for collection on departure.) Duty-free products are those without an importation tax which allows vendors to offer shopper’s more value for their money with discounted prices. Many items can be bought for up to 30% to 50% lower than European and North American prices although prices for some goods can tend to be on the high side. A receipt will be printed in triplicate so that the merchant has one copy and you get two; one of which is to be deposited into a box at the airport when you are leaving.
There are lots of great local buys as well including rum and rum products - a bajan's favourite; some of the best rums in the world can be bought right here. Enjoy some Mount Gay rum, Barbados' oldest rum. You can also purchase locally designed T-shirts, prints (batik) and mahogany carving, basketry, coral and shell jewelry,
Most shopping is concentrated along the south and west coasts, particularly in Bridgetown where duty-free and local product shops engulf Broad Street, but craft houses and charming local shops are scattered all over the island.
Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0830-1600 (supermarkets are open longer on Saturdays).
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