WILLEMSTAD - The maximum amount that tourists are allowed to spend in the Free Zone has been increased. Visitors can now spend up to $500 while shopping. Purchases may be taken immediately.
The former law gave tourists who wanted to shop in the Free Zones and immediately leave with their merchandise the opportunity to make purchases for as little as $100. Other zones in the region have long abolished similar purchase limits for tourists.
Curaçao Industrial and International Trade Development Company N.V. (CURINDE) recently submitted a request to increase the maximum amount tourists are allowed to spend on merchandise. Minister Javier Silvania of Finance and Minister Ruisandro Cijntje of Economic Development approved the request.
The increase in the maximum amount allowed when shopping is in line with the demand among tourists who would like to discover what the Free Zones have to offer. The only requirement is that the tourist may only shop once during the stay on the island up to an amount of 500 dollars.