In a significant policy shift, the Belizean government through its Ministry of Home Affairs and Enterprise has authorized domestic access to the Corozal Free Zone starting December 23, 2025. This landmark decision will permit Belizean citizens to enter the commercially designated area for retail shopping purposes for the first time.
The newly implemented access framework establishes specific purchasing guidelines. While shoppers may acquire general retail merchandise, stringent prohibitions apply to alcoholic beverages, distilled spirits, and tobacco products. The ministry emphasized that these restrictions are designed to maintain regulatory control while expanding consumer opportunities.
Critical to the arrangement is the customs protocol: all merchandise obtained within the Free Zone will be subject to standard import duties and taxation upon re-entry into Belize’s customs territory. Government officials characterize this measure as a balanced approach—granting controlled public access while ensuring full adherence to national revenue collection systems and trade regulations.
The Corozal Free Zone, located near the northern border with Mexico, has traditionally functioned as an international commercial hub primarily serving foreign visitors and export-oriented businesses. This policy modification represents a substantial evolution in its operational paradigm, potentially reshaping regional retail dynamics and consumer access patterns within Belize.