On April 2, 2026, Belizean customs enforcement authorities executed a seizure of a private aircraft in Belize City, taking possession of a 1980 Beech F90 owned by American businessman Michael Feinstein over a clear violation of the country’s temporary import regulations.
The Belize Customs and Excise Department confirmed that the aircraft entered the nation under a temporary import agreement, a regulatory framework designed to allow foreign-owned aircraft to remain in Belize for an initial period of six months, with the option to apply for a single extension of up to one additional year. The rules governing this program leave no ambiguity for aircraft owners: once the approved temporary stay expires, the owner must either complete the required customs processes by paying all applicable import duties and taxes to convert the status to a permanent import, or arrange to export the aircraft out of Belizean jurisdiction immediately.
In this instance, neither requirement was met by Feinstein. His temporary import permit lapsed without resolution, the financial bond posted to cover potential duty payments was not renewed by the deadline, and no steps were taken to move the aircraft out of the country. In response, the Belize City Enforcement Unit launched the enforcement action, removing the aircraft from active use at the airport and placing it under official customs custody. The department emphasized that the seizure was a routine enforcement of existing import regulations, applied consistently to all aircraft owners operating under temporary import status in the country.