Logistics services in Belize.

Belize logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

Logistics services in Belize connect ocean, air, and road transport. Containers move mainly through the seaports of Belize City and Big Creek on the Caribbean coast, supported by a coastline of about 386 km.

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport near Belize City anchors scheduled air services, backed by a total of about 27 airports and airstrips and 8 with scheduled flights. International road freight links to Guatemala over about 266 km of border and to Mexico over about 276 km, feeding cargo to and from the ports and airports.

Freight forwarders in Belize should be comfortable coordinating through the seaports of Belize City and Big Creek and Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. With container throughput of about 21,300 TEU and an LSCI of 7.61, shippers benefit from forwarders familiar with smaller markets and connecting services.

Given export partners such as the USA, UK, Spain, Guatemala, and Portugal, and import partners led by the USA, China, Guatemala, Mexico, and Costa Rica, it helps to choose a partner with experience on these lanes. Belize is a WTO member and aligns with WCO standards, so a forwarder or broker that understands applied tariffs of about 18 percent and customs procedures can reduce delays, especially where customs performance trails the world median LPI customs score of 2.6.

FCL and LCL shipping from and to Belize moves mainly through the ports of Belize City and Big Creek. Belize City is a small port with about 9.4 m cargo pier depth and rail access in the port area, handling most scheduled container services.

The country handled about 21,300 TEU in 2023 and ranks between 156th and 168th worldwide for container volume, with an LSCI of 7.61. Major container lines with offices in Belize City include APL, CMA CGM, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, and ZIM, which support both FCL and LCL options on regional and deep-sea trades.

Air freight in Belize centers on Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), supported by regional airports such as Caye Caulker (CUK), Caye Chapel (CYC), Corozal (CZH), and Dangriga (DGA). There are about 27 airports overall, with scheduled services at 8 of them.

Air cargo volume reached about 3.5 million tonne-km in 2023. Given export goods including raw sugar, bananas, fish, shellfish, and refined petroleum, air freight is most often used for higher-value, time-sensitive, or lightweight items within this trade mix and for imports like orthopedic appliances and garments.

Rail and road freight in Belize supports connections between ports, airports, and neighboring countries. Belize City port has rail in the port area, used for cargo connections at the terminal.

International road services use border crossings into Guatemala and Mexico, over land borders of about 266 km and 276 km respectively. These corridors feed export and import flows with partners such as Guatemala and Mexico and connect inland production or consumption areas to Belize City, Big Creek, and Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport.

Customs clearance in Belize operates under WTO and WCO frameworks, with WCO membership since 2008. The average applied tariff is about 18 percent, which shapes landed cost calculations for importers.

Logistics performance on customs is close to the world median, with the global median LPI customs score at 2.6. Shippers should ensure accurate commercial invoices, packing lists, and transport documents, and work with brokers familiar with Belize’s tariff schedules and main trade partners, including the USA, UK, Spain, Guatemala, and Portugal for exports and the USA, China, Guatemala, Mexico, and Costa Rica for imports.