Includes what a company needs to know to take advantage of e-commerce in the local market and, reputable, prominent B2B websites.
Belize is developing eCommerce sales channels. The eCommerce environment is favorable given the high rate of mobile connectivity (94.7 percent) and social media penetration (69.6 percent) as of January 2022. Most of the population has mobile connectivity with access to broadband 3G or 4G coverage. Social media, particularly Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin are now widely used as e-commerce platforms.
In Belize, eCommerce revenues were estimated at US $1.8 million in 2020, with electronic and media, and fashion as the primary activities.
Legal & Regulatory
The Government of Belize passed several pieces of legislation in 2021 that relate to digital/ecommerce environment. Major laws enacted or amended are generally available in the National Assembly’s website at https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/, and include
- Data Protection Act, 2021
- Electronic Evidence Bill, 2021
- Electronic Transactions Act, 2021
- Electronic Transfer of Funds Crime Act, 2021
- Patents (Amendment) Act, 2021
- Public Sector Data Sharing Act, 2021
Consumer Behavior
Consumer goods are the most popular products purchased online from the United States and the rest of the world. A key advantage to purchasing online from the United States is the proximity to the American market, along with reliable modes of transportation and delivery of goods. Online purchases from the United States are commonplace with little to no barriers. Foreign online purchases are charged stamp duties and foreign exchange. This is regulated by the Central Bank and charged to customer’s credit card at the time of the purchase.
Digital Marketing & Social Media
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hosted a “Made In Belize” virtual trade show and B2B event in June 2021 to showcase locally made products and services. In November 2021, the Belize Tourism Board hosted its first virtual travel expo, “Adventure + Sustainability” that offered a series of B2B virtual travel expos to connect travel advisors with hotels, tour operators, transportation companies, and other tourism service providers with a view of marketing Belize as a tourism destination.
Local service providers overview
Belize On (https://belizeon.bz) was launched in 2019 as the country’s first e-commerce platform.