If you've flown abroad, you'll be familiar with the mandatory immigration and customs forms that you must fill out upon departure and return to Belize.

Well, it's gone digital now and you can do it all online, rather than try to fill out the tiny forms.

The new online departure and arrival immigration and customs declaration system went live today - and will be in use as of Sunday December first. It allows travelers to complete and submit the required immigration and customs information in advance through a web portal that, we found, is fairly simple to navigate.

There will be a three-month phased introduction before the process goes fully online. During that phase, both printed and digital forms will be accepted.

A release says, quote, "The public is encouraged to utilize the digital option and embrace the transition, as the system is fine-tuned to deliver an efficient and seamless experience."

At its launch, it's only going to be used at the Phillip Goldson International but in the second phase, it will be extended to all ports of entry.

The border management department expects that "as the peak tourism season approaches, the transition will significantly reduce and eventually eliminate the need for paper forms, ensuring faster and more convenient immigration and customs processing for all travelers." You can find the link to the form on our web page.