Shipping to the Caribbean: Costs, Services, and Key Considerations

The Caribbean, a region of over 700 islands and 30 million people, is a vibrant market for imports like electronics, vehicles, and consumer goods, driven by tourism and trade. Key destinations include Jamaica, Haiti, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Barbados. Users searching for “shipping to the Caribbean” seek insights on costs, reliable providers, and navigating diverse customs regulations and logistical challenges. This guide explores sea and air freight options from major origins (US, China, Europe), includes a comparison table, and offers tips for efficient, cost-effective shipping across the Caribbean, addressing issues like port congestion, customs delays, and seasonal factors.

Shipping Options to the Caribbean

Shipping to the Caribbean primarily involves sea freight and air freight, with no direct land freight due to the region’s island geography. Sea freight includes Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), and Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) for vehicles or oversized cargo. Air freight covers bulk air cargo and small parcel express services. Costs and transit times vary by island due to port infrastructure and distance. Below, we outline options for key destinations.

Sea Freight: Cost-Effective for Large Shipments

Sea freight is ideal for bulk or heavy cargo, with major ports like Kingston (Jamaica), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), Oranjestad (Aruba), Nassau (Bahamas), and Bridgetown (Barbados) handling most traffic.

Full Container Load (FCL)

FCL offers exclusive use of a 20-foot (33.2 cubic meters) or 40-foot (67.7 cubic meters) container, suitable for shipments filling at least 50–60% of a container. From the US (Miami) to Kingston, a 40-foot FCL costs $2,000–$3,500 (7–10 days); to Port-au-Prince, $2,400–$3,200 (7–12 days); to Oranjestad, $2,000–$3,000 (7–12 days), per Latin American Cargo. From China (Shanghai), costs range from $2,500–$4,500 (20–40 days) across these ports. European ports like Rotterdam charge $3,500–$6,500 (18–35 days).

Less than Container Load (LCL)

LCL consolidates smaller shipments, ideal for volumes under 15 cubic meters. From Miami, LCL costs $70–$140 per cubic meter to Kingston or Oranjestad (8–15 days), $72–$140 to Port-au-Prince, per Freightos. From China, expect $80–$150 per cubic meter (20–40 days). From Europe, costs are $100–$180 per cubic meter (18–35 days).

Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo)

RoRo is used for vehicles or heavy equipment. From the US, a standard vehicle costs $1,200–$2,700 to Kingston or Port-au-Prince (7–12 days), $1,500–$2,500 to Oranjestad, per All Transport Depot. From China, costs range from $2,000–$3,500 (20–40 days). European RoRo costs $2,500–$4,500.

Air Freight: Speed for Urgent Shipments

Air freight is faster but pricier, ideal for high-value or time-sensitive goods. Key airports include Norman Manley (Kingston), Toussaint Louverture (Port-au-Prince), Queen Beatrix (Oranjestad), Lynden Pindling (Nassau), and Grantley Adams (Bridgetown).

Bulk Air Cargo

Bulk air cargo suits larger shipments, with transit times of 2–5 days from the US, 5–10 days from China, and 7–12 days from Europe. Costs, based on actual or volumetric weight (length x width x height in cm ÷ 6000), average $2.50–$4.00/kg from the US, $3.50–$5.50/kg from China, and $3.00–$4.50/kg from Europe, per Freightos. A 150 lbs shipment from the US costs $150–$400.

Small Parcel Express Services

Express couriers like USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and Cainiao Express are ideal for small parcels. From the US, USPS Priority Mail International delivers 1 kg packages for $23–$30 (6–10 days) to most Caribbean islands, per Easyship. FedEx/UPS International Priority costs $30–$60 for 1–5 lbs (2–5 days). From China, Cainiao Express offers 1 kg parcels at $44 USD (318 RMB) for 30–40 days, based on regional pricing (e.g., Dominican Republic), with surcharges for island logistics. From Europe, DHL Express costs $50–$100 for 1–5 kg (3–7 days).

Comparison of Shipping Options

Below is a comparison table of shipping options to key Caribbean destinations from the US, China, and Europe, designed for clarity and visual appeal.

Mode	Origin	Cost (Example)	Transit Time	Suitability	Destination Example
FCL (20-foot)	US	$1,200–$2,400 (Miami–Oranjestad/Haiti)	7–12 days	Medium shipments (e.g., household goods)	Oranjestad, Port-au-Prince
FCL (40-foot)	US	$2,000–$3,500 (Miami–Kingston)	7–12 days	Large shipments (e.g., machinery)	Kingston, Nassau
	China	$2,500–$4,500 (Shanghai–Caribbean)	20–40 days	Bulk goods, cost-effective	Bridgetown, Oranjestad
	Europe	$3,500–$6,500 (Rotterdam–Caribbean)	18–35 days	Industrial equipment	Kingston, Port-au-Prince
LCL	US	$70–$140 per cbm	8–15 days	Smaller shipments under 15 cbm	Oranjestad, Kingston
	China	$80–$150 per cbm	20–40 days	E-commerce, partial loads	Haiti, Bahamas
	Europe	$100–$180 per cbm	18–35 days	Mixed cargo, smaller volumes	Barbados, Aruba
RoRo	US	$1,200–$2,700 (vehicle)	7–12 days	Vehicles, heavy equipment	Kingston, Port-au-Prince
	China	$2,000–$3,500 (vehicle)	20–40 days	Oversized machinery	Oranjestad, Nassau
	Europe	$2,500–$4,500 (vehicle)	18–35 days	Specialty vehicles	Bridgetown, Aruba
Bulk Air Cargo	US	$2.50–$4.00/kg (150 lbs: $150–$400)	2–5 days	High-value, time-sensitive goods	Kingston, Nassau
	China	$3.50–$5.50/kg	5–10 days	Electronics, perishables	Haiti, Oranjestad
	Europe	$3.00–$4.50/kg	7–12 days	Pharmaceuticals, urgent cargo	Barbados, Aruba
Express (USPS)	US	$23–$30 (1 kg)	6–10 days	Small parcels, budget-friendly	Kingston, Nassau
Express (FedEx/UPS)	US	$30–$60 (1–5 lbs)	2–5 days	Urgent parcels, documents	Oranjestad, Bridgetown
Express (Cainiao)	China	$44 USD (318 RMB, 1 kg)	30–40 days	E-commerce, cost-effective	Haiti, Bahamas
Express (DHL)	Europe	$50–$100 (1–5 kg)	3–7 days	High-priority small shipments	Aruba, Barbados

Notes: Costs are estimates based on web data (e.g., Freightos, Easyship) and may vary by carrier, season, island, and route. “cbm” = cubic meter. Cainiao Express pricing is estimated based on regional data (e.g., Dominican Republic), with surcharges for Caribbean logistics.

Selecting a Service Provider

Choosing a provider with Caribbean expertise is critical due to varying customs and infrastructure. Below are key players and their offerings:

• Latin American Cargo (LAC): Offers FCL ($1,200–$3,500), LCL, and air freight to Jamaica, Haiti, Aruba, and more, with door-to-door and customs clearance services.
• Bon Bini Cargo: Specializes in Aruba, providing FCL, LCL ($70–$150/cbm), and air freight, with weekly consolidations from the US and Netherlands.
• Crowley Maritime: Provides FCL, LCL, and RoRo to Haiti, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, with warehousing and customs support for perishables.
• Easyship: Compares USPS ($23–$30, 6–10 days), FedEx, and UPS rates across the Caribbean, with automated customs forms and tracking.
• Interworld Freight: Offers FCL ($1,200–$3,200), LCL, and RoRo to Jamaica, Haiti, and Aruba, with expertise in US-Caribbean trade lanes.
• FreightAmigo: A digital platform for real-time quotes, tracking, and documentation for FCL, LCL, and air freight to multiple Caribbean islands.
• Cainiao Express: Cost-effective air freight from China, with rates like $44 USD for 1 kg (30–40 days) to most Caribbean destinations.

Compare quotes and prioritize providers with local contacts (e.g., Bon Bini for Aruba, Crowley for Haiti) to ensure compliance and efficiency.

Customs and Regulations

Caribbean customs vary by island, requiring tailored documentation and compliance.

Documentation

• Required Documents: Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Packing List, Certificate of Origin (if applicable), and customs declaration form. Vehicles require title, VIN, and registration. Jamaica and Aruba use electronic systems (e.g., ASYCUDA), while Haiti’s process is manual, per LAC.
• Accuracy: Errors in HS codes or valuation trigger delays or fines. Use a customs broker like Easy Cargo Aruba or Crowley Maritime.
• Island-Specific Needs: Jamaica requires C87/C86 forms; Haiti needs a 5% CIF inspection fee; Aruba mandates detailed inventories for personal shipments, per Island Bargains.

Taxes and Duties

Most islands use the CIF method, with varying de minimis thresholds:

• Jamaica: No de minimis; 16.5% General Consumption Tax + duties (0–40%), per Jamaica Customs Service.
• Haiti: No de minimis; 30% tax on shipments over $50 + duties (0–40%), per AGD.
• Aruba: ANG 200 (~$111 USD) de minimis; 7% BBO + duties (0–12%), per Douane Aruba.
• Bahamas: $50 de minimis; 7% VAT + duties (0–45%), per Bahamas Customs Service.
• Barbados: BBD 100 (~$50 USD) de minimis; 17.5% VAT + duties (0–20%), per Barbados Revenue Authority.

Restricted/Prohibited Items

• Prohibited: Narcotics, counterfeit goods, and certain agricultural products across all islands. Haiti bans used clothing (enforcement varies).
• Restricted: Firearms, pharmaceuticals, and hazardous materials require permits. Aruba restricts TVs >32 inches (IMO certification), per Island Bargains.
• Check Updates: Regulations differ; verify via local customs websites or forwarders like LAC.

Clearance Time

Typically 1–5 days for express couriers, 5–14 days for sea freight. Haiti faces longer delays (7–14 days) due to manual processes, while Jamaica and Aruba are faster (3–7 days), per FreightAmigo.

Key Considerations and Challenges

The Caribbean’s diverse geography and regulations pose unique challenges.

Logistics Challenges

• Port Congestion: Kingston and Port-au-Prince face delays (2–7 days) during peak seasons; smaller ports like Oranjestad are less congested, per Freightos.
• Transit Delays: Ocean freight (7–40 days) is slower than air (2–10 days). LCL and Cainiao Express (30–40 days) face handling delays, per X posts.
• Infrastructure Variability: Jamaica’s modern ports contrast with Haiti’s limited facilities, impacting reliability, per Crowley Maritime.
• Package Security: Untracked parcels risk loss, especially in Haiti. Use tracked services like FedEx/UPS, per Easyship.

Seasonal and Economic Factors

• Peak Seasons: Hurricane season (June–November) and holidays (e.g., Christmas) increase rates and delays. Book 4–6 weeks early, per LAC.
• Tourism-Driven Economies: Aruba and the Bahamas rely on tourism, inflating import costs during peak seasons, per Island Bargains.
• Trade Routes: US proximity (7–12 days) offers cost-effective options compared to China (20–40 days) or Europe (18–35 days).

Cost-Saving Tips

• Consolidation: Use LCL or parcel consolidation via Bon Bini Cargo or Easyship to reduce costs.
• Compare Quotes: Platforms like FreightAmigo and Easyship offer competitive rates.
• Customs Broker: Partner with LAC or Crowley for accurate documentation and faster clearance.
• De Minimis: Leverage thresholds (e.g., Aruba’s $111, Bahamas’ $50) for personal shipments, per Zion Shipping.

Conclusion

Shipping to the Caribbean requires navigating diverse customs, infrastructure, and seasonal challenges. Sea freight (FCL: $1,200–$6,500, LCL: $70–$180/cbm, RoRo: $1,200–$4,500) suits large shipments, while air freight (express: $23–$100, bulk: $2.50–$5.50/kg) is ideal for urgent goods. Providers like Latin American Cargo, Easyship, and Cainiao Express ($44 USD, 30–40 days from China) offer tailored solutions. By comparing rates, ensuring compliance, and planning for peak seasons, you can achieve efficient, cost-effective shipping across the Caribbean.

For quotes, contact Latin American Cargo (latinamericancargo.com), Easyship (easyship.com), or FreightAmigo (freightamigo.com). Plan today for a seamless shipping experience.