Container shipping to the Caribbean

A 20-ft container typically costs between $1,000 and $2,500 and a 40-ft between $1,500 and $3,500. The final price depends on the origin port, the type of cargo and whether you ship a full or a shared container; when you request a quote we confirm it within one business day with the full breakdown. Import duty and VAT or sales tax are separate from freight, vary by island and are assessed by each destination's customs authority.

From the U.S., by island: 3-14 days. Miami → Puerto Rico: 3-5 days. Houston → Jamaica: 7-10 days. New York → Dominican Republic: 8-12 days. These are estimated ocean transit times; when you request a quote we confirm the next weekly sailing and the estimated arrival date. Transit is port to port, so customs clearance, inland delivery and any transshipment connection add days at destination.

Most islands ask for a bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list and a broker's customs declaration, filed in ASYCUDA World in many of them, including St Lucia and Trinidad. Trinidad requires a customs broker for commercial imports and uses the C75 or C76 declaration with a CARICOM Area Invoice, while the Bahamas files in Click2Clear. Cargo is consolidated in Miami before sailing. We prepare them for you and handle customs clearance at destination, so no missing paper holds your cargo.

Choose LCL for mixed loads of up to about 15 CBM and FCL for full containers. Island taxes differ: St Lucia charges a 6% customs service charge on CIF value, Trinidad adds 12.5% VAT on CIF plus duty, and the CARICOM Common External Tariff applies in member states. Consolidating in Miami gives one house bill and one entry per consignee. Not sure? Tell us what you are shipping and we recommend the format with the best total cost.

Yes, but rules for personal effects differ by island and no single exemption applies across the region. The Bahamas lets returning residents who lived abroad two years or more apply for relief on used effects, while the Dominican Republic bans used clothing and cars over five years old. Confirm the destination island before packing. We move personal items, household goods and full relocations, with customs and documentation handled door to door.

We serve Port of San Juan, Kingston Container Terminal, Port of Santo Domingo, Freeport Container Port, Port of Spain, with customs clearance handled at each one and inland delivery coordinated to the final destination if you need it. UN/LOCODEs: San Juan PRSJU, Kingston JMKIN, Santo Domingo DOSDQ, Freeport BSFPO and Port of Spain TTPOS. Interworld Freight has its own offices in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.