Ship Car To The Bahamas

Shipping A Car To The Bahamas

Typical Hauling Prices – How Much Does It Cost?

• Since the Bahamas are relatively close the U.S., cars shipped from the East Coast can be very affordable to ship.
• Costs generally start at $800 and go up to as much as $2,000 or more for larger vehicles and SUVs.

Cost & Time Examples For Hauling A Vehicle

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.

*Save the ground transport cost by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.

*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.

*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.

*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a country made up of over 700 islands located in the southern Atlantic off of the southeast coast of Florida. It is a member of the British Commonwealth and recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as monarch.

This island nation boasts spectacular beaches, great fishing, exciting eco-tourism opportunities and is a popular choice for destination weddings. If you fall in love with the Bahamas and decide to move there, here are some things you need to know about shipping a vehicle to this Caribbean nation.

Popular Moving Destinations

• Freeport
• Nassau
• San Andros

Other Types Of Vehicles We Transport To The Country

• Motorcycles

Keep to the Left

They still drive on the left in this former British colony, so if you are bringing a car from a right-hand drive country, you will have to have the headlights adjusted to dip to the left instead of the right. Driving on the left takes some getting used to, but other traffic laws are similar to the United States or Canada. Be aware that traffic in the capital city of Nassau is very congested; however, if you are familiar with city driving and traffic slow downs, you should able to handle driving in the Bahamas.

RO/RO vs. Container

Your car will travel to the Bahamas on a cargo ship in one of two ways: Roll On/Roll Off (RO/RO) or in a shipping container. RO/RO means that your car is driven onto the ship and parked inside for the duration of the trip. It must be in working order and you may not leave anything inside the car during transit. The car is simply driven off the ship after docking. Cars shipped in a container must be loaded and secured in a particular manner, and more work is involved in handling them. RO/RO is usually a little less expensive than shipping in a container.

Customs Duty and Stamp Tax

Exporting a car to the Bahamas can be expensive. When you ship a car to the Bahamas, you will have to pay duty on it according to its value.

• less than $10,000 = 45%
• $10,000 to $20,000 = 50%
• more than $20,000 = 65%

You'll also have to pay a 7% stamp tax on top of the duty. Taxis and automobiles used in business or public transportation fleets are exempt from import duties. The exemption applies to either brand-new or previously owned automobiles, with the exception that the latter cannot be older than three years. You cannot resell the vehicle in the Bahamas after receiving a duty or tax exemption, and you must take it with you when you leave the nation.

Required Documents For Moving A Vehicle

1. Copy of sales invoice for recently purchased cars.
2. Proof of insurance.
3. Customs declaration form.
4. Vehicle title.
5. Passport.
6. Bill of lading.

As soon as the car enters the country, it must be taken to the Road Traffic Department for inspection, licensing and registration. For this, you will need the documents listed above, as well as a Road Traffic Vehicle Information Form and a valid driver’s license. You may use your driver's license from your country of origin for up to three months, but after that time you must apply for a Bahamian license. You will receive your registration and license disc that day.

The fee for the inspection is $35. The cost to register a vehicle depends upon its weight:

• less than 5,000 lbs. = BS$160.00
• 5,001 - 15,000 lbs. = BS$560.00
• more than 15,000 lbs. = BS$760.00

Fees and taxes are subject to change, so it is a good idea to double-check the figures shortly before you leave.

Click here to learn more about the vehicle registration process in the Bahamas.

Relevant Statistics

• Over 90% of vehicles shipped to The Bahamas arrive in perfect condition.
• On average, it takes only seven days for a car to be shipped from the United States to The Bahamas.
• More than 3,500 cars are transported to The Bahamas each year.
• The cost of shipping a car to The Bahamas is approximately $1,500.
• Car shipping companies guarantee a 98% on-time delivery rate when shipping cars to The Bahamas.

General Facts

• Shipping a car to The Bahamas requires proper documentation, including proof of ownership and vehicle registration.
• It is necessary to hire a reputable shipping company specializing in vehicle transportation.
• The car needs to be prepared for shipping by removing personal belongings, cleaning it thoroughly, and disabling the alarm system.
• Before shipping, it's important to research the specific rules and regulations for importing vehicles into The Bahamas.
• Upon arrival, customs duties and taxes may be applicable, so it's essential to budget accordingly.

Other Services

• Overseas Moving Services to the Bahamas

Related Information & FAQs

• RO/RO Transport Service Cost to Ship a Car to the Bahamas
• Is it easy to ship a car from Miami to the Bahamas?
• Ship a car to the Bahamas using the safest shipping method available
• The advantages of shipping a vehicle to the Bahamas
• What are my options if I professionally transport my car to the Bahamas?
• What does it cost to ship a car to the Bahamas?