Freight/storage/shipping to Bahamas recs?

[SailingWithAnnie]

Hi friends,

We are trying to brainstorm ways to pack some refit/repair tools and materials from our home state of TN to do long-term cruising following the sale of our house. One potential solution is to pack everything up (we're talking tools, supplies, and things that are needed for a couple years of cruising without having a land base) and either ship it to and then store it in FL, sail up and retrieve it, or have it shipped freight style to Nassau or similar--wherever is cheapest and easiest to retrieve. Also open to other solutions!

TL;DR: we're abandoning shore life and cruising full time. How do we get tools and supplies to the islands?

 

[dlochner]

TL;DR: we're abandoning shore life and cruising full time. How do we get tools and supplies to the islands?

Hi Anni, welcome to SBO.

The simple answer is you carry them on your boat. If you have things shipped in, the costs and customs issues increase dramatically. How much you can carry varies with the size of your boat.

What kind of boat do you have? What kind of tools are planning to carry? What kind of supplies do plan to carry?

 

[SailingWithAnnie]

Thanks for your reply! The boat is in the Bahamas, the stuff is in the US. One option (as I mentioned) is to move the stuff to FL and sail up to get it. That's potentially a pain in the neck as we need the items to fix the boat to sail--Catch 22. So another idea is to have the tools and materials shipped down to where the boat is. Do you have any knowledge or advice about receiving shipments down there?

 

[dlochner]

There are companies that will ship to the Bahamas. There will be issues with clearing customs on the items you bring in. How much of an issue will be the items you are bringing in and how the boat is flagged.

There are a couple of active Bahamas Cruising groups on Facebook. Someone on there may have had recent experience. If the parts are not too large or too many some cruisers will bring the items with them.

Also check the Noonsite website and Seven Seas Cruising Association.

Good Luck.

 

[SailingWithAnnie]

Thanks a bunch!

 

[capta]

Last time I had to import parts, the Bahamas were charging 100% on anything brought in. Even a water pump I'd sent back for repair from the Bahamas. I would suggest that you put up your sails and go to the US. However, if you would like to check on it further, you could contact Tropical shipping and they will give you the straight dope on all that and bring in your package most economically and trouble free.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

When I shipped parts to St Lucia I was advised to mark the crate and customs forms “Parts for yacht in transit “. I paid zero tax on $14k in parts. I used a customs agent in St Lucia and that cost about $800. Well worth it - she was well connected and was able to track it out of customs quickly, and she provided status updates and arranged a truck to deliver it to my boat.
From what I’ve been told, it’s the norm among nations to waive duties and other import taxes for items that are used on a vessel that’s not staying. You should verify that the Bahamas honors such a policy.
I did quick search and found Ports of Entry - Bahamas Vacation Travel Guide by Bahamas-Travel.info from the page
“Customs Superintendent Raphael Whyms said that boaters who have a valid cruising permit should have to pay only a 7% stamp tax on replacement boat parts. They should not have to pay any duty. If a boater is assessed a duty fee, he should call Mr. Whyms in Nassau at 242-302-3531 to report it and have the problem corrected.”
Tip - I taped an Apple AirTag to the underside of the crate cover so I could track it myself.