Shipping freight from Miami to the Bahamas is one of the shortest international ocean moves in the world — Nassau and Freeport sit within a day or two of South Florida sailings — but it is still an export, with export documentation, Bahamian customs duties, and island-specific delivery realities. This 2026 guide walks through how the lane works and how to avoid the common mistakes.
How cargo moves from Miami to the Bahamas
Most commercial freight to the Bahamas moves by ocean on scheduled sailings from South Florida ports, including shallow-draft services from the Miami River that specialize in Caribbean island trade — a niche we cover in our guide to Miami River terminals. Options include:
- FCL (full container load): Best for large restocks, construction materials, and project cargo to Nassau, Freeport, or the Family Islands.
- LCL / consolidation: Pallets and mixed lots are consolidated with other shippers’ cargo at a Miami warehouse, the same groupage model described in our Caribbean export consolidation guide.
- Air freight: For urgent or high-value shipments, short flights from MIA and FLL serve Nassau and Freeport daily.
Transit on the water is short — often one to three days depending on the island and sailing schedule — but total door-to-door time is driven by cutoffs, consolidation schedules, and customs clearance on arrival.
Export paperwork from the U.S. side
Bahamas-bound cargo is a U.S. export. In general, shipments where any single commodity exceeds 2,500 dollars in value require Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing through AES. You will also need a commercial invoice, packing list, and, for certain goods, licenses or certificates. A freight forwarder handles these filings routinely — see our freight forwarding services for what that covers.
Bahamian customs on arrival
The Bahamas applies import duties to most goods, with rates varying widely by commodity, plus VAT and processing fees. Duty is a major part of landed cost, so price it before you ship, not after. Commercial importers typically clear through a licensed Bahamian customs broker; personal effects and small shipments follow different thresholds. Your Miami forwarder should coordinate with the destination broker so documents arrive before the cargo does.
What ships on this lane
The Miami–Bahamas trade carries groceries and perishables, construction materials, furniture and appliances, vehicles and parts, marine supplies, and hotel and resort provisioning. Temperature-controlled cargo moves in reefer containers; oversized construction pieces move on flat racks or as breakbulk on island freighters.
How to keep costs down
- Consolidate. If you ship less than a container, weekly LCL consolidations from Miami are far cheaper than dedicated equipment.
- Hit the cutoffs. Island sailings are scheduled; missing a Thursday cutoff can mean a week’s delay.
- Prepare documents early. Duty classification questions are better answered before the vessel sails.
- Use one coordinator. A Miami 3PL that receives, stores, consolidates, and books the ocean leg — like Go Freight’s 3PL warehouse in Miami — removes the handoffs where island shipments typically stall. We run similar island lanes daily; compare with our Miami to Puerto Rico shipping guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Miami to the Bahamas take?
Ocean transit to Nassau or Freeport is typically one to three days, but plan door-to-door around sailing schedules, consolidation cutoffs, and Bahamian customs clearance — usually about a week for LCL cargo.
Do I need to file anything to export from Miami to the Bahamas?
Commercial shipments generally need a commercial invoice and packing list, and EEI filing through AES when a commodity line exceeds 2,500 dollars. Your forwarder files this for you.
Can I ship refrigerated goods to the islands?
Yes. Reefer containers and insulated LCL programs move perishables from Miami to the Bahamas year-round; book early during holiday and tourism peaks.
Shipping to Nassau, Freeport, or the Family Islands? Go Freight consolidates, documents, and books your Bahamas cargo from our Miami warehouse. Get a quote or call (786) 445-0150.