Freight Shipping Miami to Haiti: 2026 Guide

Shipping freight from Miami to Haiti in 2026 is handled almost entirely by ocean carriers sailing from PortMiami and the Miami River to Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, and Port Lafito, with typical transit times of 2–5 days once a vessel departs. Most commercial shippers choose between full-container loads (FCL) for volume cargo and consolidated LCL for smaller shipments, while a Miami 3PL coordinates trucking, warehousing, export documents, and booking. Here is what Haiti-bound shippers need to know this year.

How freight moves from Miami to Haiti

Miami is the primary U.S. gateway for Haitian trade. Cargo is received at a Miami warehouse or container freight station (CFS), consolidated, and loaded for weekly sailings. Shallow-draft vessels departing the Miami River have served Haiti for decades, while larger container services call at Port-au-Prince and Port Lafito.

LCL consolidation for small shipments

If you ship pallets rather than containers, LCL groupage is the economical option: your cargo shares a container with other Haiti-bound freight and you pay by volume (per cubic foot or cubic meter). Our guide to Caribbean export consolidation from Miami explains how groupage cut-offs and receiving windows work.

FCL for commercial volume

Businesses moving 10+ pallets, vehicles, or project cargo usually book a 20’ or 40’ container. A licensed freight forwarder books vessel space, files the Electronic Export Information (EEI) in AES when the shipment requires it, and issues the bill of lading.

Documents and export compliance

Haiti-bound exports need a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading; shipments valued over $2,500 per Schedule B number require an EEI filing. Consignees clear cargo through Haitian customs (AGD), and duties are assessed on CIF value. Work with your consignee before sailing — customs brokerage on the Haitian side is the most common source of delay.

Costs, timing, and planning in 2026

Rates vary with fuel surcharges, equipment availability, and season. As a rule of thumb, LCL is quoted per cubic foot with a minimum, and FCL is quoted as a flat ocean rate plus origin charges. Peak demand ahead of holidays and hurricane-season disruptions can tighten space, so book 1–2 weeks ahead. Security conditions in Haiti can affect inland delivery beyond the port; reputable carriers adjust routings and schedules as needed, so confirm current service before committing to delivery dates. Households sending personal effects should read our guide to shipping household goods from Miami to the Caribbean.

What ships most from Miami to Haiti

Typical southbound cargo includes food staples, beverages, construction materials, solar equipment, vehicles and parts, medical supplies, and relief goods for NGOs. Temperature-sensitive loads move in reefer containers, and vehicles ship either in containers or on chartered RoRo services. Barrels and boxes from families in South Florida remain a large share of LCL volume, and consolidators receive them at Miami warehouses alongside commercial freight. If your cargo needs export packaging, crating, or short-term storage before sailing, a Miami cross-dock keeps origin handling on one campus and cuts days off the schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How long does freight shipping from Miami to Haiti take?

Ocean transit is typically 2–5 days port to port. Allow extra time for consolidation cut-offs in Miami and customs clearance in Haiti, so door-to-consignee timelines of 1–2 weeks are common for LCL cargo.

Can I ship a single pallet from Miami to Haiti?

Yes. LCL consolidation services accept single pallets, boxes, barrels, and crates. You pay by volume, and your cargo sails on the next scheduled consolidation to Port-au-Prince or Cap-Haïtien.

What documents do I need to export to Haiti?

At minimum a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. Shipments over $2,500 per Schedule B classification also require an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing in ACE/AES before export.

Get a Miami-to-Haiti freight quote

Go Freight is an asset-based Miami 3PL at 3300 NW 110th St., Miami, FL 33167, minutes from PortMiami and the Miami River terminals. Request a fast freight quote or call (786) 445-0150 to book your next Haiti shipment.