Shipping Household Goods from Miami to the Caribbean: 2026 Guide

Moving household goods from Miami to the Caribbean is a well-worn path: pack and crate, consolidate into weekly LCL sailings (or book your own container for a full home), and clear island customs under personal-effects rules that are far friendlier than commercial entries. Costs are volume-based, transit runs from 2 days (Bahamas, Jamaica) to about a week (eastern Caribbean), and the paperwork is manageable if you inventory everything before it ships.

Three ways to ship a household move

Barrels and boxes (small moves)

The classic option for sending goods to family or staging a gradual relocation. Fiber or plastic barrels and sturdy cartons move as LCL freight on weekly island sailings, priced per piece or per cubic foot.

LCL consolidation (apartment-sized moves)

Palletized and shrink-wrapped goods share a container with other island cargo — the standard choice for 1–2 bedroom moves. Weekly cutoffs apply; our consolidation guide explains the mechanics.

Exclusive container (full households)

A 20′ box holds a small home; a 40′ handles most 3–4 bedroom households, and you can include a vehicle — see our guide to shipping cars to the Caribbean. The container is loaded once, sealed, and opened at destination.

Packing, crating, and what not to ship

Ocean freight gets handled multiple times, so pack like it: double-wall cartons, furniture blankets, and custom crates for TVs, glass, marble, and artwork — our packaging and crating team builds ISPM-15 compliant crates, which island plant-health inspectors require for wood packaging (details in our crating guide). Don’t ship: aerosols, propane, bleach and flammables (hazmat rules), and check island restrictions on plants, foods, and used tires before loading.

Island customs and the returning-resident advantage

Most Caribbean nations offer duty concessions on used personal effects — especially for returning residents who have lived abroad for a qualifying period (commonly 1–3 years). New items in original packaging are usually dutiable, so keep receipts separate. Every island wants a detailed inventory (“packing list”) with the shipment; your consignee typically clears with a local broker. Requirements differ meaningfully between, say, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, so confirm your island’s allowance before you pack.

What it costs in 2026

Small barrel shipments start under a couple hundred dollars; LCL moves are priced per cubic foot with minimums; exclusive 20′ containers to nearby islands generally land in the low-to-mid four figures plus destination charges. Insure the shipment — carrier liability is minimal — and budget for island-side port fees.

One warehouse, one plan

Go Freight receives your goods (or packs them), crates, inventories, consolidates, and books sailings from our facility at 3300 NW 110 St, Miami, FL 33167 — with export docs and AES handled by our forwarding desk.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to ship household goods from Miami to the Caribbean?

Barrels start under a few hundred dollars, LCL moves are billed by cubic foot, and an exclusive 20-foot container to nearby islands typically runs in the low-to-mid four figures plus destination charges.

Do I pay duty on used household items?

Most islands give duty concessions on used personal effects, with the best allowances for returning residents. New items in original packaging are generally dutiable, so document age and keep receipts.

How far in advance should I book my move?

Two to three weeks is comfortable. Sailings are weekly with fixed receiving cutoffs, and holiday and hurricane seasons tighten space, so early booking protects your date.

Planning an island move? Get a quote at go-freight.io/quote or call (786) 445-0150.