What You Need To Know When Moving To The Caribbean

When you are moving to the Caribbean there is a lot to consider. This is not like moving somewhere else within the UK.

If you are planning emigrating to the Caribbean there are a lot of things that you need to know: this is not like moving to the next town or even across the UK – it is a whole different kettle of fish.

When choosing a Caribbean shipping company you need one with a lot of experience of shipping to the CARICOM countries. The term CARICOM is an abbreviation for Caribbean Communities and the members include Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

When you are thinking about packing your belongings there are two choices. You can either do it yourself or you can have the shipping company do it for you. Obviously, you will save money if you do it yourself, but there are two things to consider. First you actually have to do the work. However, the more important point is that most international removals insurance will only cover you if your goods have been professionally packed. You should also note that there are certain things that you cannot take with you and these include plants, tobacco, alcohol, food and liquids, firearms, live animals, and toy weapons. Yes, a child's toy gun can look very real if a customs official decides to run an X-ray inspection of the container.

Before you think about the packing you need to decide exactly what you are going to take and what you can leave behind. Go through your whole home and make a list of all the things that you simply can't do without. Make sure that things that you decide not to take can be purchased quickly and easily on your arrival in your new home.

Next is to consider whether you need a full container or a part container. A full container is called FCL (Full Container Load). If you won't fill a container your load is LCL (Less than a Container Load). If you are close to an FCL it may be worth your while to book the full container anyway since this will eliminate any waiting time for other cargo to fill the container.

Having all the proper documents is vital when moving to the Caribbean. You will need your passport, employment identification number, and work visa if you are going to work in your new country. Having an organised packing list can also help considerably if your items are subject to a random inspection. If your items are inspected you could be liable for handling and storage fees and the costs of X-ray inspection, to say nothing of the inconvenience of the delay and losing your booking.

There are also things to take into consideration if you decide to ship your car or motorbike. If you ship a car you will need a ramp to get it into the container and it has to be secured with tension straps. It also has to have the fuel and battery removed. You will need the log book and other documentation. You also need to be sure that your car will pass the environmental and safety regulations in your destination country. Motorbikes require similar treatment but must be crated. It is worth noting that in some countries motorbikes are subject to import tariffs and protectionist restrictions. In addition, consider the availability and cost of parts for your car or motorbike in the destination country.

It is worth knowing the terminology involved in shipping overseas. You are the shipper (person sending the goods) and also the consignee (person receiving them). The freight forwarder (sometimes also called the origin agent) arranges the container, makes the booking, provides you with a Bill of Lading, and tracks your shipment. DO NOT LOSE your Bill of Lading. Have it photocopied and keep another copy on your laptop or tablet. Be sure you have it with you when you arrive in your destination country.

The consolidated warehouse is where your container will go if you are shipping LCL and needs to be filled. The customs bonded warehouse is where your belongings are held until they have cleared customs, and the destination agent clears your goods through customs and makes sure they get to your new home.

W.I. Freight has been shipping goods to the Caribbean for over 50 years and has expert knowledge of everything required to move abroad. The company handles everything with care and will take the stress out of your move to the Caribbean.

License: You have permission to republish this article in any format, even commercially, but you must keep all links intact. Attribution required.