Ship Car To Barbados

Car Shipping Barbados

Typical Shipment Prices – How Much Does It Cost?

• Delivering a car to Barbados from the United States typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000, though it can sometimes be cheaper.
• Shipping from the Port of Miami is usually the least expensive option, especially if you use a Cargo container to move your car.

Cost & Time Examples For Transporting a Car

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.

*Save on ground transport costs by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.

*Allow an additional ten days to process the documents.

*Prices are for one car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to export a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.

*The RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive, and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.

Importing/Exporting a car to Bajan Island can be costly due to the various taxes and duty charges determined by the vehicle's age, power, and cost. However, importing a car to Barbados is free and without restrictions if you are a diplomat.

If you are a returning national, importing a vehicle is free. Still, you will need specific approval from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and proof that you have owned the car for three years and lived in Barbados for over three years at any given point. The valuable resources section will list more information on the returning national program below. Bridgetown is the principal port and likely landing point for any vehicle shipped to Barbados. USD 1 is worth around 2 Barbados Dollars (BBD). Bajan Island is located in the Caribbean Islands, above South America.

Popular Transport Destinations

• Bathsheba
• Bridgetown
• Hastings
• Holetown
• Oistins
• Speightstown

Other Types Of Vehicles We Transport

• Motorcycles

Expected Costs and Required Documents

Bringing your automobile into Barbados comes with a few conditions and, understandably, some costs to plan for.

The vehicle you’re importing must be under four years old and have less than 50,000 kilometers on the odometer. Proof of ownership is also required; a title or registration document will usually suffice.

Now, let’s talk about the fees. Importing a vehicle into Barbados isn’t exactly budget-friendly, especially once duties and taxes are added up. Expect to pay an import duty of around 45% on most motorcars. On top of that, there’s a 17.5% value-added tax, plus a port FAS charge when your automobile arrives.

If you're bringing in a used automobile, a $4,000 environmental levy applies. For new vehicles, that levy is reduced to $300.

Then there's the excise tax, which varies depending on engine size, weight, and value. For example:

• If the automobile’s engine is 1800cc or more and its value exceeds $45,000, you'll pay a 120% excise tax.
• If the vehicle weighs under 5 tons and is valued below $45,000, the rate drops to around 62.77%.
• Still under 5 tons but valued above $45,000? Then it's closer to 80.16%.
• For vehicles heavier than 5 tons, the excise tax decreases significantly to about 10%.

Importing a motorcar into Barbados is doable, but the fees can add up quickly. Knowing these numbers is important so there are no surprises once your automobile hits the port.

Process of registering a vehicle in Barbados.

What Documents You Need to Bring Your Vehicle into Barbados

Getting your automobile into Barbados isn’t overly complicated, especially when you’ve got a reliable hauler or shipping company handling the logistics. Most of the heavy lifting, like permits and licenses, will be managed on your behalf. What you’ll need to provide is pretty straightforward.

Here’s what’s typically required:

• Import Permit – usually arranged by your hauler.
• Vehicle ownership logbook.
• Proof of insurance.
• Invoice or receipt (especially if it’s a new vehicle).
• Import License – also handled by your shipping provider.
• Bill of Lading (OBL) – your carrier will include this.

Having these documents ready helps avoid delays and ensures a smoother import process.

Choosing the Right Shipping Method

We offer a few reliable ways to get your automobile into Barbados, and we’ll help you select the one that fits your timeline, budget, and comfort level. The two most common international delivery methods include:

• RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) – Ideal for operational vehicles. This is often the most cost-effective option.
• Container shipping – A more secure option, especially if you're also moving personal belongings with your automobile.

Whether you're shipping a four-wheeler or something larger, we'll help you choose the best method for your needs.

• Roll on, Roll off (RoRo): This method is among the most popular. Your vehicle is driven onto the ship, securely held in place, delivered to the port of choice, and then driven off the boat. For this method to be viable, your automobile must be operable. If you elect to use this shipping method, you cannot store personal items in your vehicle.
• Container delivery: If you want to ship personal belongings with your vehicle, this may be the best delivery method. Your vehicle and personal belongings will be securely held in place and stored in a cargo container.

Moving equipment & oversized cargo to Barbados

Shipping heavy machinery or oversized cargo from the U.S. to Barbados doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With A1 Auto Transport, you’re not figuring it out on your own. We’ve been doing this for decades and’ll walk you through every step.

We’ve helped customers move all kinds of large freight overseas. Whether it's construction gear, farm equipment, or something uniquely oversized, chances are we’ve hauled it before. And if we haven’t? We’ll figure it out with you.

Some of the most common types of heavy and oversized items we help move include:

• tractors and backhoes
• excavators, pavers, and loaders
• forklifts and skidders
• dump trucks and cranes
• industrial machinery
• large vehicles and farm tools

This isn’t a complete list; it is just a few of the oversized items we regularly handle. Generally, it's considered heavy or oversized if something can’t fit inside a standard 40-foot container or weighs significantly more than your average motorcar. Once we know what you're moving, we’ll walk you through the best delivery methods and give you a clear picture of the costs and paperwork involved.

We’re here to make it simple, and we’ll keep things moving smoothly.

Relevant Statistics

• More than 10,000 cars are shipped to Barbados every year.
• The average cost to send a motorcar to the island is about $1,500, depending on the size and method you choose.
• Roughly 90% of the cars imported to Bajan Island are used as a practical choice for most buyers.
• About 80% of vehicles shipped to Barbados come from the United States, making it the top exporting country.
• Depending on the port and service used, it takes an average of 14 days to ship a car from the U.S. to the island.

General Facts

• Shipping a car to Bajan Island means arranging to have your automobile delivered from another country to the island of Barbados.
• The process usually involves working with a professional shipping company or freight forwarder who handles international auto transport and knows the steps inside out.
• Before you ship, it’s essential to ensure that you meet all the legal requirements for importing your car, which includes submitting the proper documents and following customs regulations.
• Most cars are shipped using container service, which protects them from weather and damage during the journey.
• Once your automobile lands on Bajan soil, it goes through customs clearance before it’s road-ready.

Overseas Delivery Methods Available for Heavy Equipment

Several different carriers are available through A1 for shipping big machinery. Customers with enormous cargo and heavy equipment can choose from four different transport ways, though this number may be reduced based on the specifics of the cargo at hand. After hearing about your equipment or cargo, we can inform you of your options over the phone. To help you decide which of our international shipping options is best for you, we've included brief descriptions of each below…

• Container transport offers the best security. Enclosing your cargo within walls and a ceiling will keep it safe from inclement weather and other outside hazards. This is the most expensive method, yet very cost-efficient.
• Flat Rack Shipping—With this method, your cargo is secured to a flat rack with a large metal frame. Once it is fastened properly, the rack is placed on top of the ship and removed from the boat similarly.
• Roll-On/Roll-Off Shipping—The RoRo method is the cheapest form of transport. It is an open-air service that requires your large vehicle or piece of equipment to be operable so it can roll onto and off the ship.
• Lift On/Lift Off Shipping—The LoLo shipping method is best for individuals transporting large, broken-down vehicles and crated heavy equipment overseas. A crane lifts the cargo onto and off the ship.

Other Services

• Overseas Moving Services to Barbados

Related Information & FAQs

• Shipping a car to Barbados from the United States is affordable and cost-effective.
• How do you estimate the cost of shipping a car to Barbados?
• Shipping a car from the US to Barbados

Valuable Resources

Returning Nationals

International Association of Movers – Barbados Page