Ship Car To The Bahamas

by Joe Webster

Last updated Oct, 07 2026

Shipping A Car To The Bahamas

Typical Hauling Prices – How Much Does It Cost?

Shipping a car to the Bahamas from Florida ports costs $1,200–$3,000, with Miami and Fort Lauderdale departures offering the lowest ocean freight rates.
RoRo from a Florida port to Nassau or Freeport takes 7–12 days total, including port handling, export inspection, and Bahamian customs clearance.
Bahamian customs duties range from 45%–65% of vehicle value depending on price, plus a 7% stamp tax, making import costs a critical budgeting factor.

Pinned

New Deals are now available for shipping all types vehicles using our vetted reliable shippers. Compare price estimates & Unlock up to 25% off.

Cost & Time Examples For Hauling A Vehicle

To/From	Ground	Ocean	Days
San Jose, CA to (California port) to Nassau	$200	$2600	5+15
New York, NY to (New York port) to Freeport	$265	$1700	5+8
Boston, MA to (New York port) to Nassau	$410	$1700	5+8
Las Vegas, NV to (California port) to Nassau	$460	$2600	5+15
Portland, OR to (California port) to Freeport	$475	$2600	6+15
Seattle, WA to (California port) to Nassau	$550	$3,600	6+15
Columbus, OH to (New York port) to Freeport	$550	$1700	5+8
Detroit, MI to (New York port) to Nassau	$575	$1700	6+8
Denver, CO to (California port) to Nassau	$775	$2600	7+15
Houston, TX to (New York port) to Freeport	$1,075	$1700	7+8

*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 10 days to process the documents.

*Prices are for one car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport 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.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a country comprising over 700 islands located in the southern Atlantic off of the southeast coast of Florida. It is a member of the British Commonwealth and recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as monarch.

This island nation boasts spectacular beaches, great fishing, and exciting eco-tourism opportunities and is a popular choice for destination weddings. If you fall in love with the Bahamas and decide to move there, here are some things you need to know about shipping a vehicle to this Caribbean nation.

Popular Moving Destinations

A-1 Auto Transport Ships Worldwide.

Get a Free, No Obligation to Buy, Auto Shipping Quote.

Get my free quote now

or call us to do it for you:

Other Types Of Vehicles We Transport To The Country

Motorcycles

Keep to the Left

They still drive on the left in this former British colony, so if you bring a car from a right-hand drive country, you must have the headlights adjusted to dip to the left instead of the right. Driving on the left takes some getting used to, but other traffic laws are similar to the United States or Canada. Be aware that traffic in the capital city of Nassau is very congested; however, if you are familiar with city driving and traffic slowdowns, you should be able to handle driving in the Bahamas.

RO/RO vs. Container

Your car will travel to the Bahamas on a cargo ship in one of two ways: Roll On/Roll Off (RO/RO) or in a shipping container. RO/RO means that your car is driven onto the ship and parked inside for the duration of the trip. It must be in working order, and you may not leave anything inside the car during transit. The car is simply driven off the ship after docking. Cars shipped in a container must be loaded and secured in a particular manner, and more work is involved in handling them. RO/RO is usually a little less expensive than shipping in a container.

Customs Duty and Stamp Tax

Exporting a car to the Bahamas can be expensive. When you ship a car to the Bahamas, you must pay duty on it according to its value.

less than $10,000 = 45%
$10,000 to $20,000 = 50%
more than $20,000 = 65%

You'll also have to pay a 7% stamp tax on top of the duty. Taxis and automobiles used in business or public transportation fleets are exempt from import duties. The exemption applies to brand-new or previously owned automobiles, except that the latter cannot be older than three years. You cannot resell the vehicle in the Bahamas after receiving a duty or tax exemption, and you must take it with you when you leave the nation.

Required Documents For Moving A Vehicle

Copy of sales invoice for recently purchased cars.
Proof of insurance.
Customs declaration form.
Vehicle title.
Passport.
Bill of lading.

As soon as the car enters the country, it must be taken to the Road Traffic Department for inspection, licensing, and registration. For this, you will need the documents listed above, as well as a Road Traffic Vehicle Information Form and a valid driver’s license. You may use your driver's license from your country of origin for up to three months, but after that time, you must apply for a Bahamian license. You will receive your registration and license disc that day.

The fee for the inspection is $35. The cost to register a vehicle depends upon its weight:

Less than 5,000 lbs. = BS$160.00
5,001 - 15,000 lbs. = BS$560.00
more than 15,000 lbs. = BS$760.00

Fees and taxes are subject to change, so double-checking the figures before you leave is a good idea.

Click here to learn more about the vehicle registration process in the Bahamas.

Relevant Statistics

Over 90% of vehicles shipped to The Bahamas arrive in perfect condition.
On average, it takes only seven days for a car to be shipped from the United States to The Bahamas.
More than 3,500 cars are transported to The Bahamas each year.
The cost of shipping a car to The Bahamas is approximately $1,500.
Car shipping companies guarantee a 98% on-time delivery rate when shipping cars to The Bahamas.

General Facts

Shipping a car to The Bahamas requires proper documentation, including proof of ownership and vehicle registration.
It is necessary to hire a reputable shipping company specializing in vehicle transportation.
The car must be prepared for shipping by removing personal belongings, cleaning it thoroughly, and disabling the alarm system.
Before shipping, it's essential to research the specific rules and regulations for importing vehicles into The Bahamas.
Customs duties and taxes may be applicable upon arrival, so it's essential to budget accordingly.

Other Services

Overseas Moving Services to the Bahamas

RO/RO Transport Service Cost to Ship a Car to the Bahamas
Is it easy to ship a car from Miami to the Bahamas?
Ship a car to the Bahamas using the safest shipping method available
The advantages of shipping a vehicle to the Bahamas
What are my options if I professionally transport my car to the Bahamas?
What does it cost to ship a car to the Bahamas?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I ship a car to the Bahamas from the United States?

To ship a car to the Bahamas from the United States, route the vehicle to a U.S. export port, complete export clearance, and book RoRo or container service to a served Bahamian port. A1’s international car shipping service explains the broader overseas process. Running standard vehicles commonly suit RoRo, while container service provides an enclosed shipping unit. After the sailing, the vehicle must clear Bahamian Customs before local registration and release.

How much does it cost to ship a car to the Bahamas?

As of October 7, 2026, shipping a standard running car from Florida to the Bahamas is roughly $1,200-$2,800 for port-to-port ocean transport, before Bahamian import charges or U.S. inland pickup. RoRo commonly falls near $1,200-$1,800, while dedicated-container service is often around $2,600-$2,800. Vehicle size, operability, departure terminal, and sailing availability account for most quote movement. The final booking rate should be priced for the exact vehicle and sailing week.

What does the Bahamas car import policy require after arrival?

The Bahamas car import process requires customs clearance before local registration, and the vehicle cannot legally be driven on public roads until it is licensed and insured. The Road Traffic Department says the owner must transport the vehicle to an RTD office for inspection and registration. Bring the Customs Vehicle Information Slip, valid insurance or cover note, bill of sale or sales invoice, proof-of-age identification, and a valid Bahamian driver’s licence. After inspection and payment, RTD issues the local vehicle documents.

What documents are required to ship a car to the Bahamas?

For a used vehicle leaving the United States, the core export paperwork includes ownership documents, VIN information, and an EEI filing in AES at least 72 hours before export. CBP states that a U.S.-titled vehicle requires the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy, plus two complete copies. The vehicle is also presented at the export port for VIN verification. A1’s international car shipping documents guide covers the broader paperwork flow for overseas vehicle transport.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car to the Bahamas?

RoRo from South Florida is usually the cheapest way to ship a running standard car to the Bahamas because the vehicle shares vessel space instead of using a dedicated container. Current Palm Beach schedules reach Nassau and Freeport in about one sailing day, so that gateway can also keep the ocean leg short when the routing fits your shipment. RoRo normally requires the vehicle to be operable and empty of personal cargo. A1’s RoRo shipping cost guide explains the method and main rate inputs.

How long does it take to ship a car from Florida to the Bahamas?

A Florida-to-Bahamas car shipment can have a 1-day scheduled ocean leg from Palm Beach to Nassau or Freeport, while broader RoRo planning estimates run about 3-6 days port to port. For the full shipping process, a practical planning window is about 7-12 days, including export handling, vessel scheduling, unloading, and customs release. That total does not include a long inland move to the Florida port. Weather, missed documentation cutoffs, or customs holds can extend the calendar.