Transporting a yacht from the U.S. to the Caribbean is a job for a licensed international shipping company, a transporter with a long history in the industry. Hire a shipping company that continues to keep up with the latest transport equipment and current foreign import policies. The companies that provide this reliability prove their success through proof of BBB approval, DOT registration and other pertinent certifications.
The import policies enforced by the Caribbean aren’t as strict as some of the laws set by other countries. They have some quality standards set and taxes that must be paid in full before the yacht can obtain import approval from Customs. Some of the taxes you must pay including a 15% to 20% tax in addition to smaller taxes like the General Consumption Tax (GCT). You’ll need proof that you paid all the taxes so that you can give it to Customs with the other required documents.
The Best Ways to Ship a Yacht to the Caribbean
The process of shipping a yacht to the Caribbean depends on several factors. The size and weight of your yacht is one thing considered as well as the pickup and delivery locations. Nevertheless, you’ll have various options in most cases. The larger your yacht, the less options you’ll have.
Open air methods of transport are less expensive than enclosed methods. Most yachts are too large to take advantage of enclosed shipping methods. If transported over land, the yacht is likely to be delivered atop a trailer. It may need to be lifted onto this trailer with a heavy duty lift also referred to as a lift on/lift off service. This is a common practice among boat transport companies.
When the yacht is to transport overseas, it may do so using a flat rack or a semi-submersion shipping method. The semi-submersion shipping service is typically recommended for customers with large yachts to ship to the Caribbean or other country across open seas. Regardless of size, there is certainly a way to have your yacht shipped safely and in good time. Perhaps the most important thing to do is find a dependable international yacht transport company to hire for the job.
The transport company will help you with any decisions you must make and guide you through the shipping process. They’ll even guarantee their delivery by offering insurance coverage through their own policy. This is also a state requirement for all licensed transporters out of the U.S.