How to Ship to The Bahamas from the US
The Bahamas is one of the closest international destinations to the US — Nassau is just 50 miles from Miami. Despite the proximity, the Bahamas is an independent nation with its own customs authority, and all shipments are treated as international imports. US carriers operate frequent services, and delivery times can be as fast as 1-2 days for express services.
The Bahamas charges customs duty on imports, ranging from 0% to 45% depending on the product. VAT (10%) was introduced in 2015. There is no standard de minimis threshold — duties apply based on assessed customs value. Nassau (New Providence) and Freeport (Grand Bahama) are the main destinations; outer islands (Family Islands) require additional interisland transport after clearing Nassau customs.
Typical 1 lb cost
$25–$45 USD
Typical transit
2–8 business days
Carrier Options to The Bahamas
DHL Express Worldwide
Best for the Bahamas. 1-3 business days from Miami. Strong Nassau operations.
FedEx International Priority
1-2 business days from South Florida. Excellent frequency.
UPS Worldwide Express
1-3 business days. Good coverage in Nassau and Freeport.
USPS Priority Mail International
3–10 business days via Bahamas Post. Budget option; works well for lightweight packages.
Customs Forms Required
CN22 for items under $400. CN23 + commercial invoice for higher-value packages.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Firearms and ammunition without Department of Immigration authorization
- ✕Illegal drugs and narcotics
- ✕Counterfeit goods
- ✕Certain agricultural products without Ministry of Agriculture permit
- ✕Cuban cigars (limited by US re-export rules; Bahamas customs separate issue)
The Bahamas-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 Despite being 50 miles from Miami, all Bahamas shipments require customs clearance — factor duty costs into planning
- 💡 Customs duty can be 0–45% depending on product; VAT adds another 10%
- 💡 Nassau-resident expats often use freight forwarders with Nassau warehouse addresses to consolidate shipments
- 💡 Family Islands (Exumas, Abacos, Eleuthera, etc.) require interisland transport after Nassau clearance — add 2-5 days
- 💡 DHL and FedEx both offer very fast transit from South Florida — ideal for urgent Bahamas shipments
Frequently asked questions
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