Cost, transit time, and which one to pick, at every weight and item type.
Which should you choose?:For US-to-Bahamas shipments under ~200 lb, Bahamas Purchasing air freight at $1/lb ($10 minimum) is cheaper and faster, Nassau in 3–5 business days. Above 200 lb, or for furniture, appliances, and building materials, ocean freight at $200 per half pallet or $350 per full pallet is cheaper per pound. Customs duty and 10% VAT are identical for both modes.
Both leave from our Fort Lauderdale warehouse.
$10 minimum · 3–5 days to Nassau
Half / full pallet · ask us about ocean freight timing
| Factor | Air | Ocean |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $1/lb actual weight ($10 minimum) | $200 half pallet · $350 full pallet |
| Best for | Online orders, electronics, clothing, small parts | Furniture, appliances, building materials, bulk wholesale |
| Typical weight sweet spot | Up to ~200 lb per shipment | 200 lb+ or bulky/oversized goods |
| Transit to Nassau | 3–5 business days | Ask us about ocean freight timing |
| Dimensional weight | Never, actual weight only | Pallet footprint, not weight |
| Consolidation | Free up to 14 days | Free up to 14 days |
| Customs duty & 10% VAT | Same rates, based on tariff code, not mode | Same rates, based on tariff code, not mode |
| Door-to-door delivery | Included Bahamas-wide | Included Bahamas-wide |
Air freight, the $10 minimum covers small shipments.
Air freight, $1/lb is cheaper than a half pallet and arrives in 3–5 days to Nassau.
Mostly air, unless very bulky, compare the air cost against the $200 half pallet.
Ocean freight, a half or full pallet is cheaper per pound.
Air freight, it's the quicker option. For ocean, ask us about ocean freight timing.
Below ~200 lb, air at $1/lb is cheaper than ocean's $200 half pallet minimum. Above 200 lb or for furniture and appliances, ocean is cheaper per pound, a 500 lb full-pallet shipment costs $350 by ocean vs $500 by air.
Air shipping from arrival at our Fort Lauderdale warehouse: Nassau / New Providence 3–5 business days; Family Islands (including Abaco and Grand Bahama) 5–7 business days. For ocean freight, ask us about ocean freight timing.
No. Duty is based on tariff code (item category), not the mode of transport. 10% VAT applies to both. The customs processing fee is also the same.
Yes. Many customers fly small/urgent orders and consolidate furniture or building materials onto ocean pallets. Both ship from our Fort Lauderdale warehouse.
No, never. We bill actual weight only, so bulky but light items are billed by what they weigh.
A full pallet footprint is 48×40 inches up to ~72 inches tall (~3,000 lb capacity). A half pallet is 48×40×30 inches. Furniture, appliances, building materials, restaurant supply, and bulk inventory all palletize well.
Compare both on the rate card, or ask us about your shipment.
See the full rate cardComplete guide to US-to-Bahamas shipping.
Transit times, delivery zones and pickup.
Estimate duty, VAT, and freight in seconds.