Introduction to Shipping and Clearing Barrels in the Caribbean
Have ever thought about shipping a barrel to the Caribbean, or wondered why people send barrels in the first place? This Guide to Shipping and Clearing a Barrel in the Caribbean will answer all the burning questions you have about the process with easy to follow steps and some great tips.
In this quick read post you will learn about the history of shipping barrels and the reason behind it, what you need to collect a barrel, which items are prohibited, plus 5 easy steps to collecting and clearing a barrel in the Caribbean.
The History of Shipping a Barrel to the Caribbean
The history of shipping a barrel to the Caribbean, stems back to the 1960s when persons started emigrating away from the region. Lured by the prospect of higher paying job opportunities, or lulled by the thought of a better life overseas, they left in droves primarily to the UK, USA and Canada.
However, leaving it all behind for a better life abroad, often meant that vunerable family members were left back in the Caribbean. This often included leaving young children behind, who temporarily went into the care of family or friends. The long process and struggle of settling into a new life abroad, often required working hard for a number of years, before having the means to ‘send’ for family members to join them.
This prolonged separation lead to the practise of shipping a barrel to the Caribbean filled with groceries, clothes, toiletries, toys and necessities back home to loved ones.
The sending and receiving of a barrel ‘from farin’, became a symbol of love and support for the family. Keeping the familial ties strong, despite the distance between family members.
The gifting of much needed items from overseas took the place of physical presence.
Why do people send barrels?
The question of ‘Why do people send barrels?’ and ‘What is the purpose of a barrel?’ often come up in conversation, and you may be wondering the reason too!
The simple answer is because Caribbean people love supporting their families back home with a barrel of love. It’s also the most cost effective way of sending unique and top quality products back home, that are often expensive, or impossible to find in the local stores.
With the wealth of variety and cost effective price points in overseas stores, savvy shoppers from the Caribbean are able to snap up top quality goods for shipping a barrel to the Caribbean.
Whether sending down barrels for individual or business use, there are considerable savings and benefits when purchasing products to ship to the Caribbean from overseas.
How to Ship a Barrel to the Caribbean in 3 Easy Steps
- Firstly you will need to obtain a shipping barrel to carefully stow away the items you wish to ship. You can purchase shipping barrels by conducting a quick search online for packaging outlets and Shipping Agents near you.
- Once you have received your empty barrel, you must go about selecting goods and packing them carefully with the items that you wish to ship.
- The last step in the UK is to instruct a Shipping Company to collect your barrel and ship it to your Port of Destination in the Caribbean.
Shipping barrels come in a few different sizes, but the most popular size for shipping to the Caribbean is a 220 litre plastic barrel. As of 2024 the average price for a 220 litre shipping barrel is £60.00 to £70.00, although some companies may charge an additional delivery fee.
What do you need to collect a barrel in Jamaica?
If you want to collect or clear a barrel in Jamaica you need to carry 4 essential items to the wharf (actually 5 items, if you include patience!)
- Bill of Lading: If you didn’t receive this prior to the collection date, you can collect a copy from your Shipping Agent, Freight Forwarder, or Broker
- Photographic ID: It is essential that you carry Identification that EXACTLY MATCHES the name of the reciever; your passport, driving licence, or national ID are the only acceptable forms
- TRN Card: Otherwise known as your ‘Tax Registration Number’, this must also match the name of the Receiver
- MONEY: Whether you take hard cash, or plastic, you will need to carry enough funds to pay for the fees, taxes and customs duties to collect your barrel
Before you get down to the nitty gritty at the wharf, check the receipt or Bill of Lading you received from your Shipping Agent, Freight Forwarder or Agent, for the expected date of arrival.
Top Tip! Call your Shipping Agent, Freight Forwarder or Agent in Jamaica, to double check the barrel is ready for clearing before heading out. On the flip side, ensure you collect your cargo in a timely fashion to avoid additional storage fees!
These steps are similar for collecting barrels in other Caribbean countries, as most importing processess are universal and used throughout the world.
5 Easy Steps for Clearing and Collecting a Barrel in Jamaica
- Take your Bill of Lading (if you have one), Photographic ID (passport / driving licence / national ID), TRN card and MONEY to your Shipping Agents office at your chosen wharf – to pay necessary handling fees and collect your paperwork
- Take all the documents listed in item. 1 to the wharf building that is handling your barrel, and visit each of the desks that process your barrel collection, paying necessary fees
- Wait to be called to the inspection area, where your barrel will be opened in front of you and the contents looked over by customs officials
- After repacking the barrel, wait to be called to collect your paperwork outlining the import fees and customs charges. Pay the associated fees and collect your Gate Pass
- Head outside to your vehicle and enter the collection area at the wharf. Hand in your paperwork and await for barrel to be loaded into your vehicle. Finally show your Gate Pass to leave the wharf and head on home with your barrel!
What is the easiest way of Shipping a Barrel?
By far the easiest way of shipping a barrel is to leave it to the experts!
We offer a range of services from packing a barrel with items you have selected, to offering pre-selected grocery bundles to quickly fill a barrel with all the essentials.
With great prices and products selections, our bundles are ideal for sending a barrel of groceries when time is of the essence.
What are Pre-Selected Grocery Bundles?
Our Pre-Selected Grocery Bundles are designed to offer an easy solution to persons wishing to send a barrel of top quality British groceries to the Caribbean. Ideal for stocking the kitchen by shipping a barrel to the Caribbean for yourself, or loved ones with ease.
We take the hassle out of visiting the supermarket and selecting items to fill a shipping barrel with groceries destined for the Caribbean, by doing all the hard work for you. By hand selecting the best products and deals in the UK on your behalf, we offer economical and time saving solutions.
Coupled with our add-on PACK & SHIP Services, we pick and pack the items into a brand new 220 litre food grade shipping barrel. Then ship the barrel to your overseas port of destination in the Caribbean, ready for collection.
With weekly shipping schedules for most of the Caribbean from the UK, we will have your barrel picked, packed and shipped within short notice from our secure warehouse.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping and Clearing a Barrel
Q: What is the cheapest way to ship to Jamaica?
A: The cheapest way to ship a barrel from the UK to Jamaica is by sea freight. As of 2024 the price of shipping a barrel to Kingston, Jamaica is on average £90.00; dependant on the shipping agent and route chosen.
Q: How to label a barrel for shipping to Jamaica? Q: How do you address a barrel for shipping?
A: Use a black marker pen to write in large letters on the side and cover of the barrel: the receivers full name; as on their photographic ID, the address of the receiver, the nearest Post Office to their address, door number and street name (if possible), locality, parish, Jamaica, WI.
Example: Tesha Campbell, Ocho Rios Post Office, Bucksfield, Ocho Rios, Saint Ann, Jamaica, WI
Q: What can you not ship in a barrel?
A: You should only pack shelf stable, manufactured goods in a barrel that have at least 6 months best before date. Items that cannot be shipped include anything that needs refridgeration or freezing, baked goods, fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, home made goods, plants, organic matter, animals and humans – dead or alive.
Additionally, do not ship anything illegal or immoral, including guns, ammunition, flammable or explosive items, counterfeit goods, cash, or jewellery.
As every country has a it’s own list of prohibited items that cannot be imported, the best place to check is the local government website.
Have Questions? Need Answers?
Drop us a line and we will be happy to assist you!