9 minute read
Shipping Considerations
from Cayman Resident 2022
by Acorn Media
if you pay for them in advance online. WestJet charges CAD$35 for the first bag, CAD$60 for the second and CAD$100 each for third and fourth bags.
Shipping by Sea Transit time from Florida to Cayman is usually two to three days. You can ship your personal items through a shipping company (see below) or a freight forwarder. Upon arrival in Cayman, you or your freight forwarder of choice will be required to clear the shipment through Cayman Customs and the Port Authority and then arrange delivery.
Hyde Shipping Corporation Full containers: 1801 SE 28th Street, Port Everglades, FL 33316, USA US Tel: 1 (305) 913 4933 or Cayman Tel: (345) 947 4933 Email: caymanteam@hydeshipping.com www.hydeshipping.com Less than container loads (LCL): 3740 W 104th Street, Suite 1, Hialeah, FL 33018, USA US Tel: 1 (305) 913 4933 Hydes send both full containers and LCLs to Cayman every Monday and Thursday.
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Seaboard Marine Cayman 8001 NW 79th Avenue, Miami FL 33166 US Tel: 1 (305) 863 4444 Cayman Tel: (345) 949 4977 Email: info@seaboardcayman.com www.seaboardmarine.com/grand-cayman/ Seaboard ships less than container loads from Miami and Jamaica and full-container loads from Miami, Brooklyn (NY), Houston, Savannah and Jamaica to Grand Cayman. Shipping is also available from the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Far East and Europe.
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Tropical Shipping 9505 NW 108th Avenue, Medley, FL 33178 US Tel: 1 (305) 805 6620 Local Agents: Thompson Shipping Cayman Tel: (345) 949 8044 Email: sales@thompsonshipping.com Ships full containers or LCLs. Their ship leaves the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, for Grand Cayman every Tuesday and Friday.
SHIPPING CONSIDERATIONS
Import Duty Visitors and residents that are flying into the Island will no longer have to declare their goods through customs if they do not exceed the CI$500 goods allowance or the alcohol and tobacco quotas. If you’re entering Cayman to take up employment or residency for a period in excess of 12 months, your personal and household effects are admitted duty-free, although they must be imported within six months of arrival. The six-month period starts the moment you arrive, rather than the date your work permit is approved. For the import of used personal effects, you must complete a ‘Declaration For Unaccompanied Baggage’ form in addition to the Customs Import Entry form and produce proof of residency by way of a
work permit or other means. If you can’t import your household items within the six month window, it is possible to ask the Collector of Customs for an extension. You will need to write a letter to PO Box 898, Grand Cayman KY1-1103 or call: (345) 949 4579.
Most mail-order items will be charged 22% duty and any gifts sent by family and friends are also subject to duty. Common duty charges can range from 7% to 27%. Below is a list of common items and their duty rate. A full list can be found on https://online.gov.ky/cols/faces/colshtc.
Alcohol - CI$1.95 to CI$15.98 per litre Books – Free Cameras, binoculars, sunglasses – Free Cars – Between 0% and 42% Clothing and footwear – 22% Leather bags – Free Musical instruments – Free Toys – 22% Watches – 7% Antiques over 100 years old - 0%
Customs Clearance Clearing your household effects through Customs yourself is possible, but it can be quite complex, so we recommend that you do it through a customs broker. They are reasonably priced and know the process inside out. The cost is usually CI$75-$100. If you’d prefer to handle the process yourself, here is an overview of what you need to do:
> Before your shipment arrives, you will first need to pre-register on the new
Customs Online System (COLS) website (www.customs.gov.ky). Once you submit the request they will either approve the registration or they will advise, via email, what other documents are required. If approved, you will be given a COLS trader identification number (TIN) and login information. > You will then be able to log in to the COLS website where you must start the nine step process to declare your goods. Supporting
PDF documents needed will include invoices and the Bill of Lading/Airway Bill. Confirming the declaration will constitute as your electronic signature which will be legally binding. This process is subject to change as
Customs continually upgrade its systems. > Once the Customs entry has been approved and finalised by Customs, payment will have to be made at the Customs Department on
Owen Roberts Drive, Tel: (345) 949 4579, before collection. There is also a Government inspection fee of CI$100 on all containers and
CI$0.18 per cubic foot for less than container load shipments. > For air freight, you‘ll need to go to the
Customs Warehouse on Owen Roberts
Drive to collect your shipment. You will pay the warehousing fee, which depends on the weight and/or size of the package, whichever is greater. > For ocean cargo, once the shipment has been released by Customs, go to the Port
Authority on Portland Road, Industrial Park,
Tel: (345) 949 2055, to get clearance of your goods. Once all fees are paid, you can collect your shipment from the Port Authority.
They are open Monday-Friday 8.30am4.30pm and Saturday 8.30am-12pm. For a 20ft container, the fee is CI$384. For a 40ft container, the fee is CI$768 and prices will vary for less-than-container loads (LCL) based on the size and number of pieces in the shipment, calculated at CI$16.65 per 40 cubic feet and CI$7.20 per dock receipt. (Note: these prices are subject to change). Collect your items as soon as possible, as storage is charged after five days. > In the event that your goods are to be inspected, you will have to arrange an inspection time with the Customs
Inspection Unit and have your documents ready to show what has been declared.
DECIDING WHAT TO BRING & WHAT NOT TO BRING
Here are some basic guidelines to assist you in deciding what to bring to Cayman.
Clothing In Grand Cayman there are a reasonable selection of stores, but certainly not as many as in a large city and the prices will likely be more expensive than you are used to. Bring a reasonable amount of warm weather appropriate clothes and shoes with you. You may need a light sweater if you will be working in an air-conditioned building or when we are hit with a cold front. Bring a raincoat for the rainy season.
Computers, Phones & Tablets Laptops, smart phones and tablets/iPads are dutiable if they were recently purchased overseas. If you are travelling to and from Grand Cayman with electronic devices, you can register them so you are able to prove to Customs that these devices have not just been purchased abroad. Visit www.customs. gov.ky. See the Shopping chapter for details on where to buy electronic goods locally.
Electrical Appliances Cayman runs on the same electricity system as the US (110/115v), but uses a 3-pin plug. However, the US 2-pin plug will work. If your appliances run on 220v and they don’t have dual capability, they will not work in Cayman.
Importing Food Small quantities of meat and seafood can be imported as long as it is for personal use only. A ‘Certificate of Wholesomeness’ is required for seafood in excess of 20lbs and can be obtained by applying for an Import Permit from the Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture. Small quantities of meats (up to 25lbs) can be brought in by passengers in their luggage as long as the meat is from an approved country (Read more: www.gov.ky/ portal/pls/portal/docs/1/12702493.PDF), is pre-wrapped under a brand name and has the Official Seal of Inspection of the country’s Meat Inspection Authority. You can bring in coffee and herbs for personal use, as long as they are sealed in their original packaging. No fruit or vegetables can be brought into Cayman in luggage.
Furniture, Lighting & Appliances Rented condos or homes generally come with all the basic furnishing, lights and appliances needed. If you’re buying a house or apartment, they will also usually come fully furnished, unless they have been newly built. Bring personal accessories and smaller
items, like framed photographs etc. to help your new house feel like your own. Any larger pieces of furniture can be shipped from home later. There are some fantastic furniture and homeware stores in Cayman but think carefully before selling off good quality pieces of furniture or those with sentimental value. If you intend on buying new furniture overseas, you’ll have to pay for the shipping plus 22% duty.
Firearms/Weapons It is possible to import a firearm or your firearms collection to the Island, however, the Cayman Islands has very strict laws on the possession of unregistered firearms. It is illegal to possess a firearm without a Firearms Licence authorised by the Commissioner of Police. Punishment for this offence is severe with a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
To import, the applicant must complete a Firearms Licence and Import form, which can be obtained from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). In addition to providing the various supporting documents, the applicant will be required to declare that their firearm will be stored in a locked box or safe bolted to the wall and floor. The RCIPS reserve the right to inspect the safe, firearm and ammunition at any time. See the Sports & Fitness chapter for details on the Cayman Islands Gun Club.
You can also import a bow and arrow or your bow-and-arrow collection but all the same procedures for importing and storing a gun must be followed. The use of spear guns are also regulated. It is illegal to possess, use and import a spear gun without a licence from the Marine Conservation Board.
Kitchen Appliances Most rental apartments come with appliances such as a washer/dryer, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator and oven. A fully furnished apartment should also come with a toaster, kettle and coffee maker but if they don’t, then the local home centres stock these items. Check with your landlord beforehand so you know what will be included. Medication Be sure to pack at least a month’s supply of medication that needs to be taken daily while you organise your on-Island healthcare. Most medicines are available on Grand Cayman, although they may be sold under another brand name. Ask your GP for the generic names of prescription drugs. See the Health & Wellness chapter for a list of pharmacies. Wine Individuals can bring a maximum of four litres of wine in their luggage. If you want to import your wine collection from home you must bring it in through a company that has a liquor licence. Regardless of the value of your wine on the open market, the Cayman Islands Government charges the following duty per litre of wine: CI$10.80 for Champagne, CI$7.80 for sparkling wine, CI$3.60 for table wine and CI$5.25 for dessert wine.
We can accomodate the needs of every customer, large or small. • Twice weekly sailings from
PEV to GCM • Dry and refrigerated cargo • LCL (less than container load) & FCL (full container load) • Consolidations • Boats/Automobiles • Heavy equipment • Pallets, boxes and crates
