Barbados is perhaps the most British of the Caribbean island nations, and may explain why cricket is its national sport. This nation's cricket obsession has no doubt helped to foster and produce numerous outstanding Barbadian cricketers over many decades including the famous three Ws - Walcott, Weekes, and Worrell.
Barbados has a well-developed mixed economy, and the result has been a high percentage of Barbadians with internet or internet-connected mobiles. And as Canada is home to many ex-patriate Barbadians, now is easier than ever for them to send parcels to the lucky ones in the sun and on the beach.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Barbados through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Barbados. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Barbados
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 2, 2023
8:49 am
Holetown, HO, BB
Delivered
Jun 1, 2023
7:18 am
Oistins, OI, BB
In transit
May 31, 2023
9:03 pm
Speightstown , SP, BB
International Clearance
May 31, 2023
8:14 am
Bridgetown, BR, BB
In transit
May 31, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 30, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Barbados before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
All gift shipments entering Barbados from Canada will incur duty and taxes regardless of the value of the parcel. There or no thresholds below which no duty or taxes will be charged.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment from an individual in Canada to an individual in Barbados will be liable to duty and taxes even if it is a low value item.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
Gift shipments from a business in Canada to a business in Barbados will incur duty and taxes regardless of the value of the shipment.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
If a business in Canada sends a gift parcel to an individual in Barbados, it will have duty and taxes applied to it no matter its value.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Garfield Sobers Fontabelle Rd. St. Michael, Bridgetown BB11149 Barbados
Phone: +1 246-227-2651
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If your shipment contains multiple gifts, be sure to wrap and tag each gift separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Garfield Sobers Fontabelle Rd. St. Michael, Bridgetown BB11149 Barbados
Phone: +1 246-227-2651
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Garfield Sobers Fontabelle Rd. St. Michael, Bridgetown BB11149 Barbados
Phone: +1 246-227-2651
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples shipped by a commercial traveller may enter Barbados exempt from duty though either a refundable duty deposit or bond will be required by customs officials.
The traveller must ensure that the samples:
Are of negligible value
Are returned to Canada within 3 months of their entry into Barbados
Are not sold whilst in Barbados
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Garfield Sobers Fontabelle Rd. St. Michael, Bridgetown BB11149 Barbados
Phone: +1 246-227-2651
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment and machinery shipped to Barbados for repair will be exempt from duty charges provided the items are returned to Canada within 1 year of their entry into Barbados.
Items Under Warranty
Goods shipped to Canada for repair under warranty will be exempt from GST on both the repair charges and any parts required to make the repairs.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Machines and equipment that are no longer under warranty will incur GST on the value of the repair work and on any parts used during the repair process.
Sending Product for Repair to Barbados
If you send products for repair to Barbados, they will be duty-free as long as they stay in Barbados no longer than 1 year.
Returning Repaired Product to Barbados
If products no longer under warranty are repaired in Canada and returned to Barbados, they will be charged Canadian GST on the value of the repair and on any parts that were used to effect the repair.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Barbados or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Garfield Sobers Fontabelle Rd. St. Michael, Bridgetown BB11149 Barbados
Phone: +1 246-227-2651
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Goods of a temporary nature - commercial samples for display at trade fairs or exhibitions - may enter Barbados exempt from duty charges provided they leave the country within 3 months of their entry.
NOTE: A security deposit will be required to cover the amount of duty owed.
ATA Carnets
ATA Carnets are not accepted by Barbadian customs for the temporary importation of goods.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Garfield Sobers Fontabelle Rd. St. Michael, Bridgetown BB11149 Barbados
Phone: +1 246-227-2651
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
All imports entering Barbados with a value of $50 BBD (about $30 CAD) or more will incur duty and VAT.
Occasional Shipper
Even occasional shipments of sold goods to Barbados will have duty and VAT applied to them if their value is greater than $50 BBD (about $30 CAD). This includes items sold on sites such as eBay.
Regular shipper
Regular shippers of sold goods to Barbados are highly recommended to consult a Barbadian licenced customs broker to ensure all parties are adhering to customs regulations.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Garfield Sobers Fontabelle Rd. St. Michael, Bridgetown BB11149 Barbados
Phone: +1 246-227-2651
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Barbados. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Barbados, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Goods declared prohibited by Barbadian authorities are not allowed entry into the country. Restricted goods, on the other hand, are allowed entry into Barbados, but they may have rules to abide by or limits to the amount of goods that can enter.
Prohibited Items
Toy guns
Counterfeit coins, stamps
Opium and any equipment for using it
Fruit and vegetables
Any material or object considered indecent or obscene
The CIF value is the method by which duty and taxes are calculated on imports entering Barbados.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
If you were to calculate the CIF value of your shipment to Barbados, you would have an estimate of the taxes and duty owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
The threshold (also known as the de minimis value) on shipments entering Barbados is $50 BBD (about $30 CAD). This means that on shipments of $50 BBD or less, no duty or VAT will be incurred.
Currency
Barbadian Dollar BBD
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
$50 (about $30 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
17.5%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
$50 (about $30 CAD)
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
Wines and spirits as well as cigarettes, cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos will be liable to excise taxes when entering Barbados. The detailed values for these products can be found here.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Additional Resources
Questions about Shipping to Barbados
Can I ship to Barbados?
Shipping to Barbados from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
