Christopher Columbus was the first European to advertise the beauty of The Bahamas to the world. Since then, this archipelago, which stretches across 800 km of tropical paradise, has become a dream destination for scuba divers. As a result, it derives a large part of its income from tourism, and along with banking, The Bahamas is the third wealthiest country in the Americas.
E-commerce is on the rise in The Bahamas, and Bahamians make good use of eBay and Amazon for their purchases. This is good news for Canadian shippers - a rich, English-speaking Commonwealth nation sitting only a hop, skip, and a jump from the Florida coast.
Shipping Rates
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to The Bahamas
through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to The Bahamas. 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 The Bahamas
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 The Bahamas before shipping any
goods.
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 21, 2026
8:49 am
San Andros, SA, BS
Delivered
Feb 20, 2026
7:18 am
West End, WE, BS
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
9:03 pm
Freeport, FR, BS
International Clearance
Feb 19, 2026
8:14 am
Lucaya, LU, BS
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
12:17 am
Nassau, NA, CA
In transit
Feb 18, 2026
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
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:
There are no exemptions on gift shipments sent to The Bahamas. All
goods shipped to The Bahamas require registration through customs
through the Click2Clear system, including gifts.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
Gift shipments sent from an individual in Canada to an individual in
The Bahamas will incur duty and taxes regardless of their value.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
Because gifts are not exempted from duty or taxes in The Bahamas, a
gift shipment sent from a business address in Canada to a business in
The Bahamas will also incur duty and taxes.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
Gift shipments sent from a business in Canada to an individual in The
Bahamas will incur duty and taxes since there are no value exemptions
for gifts.
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
Leonard M. Thompson Yamacraw Hill Rd. Nassau Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-364-1567
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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 you send more than one gift in one shipment, be sure to wrap and
tag each gift individually. All gifts in the parcel, regardless of
their value, will be charged duty and taxes.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Leonard M. Thompson Yamacraw Hill Rd. Nassau Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-364-1567
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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
Equipment sent to The Bahamas from Canada for repairs or renovation
may be exempt from duty provided it is under warranty and it abides by
customs regulations.
Items Under Warranty
Equipment shipped to The Bahamas for repair while under a warranty
will be exempt from duty provided it meets the following conditions:
Item repaired is not intended for use in The Bahamas
Item is re-exported within 3 months of the date of importation
Shipper provides information on the approximate date on which item
will be re-exported
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Equipment that is no longer under warranty and is returning to Canada
from The Bahamas after repairs will be charged GST on the value of the
repair and on any new parts required to complete the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to The Bahamas
Equipment sent to The Bahamas from Canada for repair or renovation
will be exempt from duty provided they meet the criteria below:
The repaired items are not destined for use in The Bahamas
Goods are re-exported to Canada within 3 months of the date of
importation
A temporary bond is placed to cover the value of the import charge
of the equipment
Returning Repaired Product to The Bahamas
Equipment repaired in Canada under a warranty will not incur duty when
it re-enters The Bahamas.
For detailed information, visit the Bahamian Customs by clicking here.
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 The Bahamas or exported to Canada (depending on
which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Leonard M. Thompson Yamacraw Hill Rd. Nassau Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-364-1567
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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 shipped to The Bahamas as temporary imports from Canada are
exempt from duty charges providing:
A temporary, refundable bond* is placed to cover the value of the
import charge
Goods are re-exported in accordance to the type of merchandise
Examples of items often shipped as temporary imports include:
Goods for business meetings or conventions
Samples of travelling salesmen
Equipment and goods for amusement park operators
Tools and machines required for repair work
Equipment used in film production or other short-term activities
NOTE: An import tax of 10% is applied every
90 days.
*There is a processing fee of 1% of the CIF Value (minimum $10 BSD to
a maximum of $500 BSD: $12 - $600 CAD) is associated with the
temporary import approval process. For additional detailed information
on this process, click here.
ATA Carnets
At this time The Bahamas does not accept ATA Carnets for temporary
imports.
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
Leonard M. Thompson Yamacraw Hill Rd. Nassau Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-364-1567
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2027
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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 Bahamian recipients of sold goods, including online shoppers, must
be registered with The Bahamas Click2Clear system.
Occasional Shipper
Even if you only ship sold goods occasionally to The Bahamas from
Canada, we recommend you consult with a licenced Bahamian customs
broker. All recipients in The Bahamas must be registered on the
government's Click2Clear system.
Regular Shipper
For detailed information on shipping sold goods to The Bahamas we
recommend you consult a licenced Bahamian customs broker. For further
information click here.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Leonard M. Thompson Yamacraw Hill Rd. Nassau Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-364-1567
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 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 The Bahamas. A COO
proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in
Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into The Bahamas, 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.
Duty and taxes on goods shipped to The Bahamas are calculated using the
CIF value of the shipment, i.e. the sum of the customs value plus
freight costs plus insurance charges.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value, you will be able to predict the duty and taxes
charged to the recipient.
Thresholds
The Bahamas does not have a threshold or de minimis value on imports.
This means all imports, regardless of value, will incur duty and
taxes.
Currency
Bahamian Dollar BSD
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
12%
Tax Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
In The Bahamas, customs duty ranges between 0% and 220% and is
applicable on all imports. The average rate of duty is 5% to 35%.
Specific rates of duty are also applicable to some items (mostly
alcoholic beverages and tobacco products).
Excise Taxes
Excise taxes are imposed on imported goods such as tobacco products
and alcoholic beverages.
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.
Shipping to The Bahamas from Canada can take between 1-3 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.
