Shipping
The Caribbean is not one market. Each island has its own customs, its own taxes and, for cars, its own steering rules. If you are shipping from Dubai to the Caribbean, the details below will save you a lot of back and forth.
Shipping from Dubai to the Caribbean is done in full containers or by air. Containers leave Jebel Ali, change vessel at a large hub, and smaller islands are reached by feeder ship. Many islands drive on the left and require right-hand-drive cars, while most UAE cars are left-hand drive, so check before you buy a vehicle.
How cargo reaches the islands
Big container ships do not call at every island. Your cargo is loaded at Jebel Ali, carried to a major transhipment port, and then moved by feeder vessel to the island port. Kingston in Jamaica and Freeport in the Bahamas are two of the largest hubs in the region, which helps cargo reach those islands easily.
Because the feeder connection changes, we confirm the routing and transit time with each quote rather than printing a fixed figure. For urgent parts or small high-value cargo, air freight from Dubai starts at 45 kg.
Ports, airports and steering side by island
| Island | Main port | Drives on the | UAE cars fit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | Kingston | Left | No, right-hand drive required |
| Dominican Republic | Caucedo, Haina, Santo Domingo | Right | Yes, with an age limit |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain, Point Lisas | Left | No, right-hand drive required |
| Bahamas | Nassau, Freeport | Left | Check before you buy |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien | Right | Yes |
| Barbados | Bridgetown | Left | No, right-hand drive required |
| Saint Lucia | Castries, Vieux Fort | Left | Right-hand drive is the norm |
| Grenada | St. George’s | Left | Right-hand drive is the norm |
| Curaçao | Willemstad | Right | Yes, after inspection |
| Aruba | Barcadera | Right | Yes, after inspection |
Each island page lists the documents, taxes and FAQs for that market.
Planning a shipment to the islands?
Tell us the island, the cargo and the delivery address. We confirm the feeder routing and the cost.
Shipping a car to the Caribbean from Dubai
The steering side is the first thing to check. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados require right-hand-drive cars, and Saint Lucia and Grenada also drive on the left. Most cars sold in the UAE are left-hand drive, so they usually do not suit those islands.
The Dominican Republic, Curaçao, Aruba and Haiti drive on the right, so UAE cars are the right type. The Dominican Republic has an age limit on used cars, and Curaçao and Aruba inspect vehicles before registration.
We ship cars in containers, up to 6 in a 40ft, and by air when a car is needed quickly. Read about car shipping in containers.
Before you buy: send us the island, the year and the chassis number. We check the steering, age and duty rules with our partner office first.
Taxes on arrival
Every island adds its own consumption tax on top of duty. These are the main ones:
- Jamaica: General Consumption Tax (GCT) at 15%
- Dominican Republic: ITBIS at 18%
- Trinidad and Tobago: VAT at 12.5% on many goods
- Bahamas: VAT at 10%
- Barbados: VAT at 17.5%
- Grenada: VAT at 15% on many goods
- Curaçao and Aruba: turnover tax on top of duty
Our network partner office on each island confirms the duty for your goods before shipping.
What people ship to the Caribbean from Dubai
Building materials, generators, solar equipment, spare parts, electronics, furniture and household goods make up most of our Caribbean cargo. Trinidad’s energy industry also buys oil and gas equipment and machinery, which we ship on flat racks and open tops when needed. See heavy machinery shipping.
Haiti needs extra care. Port and airport operations there can change at short notice, so we check the situation and confirm the routing before you book.
Why ship with MegaSpeed Cargo
We are a Dubai freight forwarder with 40+ years in the industry. We load at our Jebel Ali facility, book the main and feeder legs, and our network partner office on the island clears and delivers. One team, one quote, door to door.
Caribbean shipping pages
Shipping to JamaicaShipping to the Dominican RepublicShipping to Trinidad and TobagoShipping to the BahamasShipping to BarbadosShipping to CuraçaoSea freight servicesCar shipping in containers
Frequently asked questions
Do you ship from Dubai to all Caribbean islands?
We ship to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Haiti, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Curaçao and Aruba, and can quote other islands on request.
How long does sea freight to the Caribbean take?
It depends on the hub and the feeder connection at the time of shipping. We confirm the transit time with each quote.
Can I ship a left-hand-drive car to Jamaica?
Jamaica requires right-hand-drive cars, and most UAE cars are left-hand drive. Ask us before you buy a car for Jamaica.
Which Caribbean islands accept UAE cars?
Islands that drive on the right, such as the Dominican Republic, Curaçao, Aruba and Haiti, suit left-hand-drive UAE cars. Age limits and inspections still apply.
Do you offer groupage to the Caribbean?
No. Our groupage runs to selected African cities only. For the Caribbean we ship full containers and air cargo from 45 kg.
Who handles customs on the island?
Our network partner office on each island clears and delivers the cargo, and we stay your contact from Dubai.
Get a Caribbean shipping quote
Send us the island, the cargo and the delivery address. We will come back with the routing and the cost.
