Key terms explained — from Bill of Lading to waybill.
A large plastic drum used to ship goods to the Caribbean. Standard barrels are typically 85–90 cm tall.
A legal document issued by the carrier detailing goods being shipped. Acts as a receipt and title document.
Cargo shipped as individual units rather than in containers. Most barrel shipments are consolidated break bulk freight.
Caribbean Community , a trade bloc. CARICOM members may receive preferential customs treatment for certain goods.
The legal responsibility of the supplier/agent for loss or damage during transit. Check the level of cover before booking.
Cost, Insurance and Freight , the quoted price includes goods cost, insurance and freight to the destination port.
Combining multiple customers' barrels into one shipment. Most UK Caribbean barrel suppliers/agents operate on a consolidated basis.
A tax levied by the destination country on imported goods. The rate varies by country and goods type.
Obtaining permission to import goods into a country. Your barrel must clear customs before it can be delivered.
A licensed agent who handles customs documentation and clearance on behalf of the importer. Some Caribbean suppliers/agents include a broker in their service; others pass the cost to you.
The supplier/agent collects from your home in the UK and delivers to an address in the destination country.
A local agent or company in the destination country responsible for receiving and distributing cargo on behalf of the supplier/agent. In Caribbean shipping, some suppliers/agents use local distributors to handle final-mile delivery.
You deliver the barrel to the supplier/agent's depot yourself, rather than having it collected.
Full Container Load , you book an entire container. Rarely used for single barrel shipments.
A company that arranges transportation on behalf of customers, using a network of carriers and agents.
Less than Container Load , your goods share a container with other customers. Most barrel shipping is LCL.
A document listing shipment contents, required by customs. You may need to declare what is in your barrel.
The port in the destination country where your barrel arrives and passes through customs.
The supplier/agent covers transportation between ports only. Collection and local delivery are not included.
Goods transported by ship. The majority of Caribbean barrel shipments travel by sea freight.
The company transporting your barrel from the UK to the destination country. A supplier/agent may own their own vessels or act as a freight forwarder using third-party carriers. In the barrel shipping community, "supplier/agent" and "freight forwarder" are often used interchangeably.
A charge applied when goods are held at port or warehouse beyond the free storage period.
Time from collection to arrival at the destination port. Does not include customs clearance time.
Taxpayer Registration Number , required in some Caribbean countries (particularly Jamaica) for customs clearance.
A document describing the shipment and destination. Similar to a Bill of Lading but not a title document.
The most common service types explained — so you know exactly what you're paying for.