Must-Knows for Shipping Cargo to the Dominican Republic & the Caribbean

With direct shipping routes to many Caribbean ports, Jacksonville, Florida acts as a strategic gateway for cargo bound for the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and many other Caribbean islands. If you’re moving freight to one of these destinations, we’ll show you what you need to know for simple, efficient, and budget-friendly cargo movement.

Key Facts: The Port of Jacksonville/JAXPORT

To help you keep your Caribbean cargo moving, you’ll find our shipping tips below.

#1: Choose the Right Ocean Freight Service Between Jacksonville & Caribbean

Ocean freight carriers out of Jacksonville offer a few different services for shipping cargo to the Caribbean, including containerized cargo service, breakbulk cargo service, and RoRo (roll on/roll off) service for cars, trucks, buses, and even boats.

Where containerized cargo service to the Caribbean is concerned, you’ll encounter two options. Each offers pros and cons, so you’ll want to review each service carefully before making a decision:

FCL service means booking a dedicated container for your Caribbean cargo. You can use the entire container space as you please, and no one else’s items will be loaded inside.

The Pros of FCL Service to the Caribbean:

• FCL shipments offer economies of scale, which means a lower shipping price per unit.
• FCL shipments can move faster since you won’t need to wait on anyone else’s cargo to arrive before the shipment is cleared to move.
• Finally, FCL service can offer some extra security for high-value cargo and reduce potential handling or damage. Your cargo is loaded, the container is sealed, and it’s sent on its way.

The Cons of FCL Service to the Caribbean:

• For smaller loads, FCL won’t be a cost-effective solution.
• If you need to move a small shipment fast, LCL may be a better option, depending on your freight forwarder’s consolidation schedule. (More on that next!)

LCL freight shipping, also known as a consolidation, is a service provided by freight forwarders that allows shippers to share space in a container. Forwarders gather smaller shipments headed for the same destination, load them all into a container, move them via ocean freight, unpack them at a warehouse, and then make them available for pick-up and delivery. You might think of it as carpooling for freight.  

The Pros of LCL Service to the Caribbean:

• When you have a smaller shipment, LCL shipping will be cheaper than paying for a dedicated container for that cargo.
• In some cases, moving an LCL shipment can be faster. You won’t need to wait to assemble enough freight to fill an entire container, and, if a forwarder has almost completed their load, your cargo might move quickly.

The Cons of LCL Service to the Caribbean:

• Your shipping price per unit can be higher with LCL service, since it’s not as cost-efficient as FCL shipping.
• Your cargo will be loaded and unloaded around other shippers’ cargo, which can potentially expose it to damage.
• If you choose a forwarder that doesn’t ship to your destination often, your cargo may sit for a while until the forwarder assembles a full load, resulting in longer timelines.

#2: Understand the Timelines to the Dominican Republic & Other Caribbean Ports

To get a sense of the potential timeline of your Caribbean shipment, start with ocean freight transit times from Jacksonville, Florida, one of the main gateway ports from the US.

As a reminder, transit time refers only to the time it takes a ship to move from the origin port to the destination port. There are a few other factors that will impact your timeline including:

• Freight cut-offs, the deadline by which a carrier or forwarder needs your freight, which can be 24-48 hours (or longer) before the vessel leaves the origin port.
• Sail dates, which may be weekly (or less frequent to some destinations). If you hand over your freight on a Tuesday, if the sail date isn’t until Friday, your cargo won’t move until then.
• Loading and unloading time at origin and destination, subject to port schedules.
• Deconsolidation, the process of unpacking an LCL shipment and making it available for delivery or pickup.
• Delivery timelines, subject to availability and scheduling.

For a more precise timeline for your cargo, talk to a freight forwarder or reach out to our expert team. In the meantime, these transit times will give you a broad sense of the timeline you might be looking at for major Caribbean destinations:

Spotlight: Dominican Republic Cargo Shipping

With more than 11 million residents—and an economy expected to grow by 5.1% in 2024—the Dominican Republic offers potential for businesses looking for growth opportunities.

Main Ports in the Dominican Republic:

• Port of Caucedo
• Port of Río Haina
• Port of Santo Domingo
• Port of Puerto Plata

Main Imports:

• Refined petroleum
• Petroleum gas
• Cars
• Crude petroleum
• Coal briquettes

Main Exports:

• Medical instruments and appliances
• Gold
• Rolled tobacco
• Low-voltage protection equipment
• Ferroalloys

Main Trading Partners: The United States, China, Switzerland, Haiti, Brazil, India, Spain and Colómbia.

(Sources: 1, 2)

#3: Get Your Documentation in Order for Easy Customs Clearance

Whenever you’re moving international freight, it’s essential to have all your paperwork in order so you can quickly and easily clear any import, export, or customs procedures along the way.

A good freight forwarder will help you assemble all the correct paperwork for your Caribbean cargo shipment. This usually includes:

• A commercial invoice, which details the quantity and value of the items in the shipment. Customs officials will use this invoice to determine any duties or taxes owed.
• A bill of lading, which your forwarder will create to ensure your cargo gets where it needs to go. This document lists the shipper and consignee, plus any special instructions.
• A packing list that lists all of the shipment’s specs, including quantities, dimensions, and weights.
• A certificate of origin that shows the country of manufacture.

If you’re shipping hazardous materials—or restricted materials—you may need to supply additional documentation, such as a material safety data sheet (MSDS). Ask your forwarder for more details.

Your Next Caribbean Shipment Made Easy

If you’re moving cargo to the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, or another Caribbean destination, our experts would be happy to assist. We’ll help you find the right solutions that align with your timeline—and your budget.

Just reach out for a complimentary quote to get started.