What you can ship to the Aboca Islands

Sorry, but you have to keep that 'ship' at home

If you didn’t know, the same laws apply to smaller private shipping firms to that of their bigger competitors, like USPS, DHL and UPS. Now, before you try and ship your expensive wine collection from your house in the states to your new vacation home in the Alboca Islands, Bahamas, make sure you know what you can ship, legally.

The Bahamian Government’s website has listed what you can and cannot ship so you won't get mad when told you can’t ship your guns and ammunition.

Some of the stuff you can import: up to 200 cigarettes, 1 quart of win or spirit, and any kind of personal items.

Some stuff you can’t bring into the Bahama’s: plant or plant products, meat or meat products, illegal drugs, and although you may think it’s personal, you can’t ship pornographic materials.

If you have any more information on what you can ship, call +1-242-325-6550 or visit www.bahamas.gov.bs. Then, when you figure out your shipping needs, contact Arawak Agency and they’ll ship it for you. 

Shipping on the air

Shipping Wars on A+E

Have you seen A+E’s Shipping Wars? It’s a show where shipping brokers, or truck drivers, bid to ship items across the United States, with one exception – these items are usually weird, gigantic and in need to get to its destination on deadline.

Although Arawak Agency makes it easy to ship goods, but sometimes on the show, it’s not.

On the show, which follows six shippers on their voyage to drop off goods they bid on through reverse auction service, UShip, they incorporate any and every kind of problems imaginable. Whether the item they want to ship doesn’t fit on their rig, their truck breaking down or damaged goods when the item is in transit, the show portrays what could go wrong and what does go wrong when shipping.

Check out this episode where one of the brokers has to ship a young calf and piglets across the country.

But for as hard as they think they have it, driving freight cross country, they can’t ship good through the air or through water like Arawak Agency can. Then when your item reaches the Aboca Islands, Arawak does local delivery to make sure your item reaches its destination safely.

Marsh Harbour International Airport

Big changes at Marsh Harbour International 

Marsh Harbour International Airport (MHH) is one of two airports that serve the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas and is the more popular of the two. In 2009, Marsh Harbour put in a new 6,100 x 100-foot runway and will use the old runway as a taxi for planes. Also recently, Marsh Harbour is adding a new terminal to their growing airport. A new terminal, air traffic control tower and fire/crash facility will be added.

“Abaco’s population has grown 21 percent in the past 10 years, and this airport will benefit Abaco and all of the Bahamas,” said Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in the report.

Along with charter flights, like Cherokee Air, American Eagle, Bahamasair, Locair, SkyBahamas, United Express and Western Air are all commercial airlines that fly into Marsh Harbour. Destinations from

Marsh Harbour include Miami, Nassau, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach and St. Petersburg.

Cherokee Aviation is a Fixed-Base Operator at Mash Harbour.

In 2001, Marsh Harbour International airport was the site where R+B singer Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash at the airport. The cause of the crash is unknown, but it's obvious the airport has moved on from the tragedy. 

Treasure Cay Airport is the other airport that serves Abaco. 

Moving? Need goods? Consult a broker

  Government suggests consulting a shipping broker

If you live or planning to live in Abaco, Bahamas, you’re going to need something shipped in. In fact, 90 percent of all goods are shipped into the Bahamas.

So when shipping to an island, what’s best? Shipping by sea or by air?

Fortunately, a great site in Export.gov, a US government-ran website, combined with Arawak Agency con give you tips or advice on the best way to ship.

In fact, the US Government suggests consulting a freight forwarder for advice on shipping, like Arawak Agency. Each member of the Arawak Agency shipping team has over 10 years of experience, so they can help you to understand what way to ship your goods is best for you. 

For more information about Arawak Agency, click here.