FAQs on Exporting and Importing in the Caribbean
What are the basic shipping and customs procedures in the Caribbean?
A shipper must know if the goods have been approved for export by the Government Certifying Authority, and a Certificate of Origin must be obtained. Goods must be labeled by the exporter and note the country of origin, materials, description, and be properly marked and addressed. Documents including invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, and export documentation must be prepared. The goods must also be inspected by Shippers and Customs in the exporting country.
What is a Bill of Lading?
A Bill of Lading is a document signed by a carrier which serves as a shipper's receipt of goods, and has a description of the goods. It also serves as a temporary title document. The exporter's Employer ID Number (EIN) must be on the Bill of Lading as well as the value of the cargo.
What other documents and licensing are needed for export from Puerto Rico?
There is no license needed for exporting to Puerto Rico; however, an exporter needs to fill out a Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) which is issued by the Bureau of the Census. If the shipment is continuing on past Puerto Rico to a foreign country, the exporter must obtain an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) to determine if they do need a license. A Customs Bond is also needed, and it is recommended that an exporter works with a customs broker to ensure that these are filled out completely.
What are tariffs and duties, and how do you find out what the rates are?
A tariff is a price charged for a commodity being shipped between destinations, or it can be the tax, or duty rate determined by country, by product. The Department of Commerce Trade Information Center can give the information about what each country's rates are.
What are some restrictions and what customs laws must be followed for compliance when exporting and importing in the Caribbean?
The Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) is a part of the Department of Homeland Security, and they require and enforce regulations in international trade. Each Caribbean location can have its own restrictions to be followed, and information and customs laws on each can be found at http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/ As of October 1, 2008, U.S. exporters must file export data electronically through AES or AESDirect. This Electronic Export Information, or EEI, was determined by the U.S. Census Bureau. There is also a twenty- four hour rule that requires all importers to submit details of the contents of cargo twenty- four hours before it is loaded onto the vessel.
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