Shipping Cars to Haiti from Miami

Officially known as the Republic of Haiti, this small country is located in the Greater Antilles island chain of the Caribbean Sea on the island of Hispaniola. It shares this island with the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti to the east. In the early 19^th century, Haiti defeated French colonial control and slavery, becoming the first black-led republic and independent Caribbean state in the world.

Unfortunately, dictatorships, chronic instability, and frequent natural disasters in recent decades have made Haiti one of the poorest countries in the Americas. They experienced their worst earthquake in 200 years back in 2010 when a magnitude 7.0 struck the nation, killing more than 200,000 people.

Although this small island country is no stranger to tragedy, it is not without its positive attributes. The people of Haiti are very resilient, always rising to the occasion with grace and determination whenever faced with struggle. Furthermore, Haiti was once the most popular tourist spot in the Caribbean. With its crystal blue waters and awe-inspiring beaches, tourism still remains the top money maker in the country. Heading to Haiti for a beach vacation is a great way to help stabilize and boost their economy. In addition to the beaches, Haiti has more mountains than any other area in the Caribbean. They provide spectacular views while lounging on the beach and basking in the hot sun.

Shipping a Car to Haiti from Miami

There may be a number of reasons as to why you need to ship a car to Haiti. Whether you are moving to this small island nation, planning an extended stay, or are an auto manufacturer looking to transport vehicles to Haiti, we’re here to help. Shipping a car to Haiti from Miami can be a daunting endeavor, especially if you don’t have all the required legal paperwork and documentation ready. Undoubtedly, the process of shipping a car to Haiti is simplified when you work with a professional auto transport company. The shipping company will manage all the essential paperwork and ensure that your vehicle is successfully imported while you can focus your attention on other important tasks. 

Customs clearance in the Republic of Haiti is a very involved and time-consuming process. However, with the proper planning, knowledge of the complexities involved, and help from your auto transport company, it can become a stress-free procedure. Thankfully, due to the close proximity to the United States, shipping cars to Haiti from Miami can generally be done at a comparatively low cost. When you ship out of Miami, you can expect to pay much less than if you were to ship out of any other ports in the U.S.

When it comes to the port that will receive your car in Haiti, Port-au-Prince is typically the most popular, as it is located in the nation’s capital. However, you can choose from any of the following prevalent shipping ports in Haiti:

• Aux Cayes
• Cap-Haitian
• Carrefour
• Croix-des-Bouquets
• Fort Liberte
• Les Cayes
• Miragonane
• Port-au-Prince
• Port-de-Paix

The requirements for bringing a car to Haiti will vary based on your purpose for import. Whether it’s for personal use, business, or organizational, you will have different legal documents and/or taxes and duties to pay.

Transporting A Car To Haiti – Documents & Visa Details

Arguably, the most challenging part about relocating a car to Haiti is dealing with the customs and ensuring that you collect all the necessary paperwork. The following are the standard documents that are required for importing a car internationally. However, depending on the type of vehicle, its specifications, and what its purpose will be in the country, you may be required to present additional paperwork.

• Passport or visa
• The vehicle’s original Title
• A copy of your driver’s license
• Bill of sale
• A comprehensive cargo manifest
• Ocean bill of lading
• Point of origin and destination

Please note: Depending on the length and purpose of your visit to Haiti, U.S. citizens may not be required to have a visa. However, a valid passport is absolutely necessary.

Haiti’s Import Taxes and Duties

Understanding the taxes and duties required for importing a car to Haiti is key to keeping your shipping process efficient and your costs down to a minimum. Taxes for standard vehicle imports to Haiti are charged based on the value of the vehicle. The taxation rates range from between 5% and 20%, increasing in increments of 5%. Vehicles that are worth $2,000 and up are required to pay a maximum tax of 20%. Whereas, a tourist tax of 10% must be paid when transporting any used vehicle into Haiti.

Note: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are excluded from paying import taxes but are still required to pay an inspection fee when importing a vehicle to Haiti.

Keep in mind that there is also a daily fee for any vehicles that are housed in temporary storage while paperwork and documents are being sorted out with customs. Make sure that you factor in this possible extra cost when you are establishing your transport budget.

Before you begin working with your transporter, get in touch with the United States Office of the Embassy of Haiti. They will provide you with any other relevant information to ensure that your car is imported successfully into the country without any snags along the way. Also, if you happen to experience any legal problems or general difficulties during customs clearance in Haiti, the Haitian Embassy in the U.S. can provide you with a list of attorneys to help aid you in the import process.

Miami to Haiti Auto Shipping Options

Once you’ve sorted out the paperwork that you need to have prepared, you’ll likely find yourself wondering what auto shipping methods are available when shipping a car to Haiti from Miami. These are your options:

• RoRo Shipping (Roll On/Roll Off): The open-air shipping service is the cheapest and most popular option available for overseas auto transport. Whether it’s a large vehicle, compact car, or heavy machinery, it must be able to drive onto and off of the ship via a ramp.
• Container Shipping: This method is generally used for those that desire more protection for their vehicle during transport. With container shipping your cargo is fully protected from the elements, and will usually end up costing you more money than other shipping options. In this case, your vehicle must fit within a 40 ft. cargo container in order to use this shipping option.
• LoLo Shipping (Lift On/ Lift Off): Instead of being driven on with RoRo shipping, this transport method involves your vehicle being lifted on and off the cargo ship. This open is also an open-air service and is generally recommended for exceptionally heavy equipment or inoperable vehicles.
• Flat Rack Shipping: With flat rack shipping, your vehicle or equipment is secured using an open metal frame. Your vehicle is first secured to the large metal frame and then placed on top of the ship where it will remain until it reaches the port in Haiti. To unload, the entire frame with your cargo is lifted off of the boat.

At Ship Vehicles, we ship cars worldwide and make several trips a year between Miami and Haiti. If you need to ship a car to Haiti from Miami, look no further than Ship Vehicles for the job. Call us today to receive your free quote and find out how you could save up to 20% on your next transport.