Shipping your valuable cargo from the UK to Jamaica does not have to be a painful or expensive undertaking. Whether you’re sending gifts to family or friends, or moving your belongings to a second home abroad, shipping your items to the major ports of Kingston and Montego Bay really is easy and inexpensive; you just have to have the knowledge, which I am more than happy to share with you. According to December 2010 figures, there are over 150,000 Jamaican-born citizens living in the UK. There are also over 800,000 British citizens of Jamaican origin currently residing in the UK. With this in mind, many Jamaicans in the UK will at some point in their life need to send items “backyard”. When doing this, there are 5 main factors that people take into consideration.

» 1. Know how to choose a reliable shipping company

When you decide to submit your articles, it is always best to choose a company that has been recommended to you. There is nothing better than word of mouth or a personal recommendation from someone who has been satisfied with a shipping company that they have already used to ship cargo to Jamaica. You should always use a UK based shipping company that has been shipping cargo to Jamaica for at least 5 years as this shows that the company is obviously adept at getting their customers’ cargo there efficiently.

» 2. Know how to pack and measure your items before shipping

If you have a lot of items to ship, I recommend using barrels, boxes, or a container to ship your items based on their size and quantity. Most good shipping companies will provide (for free) or sell bubble wrap, tape, and zip-tie closures to protect your customers’ valuables while they’re being shipped. This ensures minimal to no damage to your valuables while they are being shipped. Before shipping your cargo, you will normally need to know the size of your goods (or barrel/box size), which is measured in cubic meters. You can calculate this by multiplying the length of your products times the width times the height. For example, 2 meters long x 1 meter wide x 1 meter high = 2 cubic meters.

» 3. Know the regularity with which the shipping company sends cargo to Jamaica

The best shipping companies usually maintain a weekly sailing schedule, sailing from the UK to Jamaica and will even have sailing dates over Christmas and New Years. It is recommended to choose a company that sails weekly to the Montego Bay ports as well as Kingston, giving you and the recipient on the other end more options.

4. Know how to insure your valuables against loss and/or damage

When shipping cargo anywhere in the world, whether it’s from the UK to Jamaica or from France to Bora Bora, you should always choose a carrier that offers cargo insurance or recommends a preferred carrier. This shows the nature of a shipping company that values ​​its customers’ cargo.

5. Know how reliable the agent on the other end is, once the cargo reaches Jamaica

The agent who receives the ocean freight once it arrives in Jamaica is almost as important as the shipping company itself, as they will take care of your goods at the other end and ensure that the consignee receives the goods safely. You can be sure that the agent on the other end is reputable if your chosen shipping company has at least 3-5 years of dealing with that agent in Jamaica. Good shipping companies will have spent years building good relationships with the best and most trusted agents in Kingston and Montego Bay. If in doubt, ask your shipping company how long they have been using the agent abroad.