Ocean Freight: Primary Routes and Ports

1. Chinese Ports of Departure

• Major ports: Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou offer container services to the Caribbean, routed through Miami (USA) or Kingston (Jamaica) for transshipment.
• Transit Times:
  • China → Grand Turk via Miami/Jamaica: 35–45 days (FCL/LCL). Due to the island’s small port size, transshipment to smaller vessels is often required at Nassau or Freeport (Bahamas).

2. Grand Turk Cargo Port

• Role: Handles imports of consumer goods, construction materials, and tourism supplies (e.g., hotel equipment, retail goods). Cruise ship cargo and yachting equipment are also processed here.
• Cargo Types:
  • LCL: Ideal for smaller shipments (e.g., electronics, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals); partner with San Logistics Limited (info@sangrupo.com) for consolidation in Miami or Jamaica.
  • FCL: Rare due to high costs, but suitable for large construction projects (e.g., resorts, infrastructure).
• Challenges:
  • Limited port hours and equipment (e.g., cranes) may cause delays. Buffer 2–3 weeks for critical shipments.

3. Customs and Documentation

• Required Documents:
  • Bill of Lading (B/L), commercial invoice (English), packing list, and certificate of origin (CO).
  • For vehicles, include a Certificate of Title and proof of insurance.
• Tariffs:
  • Import duties range from 7.5–20% of CIF value, plus a 10% environmental levy on non-biodegradable goods (e.g., plastics).
  • Duty exemptions apply to medical supplies and educational materials—consult San Logistics Limited for eligibility.

Air Freight: Expedited Solutions for Urgent Cargo

1. Chinese Airports and Routing

• Depart from Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), or Guangzhou (CAN), connecting through Miami (USA) or Fort Lauderdale to GDT.
• Cargo Airlines: Amerijet, DHL, and Caicos Express Airways offer scheduled services; charter flights available for urgent or oversized cargo (e.g., yacht parts, medical equipment).

2. Transit Times and Cargo Types

• China → Grand Turk:
  • 6–10 days via commercial flights; charter services reduce to 4–7 days.
• Ideal for:
  • Luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, perishables (e.g., gourmet food, fresh seafood), and urgent tourism supplies (e.g., event equipment, resort restocks).
• Restrictions:
  • GDT has limited cargo capacity, with no dedicated cargo terminal. San Logistics Limited coordinates with airlines for priority baggage hold space.

3. Documentation and Clearance

• Required: Air Waybill (AWB), detailed commercial invoice, and permits for restricted goods (e.g., alcohol, tobacco).
• Customs Processing: Typically 1–2 days, but delays are common due to manual inspections. San Logistics Limited provides pre-clearance support via its Miami office.

Inland Transport and Local Logistics

1. Road Transport

• Cockburn Town to Key Areas:
  • All resorts (e.g., Grand Turk Marriott, Ocean Club Resorts) and residential areas are within 15–30 minutes of the port/airport.
• Fleet Options with San Logistics Limited:
  • Secured vans for high-value goods (e.g., luxury watches, electronics to local boutiques).
  • Temperature-controlled trucks for pharmaceuticals or gourmet imports (e.g., to resort kitchens).
  • Same-day delivery services for urgent parcels within Grand Turk.

2. Logistics Partnerships

• Recommended Provider:
  • San Logistics Limited (info@sangrupo.com) for end-to-end solutions:
    • Transshipment coordination in Miami/Jamaica and customs clearance at GDT.
    • LCL consolidation and warehousing in Miami, with final delivery to Grand Turk via weekly cargo flights/ferries.
    • Last-mile delivery to resorts and commercial clients via local couriers.

3. Special Considerations

• Yacht and Cruise Logistics:
  • For yacht supplies, San Logistics Limited arranges direct delivery to Grand Turk’s marinas (e.g., Grand Turk Yacht Club) with customs priority.
• Disaster Preparedness:
  • During hurricane season (June–November), San Logistics Limited offers expedited shipping and storage in hurricane-proof warehouses in Miami.

4. Security and Insurance

• High-value cargo is insured against theft, damage, or storm-related delays. San Logistics Limited provides all-risk coverage, including protection for tropical storms.

Critical Tips for Shipping to Grand Turk

1. Peak Tourism Season:
   • Plan shipments 4–6 weeks ahead of winter holidays (December–April) to avoid port/airport congestion and ensure resort stock availability.
2. Duty Optimization:
   • Utilize duty exemptions for tourism-related imports by providing proof of business affiliation with local resorts. San Logistics Limited assists with documentation.
3. Documentation Accuracy:
   • Invoices must specify “Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos” as the destination and include a local contact’s phone number. San Logistics Limited reviews all documents to avoid customs rejections.
4. Sustainability Compliance:
   • The Turks and Caicos prohibit single-use plastics in certain areas. San Logistics Limited offers eco-friendly packaging solutions, such as biodegradable peanuts and recyclable boxes.

• Reach San Logistics Limited at info@sangrupo.com for tailored quotes, including “LCL luxury goods to Grand Turk” or “urgent medical supplies to GDT.” Specify cargo type and urgency for optimized routing and compliance with island regulations.