Shipping to the Bahamas from the USA runs on both USPS and UPS with no USPS service suspension in 2026, but USPS caps Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International parcels to the Bahamas at 22 pounds, far below most countries. Nearly every import pays customs duty plus 10% VAT, which the recipient settles before release, so an accurate customs value matters as much as the service you choose.
This guide covers which services run the lane, how long they take, how Bahamas customs charges imports, what you can’t send, and what changes when the address is on a Family Island rather than Nassau or Freeport. To price your parcel, compare live USPS and UPS rates to the Bahamas in the ParcelPath rate calculator.
Which carriers ship from the US to the Bahamas?
USPS’s country listing for the Bahamas shows Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International Service as available. Global Express Guaranteed has been suspended to the Bahamas since September 29, 2024. UPS serves the Bahamas with its Worldwide services and handles customs brokerage, which makes it the simpler choice for heavier boxes.
| Service | Expected delivery | Max weight to the Bahamas | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Worldwide Express / Worldwide Saver | Fastest option; time-definite | Per UPS package limits | Business orders, urgent and heavier parcels |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | A few days slower than Express | Per UPS package limits | Boxes over 22 lb that still need tracking |
| USPS Priority Mail Express International | 3 to 5 business days to many major markets | 22 lb; Flat Rate Envelope 4 lb | Urgent items to Nassau, Paradise Island or Freeport |
| USPS Priority Mail International | 6 to 10 business days | 22 lb; Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes 20 lb | Gifts and personal parcels |
| USPS First-Class Package International Service | Varies | 4 lb | Light, low-value items (no insurance) |
Priority Mail Express International only delivers to Freeport, Nassau and Paradise Island, so addresses elsewhere should go by Priority Mail International or UPS. Restricted Delivery and USPS Delivered Duty Paid aren’t available to the Bahamas. Our guide to USPS international shipping explains each USPS service in more detail.
Through ParcelPath you can buy USPS labels at up to 89% off and UPS labels at up to 85% off, with no subscription or per-label fee. ParcelPath issues USPS and UPS labels only. FedEx also serves the Bahamas if you book with it directly.
How long does shipping to the Bahamas take?
USPS lists Priority Mail International at 6 to 10 business days and Priority Mail Express International at 3 to 5 business days for many major markets. The Bahamas is close to Florida, but actual delivery depends mostly on customs clearance and on which island the address is on. UPS Worldwide Express services are the fastest option; the UPS time-in-transit tool gives a commitment for your ZIP code.
Parcels to Nassau (New Providence) and Freeport (Grand Bahama) arrive fastest. Deliveries to the Family Islands move onward by mail boat or small aircraft after clearance, which adds days. Peak season from mid-November through early January slows every service.
How are customs duty and VAT charged in the Bahamas?
The Bahamas has no income tax and relies on import duties and Value Added Tax, so almost everything shipped in is assessed. The US Commercial Service notes that VAT, introduced in 2015, is the government’s largest single revenue source and that import duties remain among the highest in the region, even after gradual cuts.
- Customs duty: set by product category under the Bahamas Tariff Act. The Bahamas Customs duty calculator lets the recipient estimate it by item.
- VAT: the standard rate is 10%, charged on the value of the goods plus duty, freight, insurance and other fees.
- Customs processing fee and environmental levy: a processing fee applies to most imports, and an environmental levy is added for certain goods.
The recipient normally pays all of these before Bahamas Customs releases the parcel. Describe each item specifically on the customs form and declare its true value: under-declaring is something Bahamas Customs actively checks for, and it can lead to holds or penalties. Commercial items also need the six-digit HS code that USPS has required since September 1, 2025.
What can’t you ship to the Bahamas?
The USPS International Mail Manual lists these items as prohibited in mail to the Bahamas:
- obscene or indecent articles, books, pictures and printed matter
- perishable infectious and noninfectious biological substances
- radioactive materials
- skimmed milk in tins
Priority Mail Express International to the Bahamas also excludes coins, banknotes, traveler’s checks, precious metals and stones, jewelry, watches and other valuables. Plants, fruit and vegetables generally need agricultural approval before import, and firearms, lithium batteries and medicines carry their own carrier and import restrictions.
What changes when you ship to a Family Island?
The Bahamas is an archipelago, and most delivery infrastructure is concentrated in Nassau and Freeport. Parcels for Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco, Andros, Long Island and the other Family Islands usually clear at a main gateway and then travel by inter-island mail boat or small aircraft, which can add days and sometimes a local handling charge.
- Address to the island and settlement, not just “Bahamas,” since onward routing depends on it.
- Include a local phone number so the recipient can be contacted to clear the parcel and arrange pickup or delivery.
- Use a P.O. Box if the recipient has one. Many Bahamian residents receive post at a box, and the Bahamas doesn’t use postal codes.
- Send perishables only to Nassau or Freeport, where transit is shortest and most predictable.
Shipping elsewhere in the region? See our guides to shipping to Barbados and the Dominican Republic, or the overview of shipping to the Caribbean. The shipping calculator guide explains how carriers price parcels by weight and size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to ship to the Bahamas from the USA?
For light items under 4 pounds, USPS First-Class Package International Service is usually the cheapest way to ship to the Bahamas, though it has no insurance. For gifts up to 22 pounds, USPS Priority Mail International is typically the lowest-cost tracked option. Boxes over 22 pounds can’t go by USPS, so use UPS for heavier shipments.
How long does shipping to the Bahamas take?
Shipping to the Bahamas takes about 6 to 10 business days with USPS Priority Mail International and around 3 to 5 business days with Priority Mail Express International to Nassau, Paradise Island or Freeport. UPS Worldwide Express services are faster. Customs clearance and onward transport to the Family Islands can add several days.
Do I have to pay duty and VAT on packages to the Bahamas?
The recipient usually does. Bahamas Customs charges import duty by product category, plus VAT at the standard 10% rate on the value of the goods, duty, freight and fees. Processing fees and environmental levies can apply too. The charges are paid before release, so tell the recipient what to expect before you ship.
What is the weight limit for USPS packages to the Bahamas?
USPS limits Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International parcels to the Bahamas to 22 pounds, with Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes capped at 20 pounds and Flat Rate Envelopes at 4 pounds. First-Class Package International Service is limited to 4 pounds. Heavier boxes need UPS.
Sources
- USPS International Mail Manual: Bahamas country listing
- USPS: International Mail and Shipping Services
- USPS International Service Alerts
- US International Trade Administration: Bahamas Import Tariffs
- Bahamas Customs and Excise Department: Duty Calculator and Frequently Imported Items brochure (bahamascustoms.gov.bs)
- Bahamas Department of Inland Revenue: VAT rates (inlandrevenue.finance.gov.bs)
- USPS: International Shipping
Part of our Caribbean guide. Related: all Caribbean destinations, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico.
