Port-au-Prince, Haiti

[EricG]

We have a client that needs to ship flatbed product to Port-au-Price, Haiti.

Typically would we be better off shipping to south of Florida, on a flatbed, then having it cross-docked and translocked into a sea-can and catching a boat from FL to Haiti.

Or should be put the freight in a can up here and ship the whole can to Florida and forward from there?

How secure is Haiti for last mile delivery? Anyone have any experience in getting declared value coverage for high-risk countries? Our client is looking for a "to door" option for these loads, and not just a port to port solution.

Ohh and the kicker, receiver can't offload from a can, receiver needs to side off load via forklift only, due to weights and length of product, receiver won't use long forks, or "drag" out of sea-can.

This sounds like it may cost a penny or two.

 

[loaders]

Not too sure about the transport options, but as far as insurance is concerned, try Cargo Secure, formerly Cargo Cover for their opinion. As long as Haiti isn't on their list of "no go" countries they should be able to offer coverage.

 

[TransAction]

Eric,

The only special provisions we know of regarding Haiti is the following:

SPECIAL CERTIFICATES:
1.) A Pre-shipment Inspection Certificate (Attestation de Vérification) is required for all goods shipped in FCL containers as well as all shipments exceeding a value of US$ 5,000 FOB.

The following goods are exempt: precious stones and metals, objects of art, explosives and pyrotechnic products, ammunition, weapons, implements of war, live animals, current newspapers and periodicals, personal effects incl. one used vehicle, parcel post shipments, commercial samples, supplies to diplomatic missions, equipment and machinery for Free Zone companies working exclusively for the external market, petroleum products, gifts to foundations, charities and recognized humanitarian organizations.

The following inspection agency has been appointed:

SGS North America Inc.
7769 NW 48th Street, Suite 250
Miami, FL, 33166, USA
Tel.: (1-877) 347-0395 or (305) 592-0410
Fax: (305) 592-6925

 

[Igor Galanter]

Sounds like you have to use open top flat or "crib" sea can.. In any case good luck with that...

 

[Michael Ludwig]

What Igor said, and yea, good luck ... those things are hard to find on a good day
You may need to pre-book one months in advance.

 

[EricG]

Thanks to all for the wealth of information. It helped us in securing this freight from our client. Turns out the freight will move via AIR, someone in Haiti has a lot of money to burn... Our client secured payment via wire transfer, all due diligence was completed, seems that a local private security company down there is going strong buying infrastructure for their local compound.