CONTAINER SHIPPING TO HAITI FROM THE US & CANADA

If you’re moving commercial cargo by ocean container to Haiti, the biggest decisions are FCL vs. LCL, the destination port (Port-au-Prince, Lafito/Lafiteau, Cap-Haïtien), and total landed cost (ocean freight + terminal handling + documentation + customs). LAC – Latin American Cargo offers both FCL and LCL shipping to Haiti, with competitive rates and hands-on coordination from North America to Haiti.

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Remember, at LAC we also offer a full range of specialized freight services to Dominican Republic that your company needs to expand its business:

Average Cost to Ship a Container to Haiti

Container shipping rates to Haiti vary based on container size (20ft, 40ft, high cube), shipping mode (FCL vs LCL), origin (especially South Florida vs Gulf/Northeast/Canada), equipment availability, and local port/terminal fees. The estimates below are budget ranges, not exact pricing offers.

Container Type	Capacity	Estimated Cost (USD)
20′ Container	~33.2 cbm / 1,172 cu ft	$1,400–$2,000
40′ Container	~67.7 cbm / 2,389 cu ft	$2,400–$3,200
40′ High Cube	~76.3 cbm / 2,694 cu ft	$2,600–$3,500

Need an exact container shipping quote to Haiti? Request a freight quote from our logistics team.

How Container Shipping Rates to Haiti Are Calculated

Ocean freight pricing to Haiti is typically built from a base ocean rate plus origin/destination charges. The most accurate way to compare options is to review a full breakdown (not just “the ocean rate”).

Distance and Trade Lane

Short-haul Caribbean lanes (e.g., South Florida → Haiti) are usually faster and can be more cost-efficient than routings that require transshipment (common for cargo originating in the U.S. Northeast or Canada).

Container Type & Size (20ft, 40ft, High Cube, Reefer)

A 40ft container has roughly double the capacity of a 20ft, but it’s often not double the price. High cube containers add interior height, which is useful for lightweight, bulky cargo (packaged goods, insulation, some building materials).

Cargo Type (hazardous, general cargo, perishables, etc)

Hazardous cargo (IMO), temperature-controlled goods (reefers), and regulated commodities can add surcharges, special documentation, and extra handling requirements—especially important when planning door-to-port vs door-to-door service.

Additional Fees (documentation, handling, customs clearance)

Common cost line items include:

Origin/destination terminal handling (THC), handling & security fees
Documentation (B/L, export filing where applicable), VGM, seal fees
Destination charges and (if requested) customs clearance and delivery

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Main Container Ports in Haiti

Most containerized imports move through Port-au-Prince-area terminals, with Cap-Haïtien supporting the north. Haiti’s port network includes two primary international ports (Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien), plus other ports that support regional/coastal and select international movements.

Port	Region	Role	Main Trade Routes
Port-au-Prince	Ouest (capital area)	Primary gateway for containerized consumer goods and commercial imports	South Florida (Miami/Port Everglades), wider U.S. lanes via feeder/transshipment
Lafito / Lafiteau	Near Port-au-Prince (Lafiteau)	Modern terminal option serving the Port-au-Prince market and nearby industrial areas	Similar lanes to Port-au-Prince; carrier/feeder connections via Caribbean hubs
Cap-Haïtien	Nord	Key container port for northern Haiti and distribution toward the DR border	South Florida and Caribbean feeder services; regional trade
Miragoâne	Nippes	Smaller public port that can support select project and regional cargo	Regional/coastal trade; limited container activity depending on service availability

Good Commonly Shipped by Container to Haiti

Haiti’s import demand is concentrated in essential consumer goods and industrial inputs—especially for food supply chains, construction, and distribution. In recent trade data, major U.S. exports to Haiti include refined petroleum, rice, and poultry meat, while Canada’s exports include staples like wheat alongside machinery/auto-related sectors.

Main North American exports to Haiti include:

Food & staples (rice, wheat, poultry, packaged foods)
Consumer goods (household items, retail inventory)
Building & construction materials (cement-related inputs, hardware, metal products)
Machinery and parts (repairs, utilities, light industrial equipment)
Paper products and packaging

Container Shipping Transit Times to Haiti

Transit time depends heavily on origin, sailing frequency, and whether the routing is direct or via transshipment. South Florida routings can be among the fastest options into Port-au-Prince.

Origin Region	Destination Port	Average Transit Time
South Florida (Miami / Port Everglades)	Port-au-Prince	~5 days (port-to-port)
South Florida (Miami / Port Everglades)	Cap-Haïtien	~7–12 days
U.S. Gulf (e.g., Houston/New Orleans)	Port-au-Prince	~7–12 days
U.S. Northeast (e.g., NY/NJ)	Port-au-Prince	~10–18 days (often via transshipment)
Eastern Canada (e.g., Montreal/Halifax)	Port-au-Prince	~12–20 days (typically via feeder/transshipment)

Transit times represent port-to-port ocean transit and may vary depending on carrier schedules and transshipment requirements.

FCL Shipping to Haiti

FCL (Full Container Load) is the right fit when you have enough volume to justify exclusive container use—or when you want tighter control over handling and timing. It’s commonly used for recurring commercial replenishment (wholesale/retail), building materials, and high-volume food shipments.

Trade highlight: the U.S. is a leading supplier to Haiti, with 2024 U.S. exports to Haiti reported around $1.21B in UN Comtrade-based estimates.

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LCL Shipping to Haiti

LCL is ideal when you’re shipping smaller volumes (a few pallets to partial container loads) and want to share container space and cost. This is a practical option for shipping LCL freight from the USA to Haiti, especially when you’re testing a market, moving spare parts, or replenishing inventory without waiting to build a full container.

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Why Choose LAC for Container Shipping to Haiti

As a specialized freight forwarder with 25+ years in the Americas, LAC helps shippers move cargo into Haiti with fewer surprises—especially around documentation, port coordination, and local delivery planning.

Regional expertise: 25+ years managing North America–Haiti trade
Bicultural identity: bridging US/Canada & Latin America business cultures
Partnerships with major shipping lines: Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, Evergreen
Tailored support: bilingual team, door-to-door service available

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FAQs About Container Shipping to Haiti

How long does it take to ship a container to Haiti?

From South Florida into Port-au-Prince, port-to-port transit can be around 5 days on certain services, while other U.S./Canada origins often run 7–20+ days depending on routing.

What are the common container sizes?

The most common are 20ft and 40ft containers, plus 40ft high cube for extra interior height.

What documents are needed for container shipping to Haiti?

Typical requirements include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and any commodity-specific permits/certificates (plus hazmat documentation if applicable). Your forwarder may also request HS codes and consignee/tax details for clearance.

Which is cheaper: FCL or LCL to Haiti?

LCL can be cheaper for small shipments because you pay only for the space used. FCL often wins on cost per unit when volume is high, and it can reduce handling touches.

Do I need a customs broker when shipping containers to Haiti?

In most commercial cases, yes—using a broker or a forwarder who can coordinate clearance helps avoid delays, rework, and storage charges at destination.