10 STEP GUIDE TO BARREL BOOKING, COLLECTION, SHIPPING AND CLEARANCE
Firstly, not everyone is a seasoned barrel sender. For most people, this would be the first time, or the first time in a long time since they shipped a barrel to Jamaica. The processes and requirements change over the years so we recommend having a read of our useful guide on 3 Important Things to Know About Shipping to Jamaica from the UK .
Then have a read of our useful guide on 4 Things You Need to Know About Shipping a Barrel to Jamaica.
Once you have familiarised yourself with the general requirements of processes and your responsibilities involved in shipping a barrel, you should be ready to book your shipment.
1 - Reading the Sailing Schedule
2 - The Online Booking Process
3 - Shipping Information
4 - Delivery of Your Barrels to the Wharf
5 - Loading of Your Barrels Onto a Ship
6 - Notification of Customer of Tracking Information
7 - Barrels Delivered to Port of Discharge in Jamaica
8 - Notification of Barrel Arrival
9 - Clearance of Goods at Wharf
10 - Arrange Collection and Transport of Your Barrel
Step 1 - Reading the Sailing Schedule
You start the process of shipping your barrels by checking the Sailing Schedule.
Let's go through the different cells and columns:
Closing Date: This is the first thing you should consider before shipping. That means that your goods need need to be with us at our depot prior to the closing date. Make sure you calculate the actual amount of time needed for your items to be collected.
UK Sailing Date: This is the date your barrels/cargo will leave the UK and sail to Jamaica. So you have to work out your dates in reverse.
Estimated Arrival to Kingston/Montego Bat: This is an estimated arrival day of your goods to Kingston/Montego Bay wharf. The actual arrival day might differ based on circumstances or special events. It usually takes about a month.
Earliest pick up date Kingston/Montego Bay: After your goods arrive at Kingston/Montego Bay wharf, allow further and sufficient time for goods to be out turned and cleared before you’re able to pick them up. That usually takes 6 days.
Step 2 - The Online Booking Process
Step-by-step how to choose the right package for you and complete your purchase through our website.
Choose the quantity and whether you prefer collection of your barrel from your location or drop off of at our Depot and "Proceed to Checkout".
Ensure you have ordered either an empty barrel first from us or you have a barrel purchased from another supplier packed and ready for collection, when choosing Shipping to Kingston/Montego Bay. Please also view our video on how to pack your barrel correctly.
At the end of the Booking Online process, you enter the receiver's details and select a method of payment for either your empty packaging or your barrel shipment. You can pay through our secure PayPal facility, or you can elect to pay the collection agent on arrival.
Login to your Paypal account and make a payment, if you chose Paypal as your payment method.
If you don’t have a Paypal account, don’t fret, you can pay online using the Guest checkout service with your credit or debit card.
At the end of the Booking Online process, you'll see a summary of your order. We have now received and processing your order.
Once your barrel shipping order has been placed online you will be issued an order number and we will contact you within two working days to arrange a collection of your barrel(s).
For any questions, feel free to contact us.
Step 3 - Shipping Information
The next very important step is entering your Shipping details the right way to minimise errors.
Please ensure your barrels are labelled with the receivers contact name, address, and port of destination either to Kingston or Montego bay. please view our video how to label your barrel correctly.
At collection of your goods the personal information for your shipment will be taken
A - Senders name, address and contact number
B - Full name and address of the Receiver in Jamaica
C - The information at B above should be written onto the face of the barrel in large text with a black marker. If you cannot do this we can write up the barrel for you. We have a useful video section on how to properly prepare barrels.
D - You are required to seal your barrel with a lock to ensure after collection that your barrel contents cannot be accessed. If you don not have a lock we can provide you with a numbered security seal. We provide these at an additional cost of £2 which can be purchased from the collection agent.
E - You will be provided with a receipt for collection detailing the personal information for the barrel shipment. An example as below. You will be notified by email that we have received your barrel consignment.
Step 4 - Delivery of Your Barrels to the Wharf
When we collect your barrels and you have purchased a security seal, we will seal each barrel(s) in front of the customer which contains a unique ID number, the customer will sign a collection note which details the unique number on the security seal, you will receive a collection notification email within 24 hours as a receipt that we have reviewed your goods. After collection of your barrel we will either store your barrels securely at one of our depots . Or we will transport your items directly to the Tilbury dock bonded warehouse.
We will contact you within 14 working days from the date of collection to issue you with the barrel shipment tracking information, and the documentation for clearance of your goods. Please do not contact us prior to 14 working days of the collection of your barrel as we will not have the updated information from the shipping line .
Step 5 - Loading of Your Barrels Onto a Ship
Within 14 days of receipt of your barrels will be loaded into the shipping transport container and placed on the transatlantic ship.
Step 6 - Notification of Customer of Tracking Information
Within 14 days from collection of your shipment, we will then be able to provide you with international tracking information and a Bill Of Laden for your barrel consignment. You can use this information with our online tracking tool 24hrs a day to track the location of your barrels until they reach your chosen port of discharge.
Your barrels are then transported from London to Jamaica. You can visit our sailing schedule page in conjunction with your tracking information to determine the date your barrel will arrive in Jamaica.
An example of the documentation you receive is as below.
Step 7 - Barrels Delivered to Port of Discharge in Jamaica
Once your barrel has been delivered to the port of discharge they will remain inside the container ready to be stripped by Jamaica Wharf port staff. This takes up to 5 working days from arrival of your container.
Please take note of our sailing schedule. This service advises customers firstly of the estimated arrival date of your consignment based on the SHIP DATE we provided to you in Step 6 above.
Please be aware that the corresponding EARLIEST COLLECTION DATE on the schedule relates to the estimated time it takes for your goods to be stripped from the shipment container.
We provide this information to save you time travelling to the port and your items are not ready for collection.
Step 8 - Notification of Barrel Arrival
The most effective method of collection is to contact the assigned local clearing agent to determine if your goods are ready to be processed and released at the wharf.
All the information they require to check your consignment is located on the invoice in Step 6 above.
Step 9 - Clearance of Goods at Wharf
Once you receive notification from the local clearing agent that your goods are ready to collect you would attend your chosen port of discharge to collect your goods.
We have produced a useful guide on How to clear a barrel at the wharf .
You can find more useful information on the Duties and Taxes that you might be expected to pay.
This is not an exhaustive guide, but rather a collection of broad common duties to be paid for your barrel.
You can read more wharf specific clearance related information on How to Clear a Barrel at Kingston Wharf Jamaica and How to Clear a Barrel at Montego Bay Jamaica.
Step 10 - Arrange Collection and Transport of Your Barrel
Once you have paid your duties and taxes at the wharf you can arrange collection of your goods and delivery to your family or relative. You can attend the wharf with your own vehicle, or there are plenty of trusted transportation vehicles based at the wharf that will facilitate delivery of your barrel.
Happy days! All the soap powder, washing up liquid, cadburys chocolate and soft toilet paper that you need to make people happy :o)
For more information on shipping barrels from London to Jamaica please feel free to contact us.
