Thinking about bringing your car, golf cart, or tender to Great Abaco Club in Little Harbour? With a little planning, you can make arrival smooth, legal, and on schedule. You want reliable guidance, clear steps, and no surprises at the dock or the gate. In this guide, you’ll learn the rules, shipping options, timelines, and prep tips that matter most for Little Harbour and the Marsh Harbour corridor. Let’s dive in.
Where your vehicle will arrive
Most shipments clear through Marsh Harbour, the commercial hub for Great Abaco. Little Harbour is a scenic access point, not a large commercial port, so plan for freight to land at Marsh Harbour, then move overland to Little Harbour. Vehicle deliveries from Marsh Harbour typically take 30–60 minutes depending on road conditions. Regular freight and vehicle service into Marsh Harbour is supported by operators with roll-on/roll-off capability, which helps with cars and carts arriving ready to drive. Bahamas Ferries outlines Marsh Harbour freight service.
Customs rules you should know
Temporary vehicle import
Non-residents can temporarily import a private car, SUV, or truck using Bahamas Customs Form C41. If approved, you receive a temporary import permit (Form C42). Customs may require a refundable deposit equal to the duty or a bond, and the classic time limit has been six months, subject to approval for extensions. Always confirm your case with a licensed customs broker. See the customs framework summarized in the Bahamas Customs regulations.
Permanent vehicle import costs
If you plan to keep the vehicle in The Bahamas, duty, VAT, environmental levies, and processing fees apply. Official guidance shows that vehicle duty rates can be high as a percentage of the CIF value, with VAT charged on the landed cost. Before committing, request a formal customs quote or use a broker. Review government examples in the frequently imported items guidance.
Golf carts and batteries
Golf carts can be treated as motor vehicles for import and may need permits if used on public roads. You can temporarily import or permanently import, using the same Customs procedures referenced above. The big wrinkle is batteries. Lithium and lead-acid batteries are regulated for transport and often require special packing, labeling, and paperwork. Many owners ship carts without batteries, then install batteries locally. For safety and compliance details, consult the PHMSA battery transport guidance.
Tenders and boating permits
Private boats and tenders must clear at a Port of Entry and use Click2Clear to obtain a cruising permit. Changes effective July 1, 2025 increased temporary cruising permit fees, introduced a Frequent Digital Cruising Card, added AIS requirements for foreign vessels 50 feet and over, and adjusted fee structures that can affect larger tenders. Review these updates in The Triton’s summary of new Bahamas boating rules. Many marinas and agents help you meet Customs on arrival and complete formalities, as described in this clearance overview.
Shipping options to consider
Fly in and rent locally
The fastest path is to fly into Marsh Harbour and rent a vehicle or arrange taxis. If you only need small items like clubs or gear, use a courier and ship ahead.
Ro-ro direct to Marsh Harbour
Roll-on/roll-off is popular for drivable vehicles and carts. Sailings into Marsh Harbour can be weekly, so timing matters. Ask about hazmat policies if your cart includes batteries. For typical handling expectations, see a shipper’s ro-ro to Marsh Harbour overview and confirm current schedules with your chosen forwarder. Freight capability to Marsh Harbour is also noted by Bahamas Ferries.
Container via Nassau
High-value or non-running cargo can move in a container to Nassau, then transship to Marsh Harbour. This is a common route for cars and carts. Plan on several weeks door-to-door and lock in transshipment dates early. For context on Bahamas routes, see Royal Shipping Lines’ Bahamas page.
Delivering a tender
Smaller tenders are often trailered to a Florida port and shipped as deck cargo or in a container. Larger tenders may ride aboard a transport vessel or arrive with the mothership. Factor in cruising permit fees, Click2Clear filing, and possible attendance fees for Customs and Immigration. For cost planning, review this Bahamian cruising permit fee overview.
Timelines and what to expect
Typical timeframes
- Air travel plus rental car: same-day arrival.
- Couriered small items: 3–10 business days, depending on carrier and Customs.
- Ro-ro from Florida to Marsh Harbour: plan 7–21 days depending on schedule and transshipment, plus 1–5 business days for clearance and delivery.
- Container via Nassau: often 2–6 weeks depending on consolidation and vessel schedules.
Fees you will encounter
- Freight rates: ro-ro or container, quoted by your forwarder.
- Customs processing: temporary import fees or deposits; permanent import duty, VAT, and levies if applicable. See examples in the frequently imported items guidance.
- Boating costs: cruising permit fees and related charges under the July 2025 updates, as outlined in The Triton’s regulatory summary.
Prep checklist before you ship
- Confirm club rules: ask about on-property policies for private cars, carts, and tenders, including insurance and storage.
- Choose the method: compare 2–3 written quotes showing routing, ports, battery handling, brokerage, transit time, and insurance.
- Gather documents: passports, vehicle title and registration, bill of sale or authorization, VIN and photos, bill of lading, and for vessels, registration and insurance. See form references in the Customs regulations.
- Decide on batteries: consider shipping carts without batteries or arrange hazmat-compliant packing per PHMSA guidance.
- Prepare the vehicle: drain fuel as required, disconnect the battery if requested, and disclose if the vehicle is non-running so proper handling is arranged.
- Insure the journey: add marine cargo insurance for sea transit and confirm on-island auto coverage that meets local requirements.
- Lock in dates: book ro-ro or container space several weeks ahead, and allow extra time around holidays or peak season.
Last-mile delivery to Little Harbour
Roads into Little Harbour can include rough or unpaved stretches, so plan for a suitable truck or trailer and mind ground clearance. Some guide sources note variable conditions on the last miles, so schedule deliveries during daylight when possible. For general travel context, see this neutral reference in the Lonely Planet Bahamas guide excerpt. Coordinate with your forwarder for local drayage from Marsh Harbour to your Little Harbour address and arrange receiving access at the property or marina.
Plan with confidence
You can make this simple by partnering early with a licensed Bahamas customs broker and an experienced forwarder that serves Marsh Harbour. Confirm dates, schedules, and all costs with your broker and carrier, especially for high-impact items like battery handling, temporary versus permanent import for vehicles, Click2Clear and cruising permits for tenders, and any club policies for carts. If you are planning a property purchase or move tied to Great Abaco Club, we can connect you with trusted logistics partners so your vehicle or tender arrives when you do.
Ready to make Little Harbour feel like home from day one? Reach out to My Bahamas Realtor Limited for property guidance and concierge introductions to vetted customs brokers, freight forwarders, and marine agents.
FAQs
What is the easiest way to bring a car to Great Abaco Club?
- Fly into Marsh Harbour, clear your car via ro-ro at Marsh Harbour with a broker’s help, then arrange overland delivery to Little Harbour.
How do I legally bring a golf cart to Little Harbour?
- Treat it like a motor vehicle for import, follow the temporary import or permanent entry process, and handle batteries per PHMSA guidance.
What permits are required for a tender entering Abaco?
- File through Click2Clear, obtain the appropriate cruising permit, and follow the July 2025 updates summarized in The Triton’s rules overview.
How long does ro-ro shipping to Marsh Harbour usually take?
- Plan 7–21 days from Florida pickup to Marsh Harbour plus 1–5 business days for clearance and local delivery, depending on schedules.
What costs should I budget for permanent vehicle import?
- Expect duty, VAT, environmental levies, and fees on the landed cost, with examples shown in the frequently imported items guidance.
