Barrel Shipping

Barrel shipping is a budget-friendly way to send freight such as clothes, food, or household items overseas, especially to places like the Caribbean.

By using sturdy shipping barrels, often 55-gallon types of barrels, you can pack a ton into one barrel container and ship it reliably. Well, this type of shipping is widely popular among Diaspora communities because of its convenience and cost of sending packages and moving essentials.

What makes the process popular is the simplicity.

Everything you need is proper preparation that will not only maximize the space but also ensure that your barrel shipment freight arrives safely.

In this quick guide, we’ll break down barrel shipping!

What is Barrel Shipping

Barrel shipping is a cost-effective method for sending goods overseas, and is especially popular for Caribbean destinations. You just pack items into durable shipping barrels, typically big plastic barrels like 55-gallon ones, and ship them via a barrel shipping company.

It’s straightforward: fill the barrel container, seal it, and hand it off for transport. This approach is cheaper than traditional freight for personal or small-scale shipments. It’s just excellent for many families sending essentials or businesses moving small stock, offering a balance of affordability and reliability for international delivery.

When to Use Shipping Barrels

Choose barrels for shipping when you need to send bulky personal items abroad without the potential high cost of other modes of transportation.

You typically use plastic shipping barrels when moving household goods, gifting supplies, or supporting family overseas. They’re perfect for non-urgent shipments, considering that it may take weeks for your freight to arrive.

Even some businesses choose barrels for small-scale exports, like specialty foods. In short, if speed isn’t critical but cost and volume are, barrel shipping is your cheapest option out there.

What Types of Goods Are Commonly Shipped In Barrels

Barrel shipments often include a mix of personal and household items tailored to recipients’ needs and special requirements.

Some common freight items packed in plastic barrels include:

• Canned foods such as rice or spices (without an expiry date).
• New or second-hand clothes and shoes, and other light items.
• Everything from the homeware, and dry goods like bedding.
• Bathroom supplies such as shampoo, soap, lotion, and more.
• Sometimes small electronics like chargers, power bricks, etc.

How Are Barrels Typically Packaged for Shipping

Packing a barrel for shipping is like organizing a long-distance freight, which is not as easy as it sounds – you need to ensure it’s secure. Sturdy plastic shipping barrels, like 55-gallon ones, are perfect for a barrel shipment headed to distant places, and good barrel packing is really critical.

The process involves a few simple steps:

#1 Choosing a Barrel

It’s very important to go with durable barrel containers, which in most cases are plastic barrels, so they can handle rough shipping conditions.

#2 Building the Base

Start packing the barrel with the heavy items on the bottom, like any canned freight or bags, which will create a stable base for what’s above.

#3 Securing Fragility

Important: You must secure any fragile items such as small appliances, electronics, and glassware by wrapping them with bubble wrap.

#4 Filling the Gaps

Then look for any gaps you can fill with a layer of soft freight such as clothes, bedding, shoes, or even small packages that can fit in narrow spaces.

#5 Building the Top

The next step is to place all of the lightweight items on top of the barrel to prevent them from being squashed by the weight of everything else.

#6 Securing the Lid

Secure the lid of the barrel tightly, by using the barrel’s clamp or strong tape, to ensure nothing goes out open during the transportation process.

#7 Barrel Labeling

Label the barrel clearly with your name, the recipient’s details, and the destination to avoid hiccups during the transportation process.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Barrel

Well, as you’ve probably assumed, in order to figure out how much to ship a barrel to Jamaica or other Caribbean spots depends on a few things. Well, those things often include factors such as distance, shipping barrel dimensions, weight, and most importantly, the barrel transport company.

On average, shipping a 55-gallon plastic shipping barrel from the U.S. to the Caribbean costs $100–$300, including basic fees but not customs or pickup charges. Longer routes or heavier barrels can dramatically increase the cost, while any discounts for bulk shipments can lower it.

Let’s take a look at the cost of shipping a barrel to Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Grenada, and Guyana to get a basic understanding of the prices.

Preparing Your Barrels for Shipping

Whenever your barrel is packed for shipping and you’re ready to send it, there are a few final touches you must not overlook.

First, you’ll have to verify the tight head – that’s the most important step. We recommend double or even triple-checking this to ensure nothing will spill out. Yet another thing to confirm before shipping the barrel is that the recipient’s name and address are correct.

If everything looks promising, it’s time to contact your barrel shipping company and arrange the loading and unloading locations. You have to be cautious, though, read everything to ensure that you’ll not become a victim of hidden fees or scams.

You Received Your Barrel Shipment - What to Do After Delivery

Your barrel shipment just showed up, so it’s time for a thorough inspection of the entire freight.

Start by checking the plastic drums and shopping totes for any dents or tampered seals before signing off with the barrel shipping company. Don’t worry, even if you have to make them wait, as it’s in your right to verify that everything is there, undamaged.

In case something catches your eye, take a photo immediately. Only then, dig inside the open head carefully and match the contents against your packing list to ensure nothing’s missing or broken. Unpack heavier items first and proceed with completing your full barrel inspection.

If there’s damage or missing goods, reach out to the shipping company ASAP with your tracking details and report the problem. Best of luck with the shipping company you decide to work with!