How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Boat to Puerto Rico? (All Types)

Written by Desiree Vilar in Cost of Sailing

Puerto Rico is one of the major hubs for boat shipping in the Caribbean. The island's strategic location makes it an ideal port for shipping boats to and from the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. If you're shipping a boat bound for this island, let me break down the costs of what you need to prepare.

The cost of shipping a yacht to Puerto Rico might be anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. Dinghies and kayaks can cost between $500 and $2,500, while sailboats and motorboats can cost between $5,000 and $20,000. The boat's size, weight, and shipping distance continue to affect the overall shipping expenses.

When shipping your boat to Puerto Rico, you'll need to choose a company that specializes in boat transportation to the island. Let's take a look at several companies that offer direct shipping to Puerto Rico and compare their offers.

Summary

  • Shipping a 40-foot boat from Miami, FL, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, costs around $10,000 to $15,000.
  • Shipping a 60-foot yacht from Southampton, England, to Puerto Rico costs around $30,000–$40,000.
  • Customs clearance fees include payment for customs duties, taxes, and other fees.
  • Take into account additional costs for insurance to protect your boat against damage or loss during transit.
  • The three main shipping companies that offer boat shipping services to Puerto Rico are FedEx, UPS, and USPS.

Shipping Costs of Different Types of Boats Bound to Puerto Rico

The shipping cost will depend on the size and weight of the boat, as well as the shipping distance. Below are the estimated shipping costs for different types of boats to Puerto Rico.

Type of Boat Estimated Shipping Cost
Yacht $10,000 to $50,000+
Small Boat $500 to $2,500+
Large Boat $5,000 to $20,000+

Shipping costs for a yacht

If you are shipping a yacht to Puerto Rico, you can expect to pay a higher price due to the size and weight of the boat. The shipping cost for a yacht can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size of the yacht and the shipping distance.

Origin Destination Yacht Size Estimated Shipping Cost
Miami, Florida San Juan, Puerto Rico 40 ft $10,000 - $15,000
Los Angeles, California San Juan, Puerto Rico 50 ft $20,000 - $25,000
Southampton, England San Juan, Puerto Rico 60 ft $30,000 - $40,000

Shipping costs for small boats

Small boats, such as dinghies or kayaks, are generally less expensive to ship than larger boats. The shipping cost for a small boat can range from $500 to $2,500 or more, depending on the size and weight of the boat and the shipping distance. Some shipping companies may offer discounts for multiple small boat shipments or during off-peak seasons.

Port of Origin Shipping Method Size Estimated Shipping Cost
Mainland United States Ground Transportation 12-foot kayak $300
Mainland United States Air Freight 14-foot dinghy $800
Europe Sea Freight 10-foot kayak $1,000
Europe Air Freight 16-foot dinghy $2,000
Asia Sea Freight 12-foot kayak $1,500
Asia Air Freight 20-foot dinghy $3,000

Shipping costs for large boats

Large boats, such as sailboats or motorboats, can be more expensive to ship than smaller boats, but less expensive than yachts.The shipping cost for a large boat can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the size and weight of the boat and the shipping distance.

Shipping Route Distance (approx.) Estimated Shipping Cost (Sailboats) Estimated Shipping Cost (Motorboats)
Florida to Puerto Rico 1,000 miles $2,000 - $4,000 $3,000 - $5,000
West Coast to Puerto Rico 3,500 miles $5,000 - $8,000 $6,000 - $9,000
Europe to Puerto Rico 4,500 miles $10,000 - $15,000 $12,000 - $17,000

Additional Costs When Shipping a Boat to Puerto Rico

Here is a breakdown of the costs you can expect to pay aside from the shipping costs:

Customs clearance fees for different boat sizes

Customs clearance fees are the fees charged by the customs authorities to clear your boat through customs. These fees include import duties, taxes, and other charges.

The customs duties are based on the value of the boat and can range from 0% to 20%. The taxes are calculated based on the value of the boat plus the shipping costs and can range from 6% to 11.5%. Additionally, you may need to pay other fees, such as harbor fees, inspection fees, and administrative fees.

The amount you pay will depend on the value of your boat, the type of boat, and the country of origin. Below is a sample costing for different boat sizes:

Boat Size Customs Duties Taxes Other Fees
Small boats (less than 16ft) 0% - 5% 6% - 11.5% $150 - $300
Medium boats (16ft - 26ft) 5% - 10% 6% - 11.5% $300 - $500
Large boats (over 26ft) 10% - 20% 6% - 11.5% $500 - $1,000

Insurance costs for different types of boats

Insurance can help protect your boat against damage or loss during transit to Puerto Rico. The cost of insurance will depend on the value of your boat, the mode of transportation, and the coverage you choose, but to give an estimate, here's what you need to prepare for annual insurance costs of different boat types:

Boat Type Estimated Insurance Cost
Sailboat $500 - $2,000
Powerboat $1,000 - $5,000
Yacht $5,000 - $20,000
Jet Ski $100 - $500

Comparison of Different Courier Services in Puerto Rico

In this section, we will compare the boat shipping services offered by some of the most popular courier services, along with their estimated rates.

Cost of shipping a boat via FedEx

FedEx offers boat shipping services to Puerto Rico for boats that are 14 feet or longer and weigh up to 20,000 pounds. The cost of shipping will depend on several factors, including the size and weight of your boat, the distance it needs to travel, and the level of service you require.

To get an estimate of the cost of shipping your boat with FedEx, you can use the shipping rates calculator on their website. FedEx also offers insurance options to protect your boat during transit.

Cost of shipping a boat with UPS

UPS also offers boat shipping services to Puerto Rico through its UPS Worldwide Express Freight service. This service is designed for boats that weigh up to 2,200 pounds and have a length of up to 108 inches.

This service is ideal for businesses or individuals who need to ship heavy or oversized items internationally with speed and reliability. However, it's always recommended to check with UPS directly to confirm the specific details and requirements for shipping your boat. Here's the link to their complete rate and service guide.

Cost of shipping a boat with USPS

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers boat shipping services to Puerto Rico through its Priority Mail Express International service. This service provides fast and reliable delivery of packages and documents to over 190 countries, including Puerto Rico.

The maximum weight allowed for packages shipped via this service is 70 pounds. The maximum length and girth combined (L+G) cannot exceed 108 inches, which means that the sum of the package's length, height, and width cannot exceed 108 inches. Additionally, the maximum length of any one dimension is 42 inches.

To get an estimate of the cost of shipping your boat with USPS, you can visit their website.

Cost of shipping a boat with Easyship

Easyship, although not a transport company but a software, offers boat shipping services to Puerto Rico through its network of courier services. They partner with top courier services, such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS, to provide you with the best rates and shipping options. With Easyship, you can compare rates and services from multiple courier services and choose the one that best suits your needs.


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