The activities at Port Authority can be broadly categorised into cargo and cruise ship related.
The Port Authority is currently offering multiple cargo terminals for the transport of containers, automobiles, break-bulk and refrigerated cargoes, as well as cruise passenger service. To reduce congestion and expedite the clearing of cargo, containers are off-loaded in the evenings.
Cargo
Import Of Cargo
What to do when your shipment arrives in Grand Cayman
Procedures you have to go through before receiving your shipment. You can decide to clear the shipment yourself or appoint a broker to do so on your behalf.
In case you decide to clear the cargo yourself, the process of clearing shipment is as follows:
- You are notified by the shipping company when the documents are ready for pickup (or if you prefer you can also call the office of the shipping company to enquire).
Please note the Port Authority does not notify you about the arrival of your cargo.
- Pay the freight charges to the shipping company and collect your documentation.
- Pay the custom duty at the Customs Department
Tel: (345) 949-4579. Also visit: http://caymanislandscustoms.com- Go to the Port Authority Billing Office on Portland Road to pay your port fees.
Tel: (345) 949-2055.- Your shipment is now ready for delivery.
- If you have loose cargo, collect it from the Cargo Distribution Center (CDC) on Portland Road. Tel: (345) 914-3750.
- For full container loads, contact a trucking company of your choice or contact the local shipping agent.
Exporting Cargo
Ship your cargo using any of the shipping companies or one of the agents.
Importing and Exporting of Cargo to/from Cayman brac
Thompson Shipping is the only agent/company to import and export freight from Cayman Brac. You may contact them for further information.
Shipping Agents/Companies Information
The following companies provide freight shipping/agency services to and from the Cayman Islands:
- Thompson Shipping
- Cayman Freight Shipping Services
- West Indian Shipping Tel. # (345)945-7126
- SeaFreight Agencies
- Cayman Islands Shipping (Capt. Shelby Hydes) Tel. # (345)949-2101
You may link to any of the shipping companies or agents website for further information.
The following is a list of ports where cargo is transported to and from Grand Cayman:
Cruise Ships
Pre-clearance of cruise ships by immigration officers
The Cayman Islands Immigration Department is introducing new measures designed to make it easier for cruise ship passengers and crew members to comply with immigration formalities upon entering the Cayman Islands . Under the new system, which is optional, passengers and crew will be pre-cleared in advance of arrival in the Cayman Islands . This means that it will no longer be necessary to wait for Immigration Officers to board the ship and issue clearance before passengers can come ashore. (Please note that this system does not alter the requirements that the ship must obtain Customs clearance before passengers may disembark.)
Cruise ship operators wishing to use this new pre-clearance system must complete the "Pre-Arrival Notification" spreadsheet and return it by email to the Immigration Seaport Office ( ICM@gov.ky ) and to the Port Authority at pfso@caymanport.com no later than twenty-four hours before the ship is due to arrive in the Cayman Islands. Please note that only the spreadsheet that has been circulated can be used as it contains embedded features that are necessary for the manifest to be checked against our computer records. When completing this spreadsheet, particular attention should be given to the 'Crew List' and 'Non-Crew and Passenger List' worksheets. Family name, given name, date of birth and nationality must be completed in all cases.
Once the documents are checked, Immigration Officers will fax a Clearance Certificate direct to the ship. This Clearance Certificate must be presented to Customs Officers upon arrival in Grand Cayman . To view a sample of the Clearance Certificate click here.
Please note that this pre-clearance system will not apply to passengers or crew who arrive by ship and who are leaving the Islands by air transportation. Such persons must comply with normal immigration formalities.
