Good communication is the key for great service

Bermuda Ocean Shipping Services Ltd. (BOSS) is one of many shipping agents on the island. 

BOSS has been servicing importers for over 30 years.

What makes for a good agent?

Communication and good services are key.

You must be able to communicate your shipping needs clearly and effectively to your local agent, who will direct you to the most efficient way to ship your goods.

Our overseas agents and affiliates represent long term relationships, with which our company has been working to service Bermuda trade and provide the options necessary to get freight here the best possible way.

The more information we have, the better we are able to serve our customers. Send details of your shipment, invoices, number of pieces and so on to your local agent once your orders are placed.

Let them know in advance if there are specifics they need to know — duty relief, for example, or other circumstances, such as the consolidating of several orders from various vendors.

Many importers make the mistake of leaving shipping arrangements to their vendors, who may not be familiar with all of the options for importing to Bermuda.

This can lead to added cost and delay. 

 If you’ve never shipped before, visit or call Bermuda Ocean Shipping in advance. We can provide estimated costs for shipping based on the measurement and weight of your cargo and advise duty amounts.

When requesting an estimate, be sure to get all the costs associated with your shipment, such as overseas trucking fees, if applicable, and local fees which pertain to the handling of the cargo once it arrives in Bermuda.

The time it takes for a shipment to arrive here is approximately three-days across the ocean from New York or Florida.

However, there are many factors affecting this transit time. How soon will your supplier send the goods to the shipping agent?

 Most shipping agents have deadlines, which respond to export customs regulations and pre-shipment documentation requirements.

The transit time from point of origin to shipper must also be considered.

The key to receiving your goods quickly and efficiently is to provide your agent with the documentation needed for Bermuda Customs — an accurate invoice and packing slip and duty relief letter, if applicable. If personal effects are involved, the agent will provide a customs form you must sign after listing each item and its fair value.

Always communicate with your agent what you are shipping and your objective. LCL, or less than container load shipments are usually charged by the cubic foot. Other costs associated with LCL shipping include documentation fees, customs clearance fees and terminal or stripping fees. The deciding factor in which agent to use comes down to service. Cost is everyone’s number one concern these days, but in the shipping business, costs are fairly comparable from agent to agent.

What makes Bermuda Ocean Shipping Services Ltd. stand out from the others? I feel it is the personalized service that we give. Most customers’ needs are similar.

They want their freight as quickly as possible and for the best possible price. We offer an on-line service for regular shippers, so they can see what freight they have received overseas.

This allows the shipper to better manage their consolidations and to communicate with us their shipping requirements from week to week. 

Our Hamilton office is presently located at 56 Reid Street, while our warehouse facility is on Harvey Road, Paget. Delivery arrangements can be made according to your specifications.

BOSS uses a number of local trucking firms to service our customers. Some private or business customers prefer to collect and handle their own cargo once it has been released by customs. This option is also available.

In an effort to constantly improve our service and meet the needs of our customers, BOSS offices and warehouse will be moving to an under-construction central facility on Elliott Street in Hamilton. This facility includes Bermuda Public Storage, which is a 24-hour storage facility. Our customers will have the opportunity to take advantage of this convenient location, as well as its affordable storage.

As the owner and Managing Director of Bermuda Ocean Shipping Services Ltd., I look forward to hearing from you with regards to our services in the shipping business. My staff and I are always available to answer your questions. If we are not able to assist you, we will be happy to refer you to an agent that can.

Laura Blee is managing director for Bermuda Ocean Shipping Services Ltd.