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Break Bulk Shipments

Kingston Wharves stands at the forefront of Caribbean logistics, driving trade, connectivity, and regional growth. 

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Efficient Clearance for Break Bulk Shipments & Project Cargo

KWL handles a wide range of break-bulk cargo including, lumber, steel, auto parts, construction material and other. Here are the steps to clearing your break-bulk shipments. 

Here are the steps to clearing your bulk shipments:

Making Contact
  • KWL arranges labour and equipment accordingly. 

Required documents: 

  • Bill of Lading (If clearing the entire shipment) or Order (If clearing parts of the shipment). 
  • Proof Payment for KWL Charge

a. Vessel Arrival & Operations: 

  • Vessel arrives and begins work. 
  • Obtain ETA; planning & customer service receive the manifest. 
  • Operations commence (unloading cargo from vessel). 

b. Documentation & Payment: 

  • Lodge documents on PCS. 
  • Pay on Bill of Lading. 
  • Lodge Bill Order with Customs Release (use order to clear bill). 

c. Cargo can be cleared via two types of processes – Throughput Delivery is when cargo is delivered directly to a truck (placed on the back of a chassis) while the vessel is working and, which then leaves the terminal. Regular delivery is when the cargo is off-loaded and stored by KWL for the consignee to clear at a later time.

  • All charges must be paid before delivery. 
  • Can be done within normal working hours or extended hours (requires 24-hour advance notice for overtime arrangements with Customs (VACIS), SAL, and Customer Service). 

Stackers or forklifts are usually the equipment used to deliver bulk and breakbulk cargo. 

  • Forklift:  Minimum 4-hour call-out. 
  • Stacker:  Minimum 4-hour call-out. 
  • Customer is informed if forklift/stacker is needed (lifting charges apply per move). 
  • Customers need to ensure that the trucks and chassis they hire are suitable for the cargo type they are clearing. 
  • Appointment for container (PCS) scheduled. 
  • Validated Bill of Lading or Order presented. 
  • Cargo is scanned before exiting the terminal. 
  • Payment must be cleared. 
  • Customs release obtained. 
  • Normal Gate Hours: 8 AM – 4 PM  

 

  • The Trade Board requires that heavy equipment being imported in Jamaica be sanitised, based on their country origin. This is to prevent the entry of pathogens into Jamaica.  
  • The process begins with a request for sanitisation by the customer. 
  •  KWL performs the sanitisation and issues a certificate. No external sanitisation can be facilitated. 
  • To schedule sanitisation, Customer must email kwlplanning@kwljm.com re sanitization charges ($200 USD). 
  • After washing, a letter and certificate are issued for the customer to present to the Trade Board. 
  • All export containers must be weighed by law. 
  • Full export containers are weighed upon gate entry.