15
Years in international removals
850k+
Verified customer enquiries
3
FIDI-accredited partners
Trusted International Moving Network
Accredited Relocation Specialists
A barrel is the cheapest way to send clothes, food and gifts to family on the island. We connect you with one vetted partner who supplies the barrel, ships it and clears it at Deep Water Harbour. Prices start from around £80. It's free to ask.
✅ The quick answer — Tell us what you're sending and we connect you with one vetted partner. Free.
💰 How much — From around £80, depending on barrel size and what's inside.
📦 What fits — Clothes, tinned and dried food, toiletries, gifts and small household items.
⏱️ How long — Roughly 3 to 5 weeks, usually transhipped through a US hub.
📍 Where it clears — Deep Water Harbour, St John's, then on to your address or Barbuda.
Barrel shipping is the classic, low-cost way for families to send goods to Antigua and Barbuda. You fill a sturdy plastic or fibre barrel, usually 30 to 65 litres, and it travels by sea with everyone else's, so you only pay for your barrel rather than a whole container. It's perfect for non-urgent send-ups: clothes and shoes, tinned and dried food, toiletries, bedding, small kitchen items, school supplies and Christmas gifts.
A few things don't belong in a barrel: fresh food, meat and plants need agricultural clearance, and aerosols, flammables and anything banned are out. Your vetted partner gives you a clear packing list so nothing gets held at the port.
Cost depends on the barrel size, the weight and where it's going. As a rough guide, a standard barrel starts from around £80, with larger barrels and door delivery costing a little more. These are indicative figures to help you plan; your vetted partner confirms the exact price before you book.
| Barrel | Typical use | Indicative from |
|---|---|---|
| Small (about 30L) | Clothes and gifts for one or two people | around £80 |
| Standard (about 55L) | Family clothes, food and toiletries | around £95 |
| Large (about 65L) | A bigger send-up or a full Christmas barrel | around £115 |
Indicative only. Final pricing depends on contents, weight, collection and delivery, and is confirmed by your partner.
Barrels are assessed at Deep Water Harbour like any other shipment. For most senders, the goods inside may attract some import duty and 15% ABST, worked out on the declared value, though everyday used clothing and personal gifts are usually modest. If you're a returning national coming home to live after years abroad, used household and personal effects you've owned for a year or more can come in free of duty and ABST, as long as they aren't for resale. A local broker files the entry in ASYCUDA World, and your vetted partner helps with the declaration so there are no surprises.
If you're sending more than a barrel or two, a shared container often works out better value, and a full container suits a whole home.
Shared or full 20ft and 40ft for a larger load or a whole home.
Barrel, container and car prices compared, with ways to spend less.
Coming home for good? Bring used effects in under the concession.
Every area and service for moves to the island.
Sending a barrel often goes hand in hand with sending money home. For years we've connected customers with trusted partners who handle any currency, so the money side is simple and fair. It's offered through our partners, with no hidden fees.
Tell us what you're sending and we connect you with one partner who ships barrels to Antigua and Barbuda week in, week out, not a call centre and not ten quotes to chase. They handle the barrel, the labelling, the declaration and the clearance at Deep Water Harbour, so your family just collects.
International Removals Companies isn't a shipper itself; we pass your enquiry to one vetted partner who does the work, free since November 2010, with more than 850,000 enquiries connected since. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company 07425576, ICO ZB022743, Norman House, Saint Saviours Estate, Abbey Street, London, SE1 3DH. Working Member of AGM Group since 2010.
Tell us what you're sending and where it's going, and one vetted partner comes back with a price, the barrel and the customs steps. No cost, no obligation.
Get my free quoteYour partner confirms every price, transit time, insurance and customs point before you book.
International Removals Companies is the official enquiry service for three FIDI FAIM and BAR Overseas certified international moving companies in AGM Group, members of IAM, EUROMOVERS and FEDEMAC. It's a free route-matching service, not a removal company, a man with a van or a house clearance service.
Use this page to send your Antigua and Barbuda removal enquiry, then speak directly with the partner mover we connect you with before booking.