Sea Freight to Curaçao

Ready to ship your cargo to Curaçao? Request a free quote or contact our team for current sailing schedules and rates.

Container shipping from the Netherlands to Willemstad

Sea freight is the backbone of Curaçao's supply chain. Container vessels sail frequently from Rotterdam and other North-Sea ports to the Port of Willemstad, where the dedicated container terminal in the Schottegat harbour — one of the first in the Caribbean, operational since 1982 — handles container, Ro/Ro and breakbulk cargo under the management of the Curaçao Ports Authority.

We offer every container shipping option to Curaçao:

• FCL (Full Container Load) — 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high-cube containers
• LCL (Less than Container Load) — pay only for the space you use in a shared container
• Consolidated freight (groupage) — economical weekly consolidations to Willemstad
• Vehicles — cars, vans and motorcycles, shipped in-container or Ro/Ro
• Household goods & personal effects — complete removals to Curaçao
• Project & out-of-gauge cargo — construction materials, machinery and equipment

Transit time from Rotterdam to Willemstad is typically around 2 to 3 weeks depending on the carrier and routing. Our team books your cargo on the most suitable sailing and keeps you informed from departure to arrival.

Customs clearance for Curaçao: outside the EU customs union

Although Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it is not part of the EU customs territory. Every shipment therefore requires export documentation in the Netherlands and import clearance on arrival, handled by Douane Curaçao. Import duties and levies depend on the type of goods; household goods owned for longer than six months are generally exempt for people relocating to the island.

Our customs clearance specialists prepare the complete document set — commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration and certificates where required — so your container clears customs in Willemstad without delays or unexpected costs.

Door-to-door sea freight, from the Benelux to anywhere on Curaçao

We collect your cargo anywhere in the Netherlands, Belgium or Luxembourg using our own road transport network, load and secure it professionally, and arrange delivery on Curaçao — to Willemstad, Punda, Otrobanda or anywhere else on the island. Need short-term storage before departure? Our warehousing service offers flexible storage near the port.

Also shipping to neighbouring islands? We serve the entire Dutch Caribbean, including Aruba and the Dutch Antilles (Bonaire, Sint Maarten), as well as the wider Caribbean.

Why choose Benelux Trade Link for sea freight to Curaçao?

Benelux Trade Link combines competitive ocean rates with personal service. Every customer gets a dedicated logistics specialist who manages the shipment from collection to delivery:

• Weekly departures from Rotterdam to Willemstad
• Competitive FCL and LCL rates through strong carrier agreements
• Full export documentation and customs handling on both sides
• Marine insurance for complete peace of mind
• Real-time tracking and proactive status updates
• Experience with commercial cargo, removals and vehicle shipping

For urgent shipments, we also offer air freight to Curaçao via Curaçao International Airport (Hato). Read more logistics insights on our news page.

Request your Curaçao sea freight quote today

Whether you are supplying the Curaçao market, shipping a vehicle or planning a move to the island: request a free quote or contact us — you will receive a tailored proposal with current rates and sailing schedules, usually within one business day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does sea freight from the Netherlands to Curaçao take?

Sailing time from Rotterdam to Willemstad is typically 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the carrier and routing. Contact our team for current schedules.

Can I ship a car or household goods to Curaçao?

Yes. We regularly ship vehicles, household goods and complete removals to Curaçao, both in full containers and as shared LCL shipments.

Do I need to pay import duties on Curaçao?

Curaçao lies outside the EU customs territory, so import formalities always apply on arrival. Duties depend on the goods; used household effects owned for six months or more are generally duty-free when relocating. Our customs team advises you in advance.

Can you also deliver door-to-door on Curaçao?

Yes. Through our local partners we deliver anywhere on the island, from the port of Willemstad to your final address.