How to Slash Lead Times & Hidden Costs When Buying Medical Supplies in The Bahamas

Goal: Drive inbound requests for a Cost & Lead-Time Audit from hospital and clinic buyers.

Executive Snapshot

Bahamian buyers overpay by up to 40% and wait weeks longer than necessary because of five solvable frictions.

Fixing HS-code errors, pre-clearing in Click2Clear, switching to pallet contracts, using CARPHA’s 90-day fast-track, and correctly zero-rating medicines can cut landed costs by 15% and lead time by 30% — even during hurricane season.

1. The Hidden HS-Code Trap

• Mis-declared HS codes lead to unnecessary duties (e.g., HS 9018 vs 9027).
• Pro Tip: Simulate duty in Bahamas Customs’ online Tariff-Search before issuing a Purchase Order (PO).

2. Click2Clear Pre-Clearance

• Regulation 26(2) allows electronic customs entries before arrival.
• Brokers can save 24-48 hours and avoid demurrage fees.

3. Freight Math

4. CARPHA Fast-Track

• The CARPHA CRS issues import decisions in ≤ 90 days.
• Cuts months off first-time imports.

5. VAT & Zero-Rating

• Since 2018, most prescription and over-the-counter medicines are zero-rated for VAT.
• Correct application can significantly reduce landed costs.

6. Hurricane-Season Playbook

• Maintain a 30-day supply buffer.
• Use duty-rebated local warehousing to protect against supply disruptions during storms.

7. Action Checklist

• Run an HS-code audit
• Pre-clear shipments using Click2Clear
• Adopt pallet-based freight contracts
• Utilize the CARPHA CRS for faster regulatory clearance
• Apply zero-rated VAT for eligible medicines
• Build 30-day supply buffers for hurricane season

Result:

• 15% cheaper landed cost
• 30% faster delivery

Author: Janae Hudson – CEO