OEC Antigua & Package Forwarding: Your Complete 2026 Guide
OEC Antigua gives residents and expats a Miami US address to shop from Amazon, Walmart, Shein, and hundreds more stores. Register at oecantigua.com, use your OEC address at checkout, then choose air cargo (arrives Tuesday, XCD $10/lb) or sea cargo (5-day transit, XCD $6/lb for small packages). You'll also pay customs duty and a 15% ABST sales tax on imports. Faster Freight and West Tech Shipping are solid alternatives with different pricing models.
OEC Antigua & Package Forwarding: Your Complete 2026 Guide
TL;DR: OEC Antigua gives residents and expats a Miami US address to shop from Amazon, Walmart, Shein, and hundreds more stores. Register at oecantigua.com, use your OEC address at checkout, then choose air cargo (arrives Tuesday, XCD $10/lb) or sea cargo (5-day transit, XCD $6/lb for small packages). You'll also pay customs duty and a 15% ABST sales tax on imports. Faster Freight and West Tech Shipping are solid alternatives with different pricing models.
Living on one of the world's most beautiful islands comes with one small catch: online shopping is complicated. Most US retailers won't ship internationally. And when they do, the fees can wipe out any savings.
That's where package forwarding comes in. With OEC Antigua, residents and expats get a real Miami address they can use on any US website. OEC receives your packages at that address, then ships them to Antigua by air or sea. It's one of the most practical services available for Antigua's 90,000-plus residents.
This guide covers everything you need to know. How OEC Antigua works. How to register. What air and sea shipping actually costs. How customs duty and ABST are calculated. And how OEC stacks up against Faster Freight and West Tech Shipping.
Whether you're preparing for Amazon Prime Day in July, stocking up before hurricane season, or buying back-to-school supplies in August, this is your complete 2026 shop-and-ship playbook for Antigua.
Explore all the professional services available in Antigua on AntiguaSearch.com.
What Is OEC Antigua and How Does Package Forwarding Work?
Package forwarding gives you a US mailing address. You shop from any US retailer, ship to that address, and the forwarding company ships your packages from the US to Antigua. You pick them up locally or get them delivered to your door.
OEC Antigua is a Caribbean-focused freight forwarder rooted in Miami. The parent company, OEC Supply Inc., was founded in 1989 by Oron Carty, an Antigua native who started by shipping health and beauty products across the Caribbean. His son Erwin Carty later transformed it into the freight forwarding company it is today.
OEC Antigua's local hub opened over the past decade and is now one of the most recognisable freight options in St. John's. The company's headquarters in Miami is at 3254 NW 38th Street, Miami FL 33142, which serves as your personal receiving address.
Once you register, you get two codes: OEC-AIR for air shipments and OEC-SEA for sea shipments. You attach one of these codes to your name at checkout, and OEC knows exactly who the package belongs to.
The service works with virtually any online retailer. OEC's website shows logos for Amazon, Walmart, Shein, Home Depot, eBay, Best Buy, Gap, Etsy, and Target. If a US site ships domestically, you can order from it.
There's also a helpful feature for customers who don't have a US credit card or prefer to pay locally. OEC's hands-on shopping service means their team can place the order on your behalf. You pay OEC locally. No international card needed.
How Do You Register for Your OEC Antigua Address?
Go to oecantigua.com, click Sign Up, and complete the registration form. You'll receive your personal OEC Miami address, including your unique OEC-AIR and OEC-SEA codes. Registration is free. Use your new address at checkout like any US address.
Once registered, the process is straightforward:
- Shop on your favourite US website and use your OEC address at checkout.
- Email a copy of your invoice and tracking number to invoices.oec@gmail.com as soon as you place the order. This step is important. It helps OEC process your package faster.
- OEC receives your package at their Miami warehouse and logs it into the system.
- You receive email updates at every stage: received, shipped, and ready for pickup.
- Collect your package at Hills Park Unit 7, Friars Hill Road, St. John's, directly behind Digicel Headquarters and the Courts building. Or opt for door-to-door delivery.
OEC is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, 9am to 2pm. Call them at 268-561-8899 or email oecantigua@gmail.com.
If you are looking for other businesses and services in St. John's, the AntiguaSearch directory has over 680 listings in the capital parish.
OEC Shipping Rates: Air Cargo vs. Sea Cargo Explained
Air cargo is the faster option. Sea cargo is the cheaper option. Here is exactly what OEC currently charges.
Air Cargo (by OEC)
OEC's published air rate is XCD $10.00 per pound, plus handling, duties, and insurance. Air cargo departs Miami every Monday at 11am and arrives in Antigua the next business day (Tuesday). That is roughly a one-day transit time.
Your address format for air:
(YOUR NAME) OEC-AIR 3254 NW 38th ST MIAMI FL 33142
Sea Cargo (by OEC)
Sea rates are lower:
- Small packages: XCD $6.00 per pound, plus handling, duties, and insurance.
- Large items (washer, stove, refrigerator): XCD $30.00 per cubic foot, plus handling, duties, and insurance.
Sea cargo departs Miami every Tuesday. Cut-off is 4pm on Monday. OEC's sea transit is 5 days port to port, though schedules can vary due to weather.
Your address format for sea:
(YOUR NAME) OEC-SEA 3254 NW 38th ST MIAMI FL 33142
Key Takeaways on Rates
Remember that XCD $10.00 is approximately USD $3.70 at current exchange rates (XCD is pegged at 2.70 to the US dollar). So OEC's air rate of roughly USD $3.70/lb is very competitive for the Caribbean.
Always send your invoice and tracking number to OEC immediately after ordering. They explicitly state this gets you "the fastest exceptional service possible."
What Will You Pay in Customs Duty and ABST?
All imported goods entering Antigua are subject to customs duty and ABST (Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax). Customs duty rates vary by product category. ABST is charged at a flat 15% rate. Antigua uses the CIF method to calculate duty, meaning the taxable value includes the cost of the goods, insurance, and freight combined.
This is the part most guides skip. Let's break it down clearly.
The CIF Method
Antigua calculates import taxes using the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) method. That means you don't just pay duty on what the item cost. You pay duty on the item's value plus the shipping cost plus insurance. So a $100 item shipped with $30 freight and $5 insurance has a taxable value of $135, not $100.
Customs Duty Rates
Duty rates vary by product type. Antigua is a member of CARICOM (Caribbean Community), and many rates follow the CARICOM Common External Tariff. Consumer electronics, clothing, and household items typically attract rates between 5% and 45%. Always check with the Customs and Excise Division at customs.gov.ag before ordering expensive items.
ABST (Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax)
ABST is charged at 15% on most imported goods. Note that the standard VAT rate increased to 17% on January 1, 2024, but ABST on most goods remains at 15%. Hotels and tourist accommodations pay a reduced rate of 12.5%.
Practical Example
Say you order a pair of sneakers for USD $80, shipped by air for USD $30. Your CIF value is USD $110. If the duty rate on footwear is 20%, you owe USD $22 in duty. ABST at 15% on the duty-inclusive value adds another USD $19.80. Total taxes: roughly USD $41.80 on an $80 purchase. It adds up. Factor this in before clicking Buy.
Your freight forwarder handles customs clearance on your behalf. The charges are passed on to you at pickup.
OEC vs. Faster Freight vs. West Tech: Which Is Right for You?
This is the comparison nobody has published yet. Here is an honest look at the three main options available to Antiguan residents in 2026.
OEC Antigua
- Location: Hills Park Unit 7, Friars Hill Road, St. John's
- Air rate: XCD $10/lb (roughly USD $3.70/lb)
- Sea rate: XCD $6/lb for small packages; XCD $30/cubic foot for large items
- Air schedule: Departs Miami Monday, arrives Antigua Tuesday
- Sea schedule: 5-day transit
- Extras: Door-to-door delivery, hands-on shopping for those without a credit card, email tracking notifications
- Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers and those who prefer personal service from an Antigua-owned business with 36+ years in the industry
Faster Freight
Faster Freight is a newer, technology-forward carrier on Friars Hill Road. They offer a full suite of services including air freight, ocean freight (LCL and FCL), RoRo for vehicles and heavy equipment, customs brokerage, and trucking. Their digital platform includes real-time tracking, instant courier quotes, online payments, and WhatsApp support.
Their network spans the USA, China, Panama, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, the UK, and Canada. This makes them the better choice for business owners importing commercial goods or shipping vehicles.
Faster Freight also offers a mailbox and courier service for personal shoppers, similar to OEC. Their rate structure is available via an online quote tool on their website. They have 25 Google reviews and strong ratings for speed and customer service.
- Best for: Business importers, vehicle shippers, and tech-savvy users who want real-time digital tracking
West Tech Shipping
West Tech Shipping is a regional powerhouse serving St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, Dominica, and Antigua. Their air freight rate to Antigua is USD $10.00 per pound plus USD $5.00 handling. Sea freight is USD $25.00 handling per piece, plus USD $20.00 per cubic foot.
West Tech's air transit is notably fast at 2 business days. They also offer a door-to-door delivery option, a mobile app, and a "Shippy Points" loyalty programme where every dollar spent earns a redeemable point.
Their sea freight storage policy is strict: you have 5 business days to collect after receiving your pickup notification, after which daily storage fees apply.
- Best for: Shoppers who want a mobile-first experience, loyalty rewards, or who already use West Tech on other Caribbean islands
At a Glance
| | OEC Antigua | Faster Freight | West Tech | |---|---|---|---| | Air Rate | XCD $10/lb (~USD $3.70) | Quote-based | USD $10/lb + $5 handling | | Sea Rate | XCD $6/lb small | Quote-based | USD $20/cu ft + $25 handling | | Transit Air | ~1 day | Fast, daily | ~2 days | | Door Delivery | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Mobile App | No | Yes | Yes | | Best For | Value, local service | Business, tech-savvy | Regional shoppers |
If you run a business in Antigua and want your operation visible to thousands of monthly searchers, add your listing on AntiguaSearch.com and reach residents, expats, and visitors all at once.
What Can You Actually Buy? The Best Stores for Antiguan Shoppers
You can shop from virtually any US retailer that ships domestically. Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Shein, Home Depot, Etsy, eBay, and Gap are all popular choices. The key rule: if the store ships to a US address, you can use it.
Here are the most popular categories Antiguans order through forwarding services:
Electronics: Amazon and Best Buy have the widest selection. Think phones, tablets, smart TVs, sound systems, and gaming consoles.
Home Appliances: Washers, stoves, and refrigerators come in under OEC's cubic-foot sea rate. Order from Home Depot or Costco, ship OEC-SEA, and save significantly over local retail prices.
Clothing and Footwear: ASOS ships to US addresses. So do Nike, Adidas, Gap, and Nordstrom. Shein is extremely popular for budget fashion.
School Supplies: August is back-to-school season. Ordering from Amazon and Walmart ahead of the cut-off is far cheaper than buying locally.
Specialty and Hard-to-Find Items: Etsy is perfect for custom or handmade goods. Chewy ships pet supplies. Vitacost handles vitamins and supplements.
One important note: prohibited items include weapons, live animals, perishable foods, liquids, and hazardous materials. Never try to ship these through a forwarding service. Always check with your forwarder if you are unsure about a specific item.
Looking for what's available locally? Browse retail shopping across Antigua on AntiguaSearch.com to find stores that might have what you need right here on the island.
Pro Tips to Save Money and Avoid Delays
These practical tips can reduce your total landed cost and prevent frustrating holdups.
1. Consolidate your packages. Ordering five items from five different stores means five separate shipping charges. Where possible, order everything from one retailer in a single transaction. If you use multiple retailers, let OEC know all tracking numbers upfront so they can batch your shipment.
2. Send your invoice immediately. OEC explicitly states that emailing your invoice and tracking number to invoices.oec@gmail.com without delay is what gets you the fastest service. Do this the moment you complete a purchase.
3. Time your orders around the Monday air cut-off. Air cargo leaves Miami every Monday at 11am. If your package arrives at OEC's Miami warehouse by then, it ships that day and lands in Antigua on Tuesday. Miss that cut-off and you wait another week.
4. Use sea freight for heavy, non-urgent items. Appliances, furniture, and bulk household goods are always cheaper by sea. The 5-day transit is worth the savings at XCD $6/lb versus $10/lb for air.
5. Calculate your total landed cost before you buy. Add up: item price + US shipping to Miami + OEC freight rate + estimated duty + ABST. Use customs.gov.ag to look up duty rates by product category. What looks like a bargain can turn costly if you don't factor in taxes.
6. Keep your original receipts. Customs can inspect any package. Having a clear, itemised invoice helps speed up the clearance process and avoids delays from documentation queries.
7. Pre-hurricane season stocking. May and June are smart months to bring in emergency supplies, backup generators, tools, and non-perishable goods before hurricane season peaks. OEC's sea rate makes bulk orders cost-effective.
Conclusion
Package forwarding has changed the way Antiguans shop. Instead of paying inflated local prices or waiting for rare sales, residents can now access the full range of US retail at their fingertips.
OEC Antigua remains a trusted, Antigua-rooted option on Friars Hill Road. Their XCD $10/lb air rate and XCD $6/lb sea rate for small packages are competitive for the region. The hands-on shopping feature and door-to-door delivery make it accessible to everyone, whether or not you have a US credit card.
Faster Freight is the go-to for businesses, vehicle imports, and anyone who wants a full digital logistics experience. West Tech Shipping suits shoppers already part of their Caribbean network who want loyalty rewards and a mobile app.
Whichever service you choose, the formula is the same: register, get your Miami address, shop, send your invoice, and receive your package. Just remember to factor in duty and ABST, time your orders around weekly cut-offs, and consolidate where you can.
Discover more local services across St. John's parish and find everything Antigua has to offer on AntiguaSearch.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up for OEC Antigua? Visit oecantigua.com and click Sign Up to create your account. Registration is free. You will receive a Miami shipping address with two codes: OEC-AIR for air freight and OEC-SEA for sea freight. Use your assigned address at checkout on any US website and email your invoice and tracking details to invoices.oec@gmail.com after each order.
How long does shipping from OEC Antigua take? Air cargo departs Miami every Monday at 11am and arrives in Antigua the following day (Tuesday), making the effective transit roughly one business day. Sea cargo departs every Tuesday and takes approximately 5 days port to port, though weather conditions can affect schedules. Allow 1 to 2 extra days for processing and distribution after arrival.
Do I have to pay customs duty on packages shipped through OEC? Yes. All imported goods are subject to Antigua customs duty and ABST (Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax). Antigua uses the CIF method, meaning duty is calculated on the combined cost of the item, insurance, and freight charges. ABST is charged at 15% on most goods. Your freight forwarder handles customs clearance, and any duty owed is passed on to you at pickup.
What is the difference between OEC Antigua and Faster Freight? OEC Antigua focuses on personal package forwarding with transparent per-pound rates in XCD. Faster Freight is a full-service logistics provider offering air freight, ocean freight (LCL and FCL), vehicle shipping via RoRo, customs brokerage, and trucking. Faster Freight suits businesses and commercial importers. OEC suits individual shoppers and smaller household orders. Both are located on Friars Hill Road in St. John's.
Can I use a package forwarding service to ship large appliances to Antigua? Yes. OEC's sea cargo rate for large items such as washers, stoves, and refrigerators is XCD $30.00 per cubic foot, plus handling, duties, and insurance. Faster Freight also handles FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) ocean freight for bulk shipments. For very large or heavy items, sea freight is always significantly cheaper than air. Just factor in the 5-day-plus transit time and calculate your total landed cost including customs duty before ordering.