A 55-gallon barrel of clothing, foodstuffs, electronics, and gifts is one of the most common shipments out of the United States. We have moved tens of thousands of them. Same barrel, same care, whether you are sending one to your mother in Lagos or fifty to a church in Freetown.
Barrel & personal effects
A diaspora service, run like a real freight program.
What we accept
Plastic barrels
Standard blue 55-gallon screw-top. Best for clothes, food, hygiene, dry goods.
Steel barrels
Heavier, more secure. Best for electronics, tools, heavier appliances.
Suitcases & cartons
Pre-packed cases, sealed cartons, palletized boxes. Priced by CBM, same lane as barrels.
Small appliances
Generators, fridges, stoves, fans, sewing machines, fitness equipment. Crated or palletized.
Mattresses & furniture
Sofas, beds, dining sets. Note: used mattresses banned in some countries - ask first.
Documents & gifts
Sealed gift parcels for birthdays, weddings, funerals. We coordinate timing where we can.
How to ship a barrel - start to finish
Step 1 - Buy or reuse a barrel
Empty barrels are sold at our CFS for a flat fee, or you bring your own. Standard 55-gallon plastic is the most common.
Step 2 - Pack at home or at our CFS
Pack the barrel at home. Keep a contents list (we'll provide a template). Or drop unpacked items at our CFS and we pack them for you.
Step 3 - Drop off or schedule pickup
Drop the sealed barrel at our CFS in Laurel MD, or schedule pickup. Pickup fee depends on distance.
Step 4 - Pay & receive your tracking
Per-barrel rate covers ocean freight, AES filing, CFS handling, and master container loading. Customs duty at destination is paid by the consignee.
Step 5 - Ocean transit
Your barrel sails inside the master container on the next weekly cutoff. Transit 22-35 days port-to-port depending on destination.
Step 6 - Pickup at destination
Consignee receives a notice and picks up at the destination CFS, or we arrange door delivery to their address. They clear customs and pay duties at that point.
What goes in a barrel - and what doesn't
Goes in barrels
Clothes, shoes, bedding, toiletries, hygiene products, dry foodstuffs (rice, beans, sugar - within destination food rules), kitchen items, school supplies, tools, sealed electronics, gifts.
Does not go in barrels
Cash, jewelry, weapons, drugs, prescription medication without scrip, fresh food, lithium batteries above carrier limits, aerosols, paint, gasoline-powered tools with fuel, anything restricted at destination.
Destination customs
Duty rules — quick guide
Each country prices duties differently. Some rules of thumb our brokers see in practice.
- NG
Nigeria
Duties on used items are calculated against a customs value the officer assesses, not your declared value. Get a destination customs quote before sealing the barrel if cost matters.
- GH
Ghana
Diaspora "settler" status can reduce duty on household goods returning with a citizen. Documentation must be ready before the barrel arrives.
- SL
- LR
- GM
Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia
Generally lower duty rates; food items face stricter inspection at the port.
- CI
- SN
- TG
- BJ
Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Togo, Benin
Customs requires translated invoices and detailed contents lists. Submit in French to avoid hold-ups.
We give every barrel shipper a one-page country-specific guide at booking.
Pickup - anywhere in the US
We pick up barrels and personal effects from any US ZIP. Common origins:
DMV / Northeast
Maryland, DC, Virginia, NJ, NY, PA, MA, CT, RI. Same-week pickup most ZIPs.
Southeast
GA, FL, NC, SC, AL, TN. 1-2 week pickup.
Midwest
IL, OH, MI, MN, IN, WI. 2-week consolidation cycle.
Texas & Gulf
Houston, Dallas, Austin. Direct routing through Galveston / Freeport.
West Coast
CA, AZ, NV, WA. Either rail east or transload via Houston.
All other states
Quoted per ZIP. Rural pickups available with extra lead time.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a barrel to Nigeria?
Per-barrel rates vary by destination and season. Get a current quote in one business day. Pricing covers ocean freight, AES, CFS handling. Destination duty and clearance are extra and paid by the consignee.
Can I ship just one barrel?
Yes. We have no minimum. One barrel rides inside our weekly master container.
Can I include foodstuffs?
Most dry, sealed foods are fine - rice, beans, palm oil, dried fish, spices. Fresh meat, raw dairy, fresh produce, and most pharmaceutical-grade supplements are not. Check with us when you book.
What if my barrel gets damaged?
We offer all-risk cargo insurance for 0.5-1.5% of declared value. Without insurance, the carrier's standard liability is very limited (typically $500/package). We strongly recommend insurance for barrels with electronics or appliances.
Can my family pay duties on my behalf?
Yes - duties are paid at destination by whoever picks up the barrel. We can also arrange a door delivery option where our local agent handles clearance and brings the barrel home for an extra fee.
Send a barrel home.
Tell us how many barrels, the destination port, and the pickup ZIP. We'll quote within one business day.