Frequently Asked Questions

Assista is a licensed Bahamian customs brokerage. Assista prepares and reviews customs entries, coordinates submissions, and guides clients through clearance — the customs side of your shipment specifically.

No. Assista does not move or ship your goods. Assista handles the customs brokerage side — documentation, compliance, and clearance — working alongside whichever carrier or freight service you're using.

Request a Quote if you know the service you need, use Contact if you're unsure, or message Assista through WhatsApp for general guidance.

Assista operates digitally, so most matters are handled through the website, WhatsApp, email, and telephone. Where an exceptional situation requires an in-person step, Assista will give you specific instructions.

Professional customs recommendations and brokerage services are reviewed by a Licensed Customs Broker where applicable. Digital tools make the process faster and more accessible — they don't replace that professional judgment.

This depends on your shipment. Common documents include the commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill, and packing list. Assista confirms exactly what's needed once you submit your request — we don't ask for everything upfront.

At present, by WhatsApp or email — see the Document Submission page for the full process. These are the only channels currently available; neither is a dedicated secure upload facility.

Yes. Sending documents early, after Assista confirms what is needed, gives time to identify obvious gaps or questions before customs action proceeds.

Tell us. Assista will explain the next step, which may include obtaining the missing document, clarifying whether another form of supporting information is acceptable, or waiting until the requirement can be satisfied.

Not with certainty in advance. The Duty Calculator gives an indicative planning estimate, but final duties and taxes are determined by Bahamas Customs at the time of clearance.

The Duty Calculator is a free, self-service planning tool based on the general information you provide. It gives an indicative estimate only — not a final tariff classification or customs declaration — and the amount Bahamas Customs actually assesses may differ.

Duties, fees, exchange rates, and administrative practice can change between an estimate and final clearance, and Bahamas Customs makes the final determination on classification and valuation — not Assista.

Yes — this is one of the most valuable times to reach out. Vehicle-specific duties, age or condition requirements, documentation, and other applicable import rules may affect whether a particular vehicle makes financial sense to import.

This varies by vehicle and origin. Contact Assista with details about the vehicle you're considering, and we'll advise on what to secure from the seller before you commit.

Yes — Commercial Imports covers both a single commercial shipment and an ongoing import relationship. See Services for more detail.

Assista can help identify whether a concession, exemption, or preferential treatment framework may apply to your circumstances, and prepare the supporting information. Eligibility and approval are determined by the relevant authority, not guaranteed by Assista.

Ava is Assista's Virtual Assistant — the digital doorway most clients use to reach Assista through WhatsApp. Ava helps answer general questions and points you to the right next step. Ava does not make customs decisions or replace the licensed broker's judgment.

No. Browsing the website, requesting an estimate, or sending an initial message doesn't, by itself, create a client engagement. An engagement begins once Assista has confirmed the applicable service and, where relevant, you've approved a quotation.