U.S. Food Export to Bermuda

Chihade International supplies American food products to importers, hotels and foodservice operators in Bermuda, shipped from our SQF-certified facility in Georgia. We are looking for a distributor partner in Bermuda.

Why Bermuda

Bermuda relies on imports for practically all of its food, and the U.S. supplies nearly three quarters of its agricultural imports. Retail sales were around $300 million in 2024, with 2025 visitor spending at $550 million across 199,193 air arrivals — so hospitality demand is a meaningful share of the market.

One practical point specific to us: Bermuda sources most of its food imports through New York, Newark and Philadelphia rather than South Florida. That is a genuine consideration for freight originating in Georgia, and it is an area where a distributor partner who already controls that lane adds real value. It is worth planning around from the outset.

What We Do From the U.S.

We are a U.S. exporter. We do not operate warehouses or distribution in Bermuda — that is what our distributor partners do. Our job is everything on the American side of the shipment:

• Sourcing from more than 300 U.S. manufacturers, to your specification
• Consolidating mixed loads into full containers, so you are not forced into single-supplier minimums
• Dry, chilled and frozen storage in our 64,000 sq. ft. SQF-certified facility in Lawrenceville, Georgia
• English-language labelling, stickering and ink-jet date coding applied before goods leave the U.S.
• Export documentation — USDA and health certificates, halal certification where required, certificates of origin
• Ocean and air freight on contracted U.S. lanes, with expedited air for urgent replenishment

Import Requirements We Prepare For

Environmental Health, within the Department of Health, is the food safety authority. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources controls plant and produce imports and issues produce import permits. HM Customs administers the tariff.

There is no U.S. free trade agreement and no VAT or sales tax — customs duty is the primary government revenue instrument, assessed on CIF value with no de minimis, plus a 1.25% wharfage fee. Bermuda operates a zero-duty essential goods list which was materially expanded in May 2026 to include items such as frozen fish, frozen turkey parts, deli meats, yoghurt, cottage cheese, crackers, oats, canned vegetables, pulses and nuts. Government estimated the relief would cut shelf prices by 5–25%.

Labelling is in English. Our understanding is that Bermuda has no mandatory food labelling legislation and accepts U.S. labels as they are, and that no product registration is required — but we should be straight that the most recent U.S. government report covering this dates from 2021, so we verify the current position with Environmental Health before a first shipment rather than relying on it.

The Port of Hamilton is the island’s only container port; L.F. Wade International handles air freight.

What We Look For in a Distributor Partner

We are deliberately selective, because these relationships tend to last decades rather than seasons. We are typically looking for:

• An established importer of record, with the licences and clearance experience the market requires
• Real coverage of at least one channel — modern retail, wholesale, foodservice distribution, or franchise supply
• Temperature-controlled storage and distribution appropriate to the categories you want to carry
• A sales team that can place and support a new brand rather than simply warehousing it
• An interest in a long-term programme, including exclusive lines where it makes sense for both sides

If that is a reasonable description of your business, we would like to talk.

See all markets we serve →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a warehouse or office in Bermuda?

No. Chihade International is a U.S. exporter based in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and we ship from there. We do not hold stock inside Bermuda. Local importing, clearance, storage and distribution are handled by our distributor partners — which is precisely the role we are looking to fill.

Do we have to order a full container of a single product?

No. Consolidation is one of the main reasons distributors work with us. We combine products from multiple U.S. manufacturers into one container, so you can carry a broad range without committing to full-truckload minimums from each supplier.

Can we get exclusive rights to a brand in our market?

In many cases, yes. Chihade International is the exclusive distributor of Country Sun, our own brand of American cheeses, mayonnaise, frying oils, cheese sauce and breakfast meats. Where it makes commercial sense on both sides, we grant exclusive Country Sun distribution rights by territory — a line your competitors cannot stock. See the range at countrysunfoods.com.

Does the essential goods list help our pricing?

It can, materially. Bermuda’s zero-duty essential goods list was expanded in May 2026 and now covers a range of frozen, dairy, dry grocery and canned lines. Since duty is the main tax on imports here, whether a product sits on that list has a real effect on landed cost. We check it per line when quoting.

Is Georgia a sensible origin for Bermuda freight?

It is worth discussing honestly. Most Bermudian food imports move through New York, Newark and Philadelphia rather than the Southeast, so routing needs thought. We consolidate in Georgia and can work with a partner who already controls a Northeast lane — and we will map that routing with you before the first shipment.

Do we need product registration or special labelling?

Our understanding is no on both counts, and that U.S. labels are accepted as-is. The caveat is that the most recent U.S. government report on Bermuda dates from 2021, so we confirm with Environmental Health before a first shipment rather than treating four-year-old guidance as current.

How We Work With Partners in Bermuda

Whichever channel you operate in, the U.S. side of the shipment is the same: sourcing, consolidation, preparation and documentation from our SQF-certified facility in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

• Franchise export — supplying U.S. franchise brands at their locations in Bermuda.
• Distributor partnerships — for importers and foodservice distributors carrying American lines.
• Retail and supermarket consolidation — an American grocery range without single-supplier minimums.
• Export warehousing and 3PL — dry, chilled and frozen under one roof in Georgia.
• All export services — the full picture of what we handle before a container sails.
• Beef and protein export — U.S. beef, poultry and seafood, including halal programmes, with plant eligibility confirmed for each market.

Useful reading: Multi-language labelling for exported U.S. food  ·  Container consolidation for food importers  ·  How to become a distributor partner  · How franchise export works ·  all export guides

Become Our Distributor Partner in Bermuda

Tell us about your market coverage and the products you are looking for, and we will be in touch about a distribution program.