Describes how widely e-Commerce is used, the primary sectors that sell through e-commerce, and how much product/service in each sector is sold through e-commerce versus brick-and-mortar retail. Includes what a company needs to know to take advantage of e-commerce in the local market and , reputable, prominent B2B websites.
Last Published: 9/27/2016

  • Growth in E-Commerce: Electronic commerce has grown significantly and is becoming increasingly important in The Bahamas. Consumers regularly access popular websites such as Ebay and Amazon and are able to use locally issued credit cards to make purchases. Goods are delivered to Florida-based freight forwarders and shipped to The Bahamas. In a few instances e-stores have partnered with express services and are now offering the added convenience of clearing items into the country and offer consumers prices that reflect local taxes. Most local companies do not provide online shopping but they maintain an Internet presence.  Bahamian companies have developed online classifieds, yellow pages and ad-agencies to promote local businesses.

  • Strong internet and telecommunications infrastructure: The Bahamas enjoys relatively good telecommunications infrastructure and has one of the highest mobile phone penetrations in the world.  Improvements  to the telecoms infrastructure now allows consumers to conduct banking transactions online, pay utility bills, and purchase some local, but mostly U.S., goods and services online.  All major banks issue debit and credit cards and the infrastructure for mobile debit purchases and mobile money is spreading in the archipelago. There is also growing use of social media to report the news and advertise new products and services in the country.

  • E-Government: The Government has recently launched an e-government initiative and allows residents to access apply and pay for a range of government services. Among the sectors with potential for growth are e-tourism, e-commerce, e-medical services and e-education.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.