A Bermuda businesswoman has linked up with a US firm to offer a new shipping service for the Island.

Dawn Zuill, owner of Daisy & Mac, said her own frustration with high shipping costs had spurred her to establish the new service.

Island Bargains of Bermuda launched last week. The shipping and air freight service already ships goods to 23 Caribbean islands from its Florida affiliate and claims to be able to offer “the lowest available shipping rates to Bermuda”.

“Having shipped goods to Bermuda for my own retail store and for my other businesses, I am aware of the frustration consumers and businesses experience with high shipping costs to Bermuda,” said Island Bargains of Bermuda operator Dawn Zuill.

“We are thrilled to have found a partner in the US with a proven track record who can help us provide a low-cost and reliable service to Bermuda.

“Island Bargains’ user-friendly website and highly efficient warehousing and consolidation service in Fort Lauderdale has been successfully serving customers in the Caribbean for many years and we look forward to bringing the service to Bermuda residents and businesses.”

The service operates out of Daisy & Mac in the Bermudiana Arcade on Queen Street. Customers can collect their packages there or have them delivered.

Ms Zuill added: “We are able to offer local consumers a shipping price of $10 per cubic foot, which would be a package about the size of a toaster. This will help individuals and businesses to make their dollars stretch further which will help businesses offer lower prices and consumers to spend more effectively.”

Mrs Zuill said air freight goods can be shipped for $15 for the first pound and for $4 for each pound thereafter.

“For items of more than eight cubic feet, a quote will be provided. There are no extra fees. All customers have to do is pay the Customs duty and wharfage before they collect the goods in Bermuda or we can deliver them for a modest cost.”

The service allows customers to send US online purchases to an address in Fort Lauderdale, where the goods are consolidated for shipment on the Somers Isles container ship, which sails to Bermuda every ten days. Customers can also buy goods through the Island Bargains website for an all-inclusive price.

The service sends air freight shipments to Bermuda twice a week, but the frequency could increase if demand rises, Island Bargains said in a statement yesterday.

For more information, go to www.islandbargains.com or call 441-295-7470.