The US-based partner in a new Bermuda business offering low cost shipping to the Island said business was booming in the Caribbean.

Richard Chilton, whose Florida-based Island Bargains now serves nearly 30 countries across the Caribbean and Latin America, said he was delighted to be doing business in Bermuda.

Mr Chilton’s firm has teamed up with businesswoman Dawn Zuill, of Hamilton’s Atlantic Relocators and Daisy & Mac, to create Island Bargains of Bermuda.

And he said: “It’s a great match — it’s an ideal match for us because all our agents are reliable.”

Mr Chilton added: “We are flat fee, all inclusive and have been doing business for six years and our customers base has grown enormously.

“People have used us over and over again and continue to use us because there are no surprises or hidden fees.

“The traditional methods of shipping are fees, fees, fees. We have taken and consolidated all that together to provide an all-inclusive rate — and customers have been impressed.”

He added: “It opens up the online superhighway to Bermudians and also allows customers to shop freely online.”

Mr Chilton, 44, was speaking on his first visit to Bermuda to meet staff at his new partner and familiarise himself with the software, as well as promoting the new shipping service on-Island.

He said he got into the business — which now operates from a 20,000 sq ft warehouse in Fort Lauderdale — six years ago after a friend who sold roofing materials told him a counterpart in the Bahamas was having difficulty getting supplies.

Mr Chilton said: “As a salesman, I ended selling a variety of goods in the Bahamas, shipping goods from Florida and it grew from there.”

He explained he teamed up with Ms Zuill after she and colleague Roddy Petty heard rave reviews of the firm’s operations in Turks & Caicos.

Mr Chilton said: “They decided they wanted to be the agent here.”

Island Bargains, which claims the lowest shipping rates to Bermuda of $10 per cubic foot, runs the Island Bargains website, which offers 3,000 different food, beverage and household items,

The service also allows customers to send US online buys to the Fort Lauderdale facility, where goods are transported to the Island on the Somers Isles container ship, which sails to the Island every ten days.

An air freight service, which operates twice weekly, is also on offer for $15 for the first pound and $4 a pound over that.

Items of more than eight cubic feet are subject to a quote and there are no extra fees, other than the standard Bermuda Customs duty and wharfage fees.

Customers can pick their goods up at the Island Bargains office at Daisy & Mac in Bermudiana Arcade on Queen Street or goods can be delivered for a fee.

Ms Zuill said buyers in Fort Lauderdale could also source specific items for Bermuda-based customers.

And she added: “Having been in retail for over a decade, the saving for commercial clients is also huge. I’m hoping to enable our retailers to get a stronger footing through these tough economic times.

“They can either reduce the price to their customers or bring in a wider range of goods, or both.”