IL Postcard

Don't Make This $17,000 Shipping Mistake

Date: 02/18/2004

International Living Postcards--your daily escape

Thursday, February 19, 2004
Cuenca, Ecuador

Dear Reader,

When you move overseas, one of the most important things you do will be to ship your household effects out of the old country and into the new. If not done properly, this could cost you thousands of unnecessary dollars.

When I moved from New York to Cuenca, Ecuador, the shipping was inexpensive, quicker than I expected, and relatively trouble-free. The shipping cost broke down as follows: $5,200 for moving from the top of a Manhattan high-rise to the container at the port; $3,550 to ship the container overseas, offload it at the port, bring it to my house in Cuenca, and unpack. At that rate, cost isn't much of an issue, especially since new residents of Ecuador can import their household effects--even if brand new--duty free.

If I were making the move again today I'd bring more things with me. Weight doesn't count, only volume, and you'll pay the same price whether you fill your container or not.

Deciding what to bring and what to leave behind depends on your destination. In Ecuador, bring your dishwasher, microwave, and range, since these things cost more here; the stainless steel Maytag dishwasher that we bought in Manhattan for $650 costs $1,300 in the local appliance store. But leave most of your furniture behind; you'll be able to get high-quality furniture custom made here for a fraction of the cost you'd pay in the United States.

Think twice about leaving behind quality tools, like your hedge trimmer, weed whacker, and Skill saw. Such items are imported and cost more as a result. My $79 Craftsman weed-whacker--sold at our yard sale for $20--cost me $140 to replace once I realized I needed one here (gardeners often don't have their own tools).

Here are some shipping tips, no matter your destination:

* Make sure your moving company has door-to-door responsibility and a reputable in-country agent. Two readers recently incurred a $17,000 customs bill by making a series of mistakes that could have been easily avoided with a good local agent. They've decided to abandon their shipment at the port, where it will be auctioned off.

* Prepare a complete inventory of everything you own, with serial numbers, year purchased, and approximate value, and add a reference to the mover's box number as the items are packed. Have your in-country agent review it, since he's the one who knows what will be acceptable at the docks…not your U.S. shipper or your contact at the consulate. He'll also help with items whose names differ, even among Spanish-speaking countries.

* Have your mover pick up your things a few days before you depart, so you can get the consulate to certify the inventory. Also, if there are any last-minute issues with the shipment, you'll still be in the country to resolve them.

* Most importantly, check the latest rules at the consular website (see below). I found Ecuador's online information more up-to-date than what was available at the desk in the New York consulate.

Lee Harrison
For International Living in Ecuador
E-mail: ecuador@internationalliving.com