Chainsaw

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member02 October 2015 20:58:25

Hello,

I will be flying down in a couple weeks to clear a small area on some property we bought earlier this year. A guy I have met there will be doing the clearing and requested that I should bring a chainsaw with me from the states because they are expensive in Belize. Does anyone have a ball park figure on the cost of a chainsaw in Belize? If I were to bring one from the states wouldn't I have to pay duty on it?
I'm thinking it would be best to just buy one in Belize and not worry about getting through the airport and paying duty.
If anyone has a rough idea of the cost of a chainsaw that info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

mbarlow Contributor

Member since 13 September 2015

mbarlowContributor02 October 2015 21:15:29

127

Yes, unless you come in under the QRP, you will be paying duty and maybe a few other taxes (like the environmental tas, etc.)
I brought in my electric chain saw under the QRP, but meeting the requirements for the QRP gets more and more difficult as the US economy fails. For med, that is, since I have property in both countries. Plus a place in Panama that I must now start paying taxes on.

GuestPoster597 Guest

GuestPoster597Guest02 October 2015 21:28:47

i have some property in the Toledo district , and flew down with a chainsaw and professional weed-whacker in my checked luggage. I broke down both pieces of equipment so that I could pack them properly.. When I got the customs line at Belize International airport, I was called over to a desk where the agent opened and inspected my bags, and clearly saw both pieces of equipment. He let me pass through but told me that the next time i would have to pay duty. I did not enquire as to what that was. I'm not recommending that you do that, I'm just sharing my experience.

doglady Contributor

Member since 02 May 2013

dogladyContributor02 October 2015 22:41:23

110

Just a thought.... you can rent a car, rent a bike, rent a golf cart. Is there a hardware store anywhere near you or a landscaping company that might rent you one?

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member02 October 2015 23:17:58

That would be a great option if there is a place to rent one. Closest town would be San Ignacio.
Thanks for the suggestion. I would still be willing to buy one if they were not too outragous.

Brigitte B Serial expat

Member since 04 February 2013

Brigitte BSerial expat03 October 2015 00:25:13

331

There are quite a few places to buy chainsaws in Spanish Lookout and Belmopan. We bought most our power tools in Spanish Lookout and didn't find the prices to be much more than up here in Canada. Mostly same brands as well. Sometimes you'll get a bit of a discount for paying cash. Check Universal Hardware, Midwest Steel, Farmers Trading in Spanish Lookout. Or Builder's and Belmopan Aggregates and Hardware.

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member04 October 2015 14:35:44

Thank you for the info. I will check out the hardware stores in Spanish Lookout. That sounds like the best way to go.
Thanks again for everyone's input.

cutiepie23 New member

Member since 06 January 2014

cutiepie23New member05 October 2015 16:30:04

It will be three times the cost- I checked pricing last year in Spanish Lookout

I had my lots cleared and filled - where are u building- I have lots in Hopkins

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member05 October 2015 16:46:42

Thanks for the info. Our lot is about 12 miles south of San Ignacio on the Cristo Rey.
Anyone have a used chainsaw that they would be willing to sell?
I'll be in the San Ignacio area in a couple weeks and will have a car.

terrific Serial expat

Member since 11 August 2013

terrificSerial expat11 October 2015 04:45:30

#10

582

At the end of October Penner Hardware in Belmopan is having their annual customer appreciation sale and its usually a good time to pick up these sort of items, bought a generator in last years sale at 30% off and its been great, I might be checking out the chainsaws this year myself.

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member11 October 2015 14:35:59

#11

Thank you for that info. I'll stop by next week when I get down there.

terrific Serial expat

Member since 11 August 2013

terrificSerial expat11 October 2015 16:43:24

#12

582

OOOPS just realized I said Penners should have said the name it is now Belmopan Agregates and Hardware. Just used te old name I remember it as. The dates are 22nd to 24th Thursday to Saturday.

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member11 October 2015 17:40:22

#13

Thanks for the correction. I was just sending you a not to see if it went by a different name.

1LarryS Active member

Member since 24 June 2015

1LarrySActive member12 October 2015 10:50:03

#14

How about shipping the saw FedEx to this person? I could use his services.
Is he reputable? Is there a contact for your guy you discovered? Can you and I talk, via PM or phone? Hope my suggestion was useful.
Thanks

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member14 October 2015 01:50:52

#15

Thank you for the info on the sale at the hardware store. They sent me a sale flyer and it should be a good sale.

MartyP Member

Member since 08 July 2014

MartyPMember15 October 2015 13:36:39

#16

Just buy one when you get there as you will probably pay more in duty. Where are you planning to clear the land?

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member15 October 2015 14:28:10

#17

Yes I plan on buying one when I get there. The land is outside San Ignacio towards San Antoino.

MartyP Member

Member since 08 July 2014

MartyPMember15 October 2015 15:18:55

#18

Okay in case you done know the area, there is a STHIL dealership in Spanish Lookout opposite Midwest Steel you will be able to pick up everything you need there.

bwd61 Active member

Member since 18 September 2015

bwd61Active member15 October 2015 15:28:29

#19

Thanks, I will stop by and see what they have.

davidsbrenchley Active member

Member since 09 September 2021

davidsbrenchleyActive member06 July 2022 22:51:36

#20

How about shipping the saw FedEx to this person? I could use his services.
Is he reputable? Is there a contact for your guy you discovered? Can you and I talk, via PM or phone? Hope my suggestion was useful.
Thanks
- @1LarryS Last I checked there is no FedEx in Belize. DHL is the only option and I have heard horror stories.

brentkotchorek New member

Member since 07 June 2022

brentkotchorekNew member07 July 2022 00:53:49

#21

@bwd61 I guess a lot of equipment cost quite a bit in Belize. I also need a chainsaw among other things. I am bringing quite a few tools in my cargo trailer which I’m having shipped from Florida to Belize. Do I have to pay duty on all this equipment just tools mostly.

Aerodex Serial expat

Member since 30 September 2015

AerodexSerial expat07 July 2022 02:33:58

#22

258

@brentkotchorek

In 2019 59% of Belize GDP came from important duties. It's a major reason imported goods are high here.

With that being said, directly ask the import broker you are using to ship your things. They deal with it every day, and should be able to advise you.

larkintb New member

Member since 09 May 2022

larkintbNew member07 July 2022 13:49:50

#23

@bwd61

Hi, I live very close to this area in Santa Elena.

Have a man in Esperanza village that is a tree clearing expert and has his own gear. He has been clearing land for over 40 years and has a family with a truck to carry him around with his chain saws. I had three very difficult trees in an urban setting that had to miss houses when they came down. He did a superb job.

Lots of other people came and looked at the job but he just came and did it. Very very reasonable . I had about 5 estimates and his was even lower . Call me if you want his number . Telephone communication is always difficult but I could run you over to his house. Don’t like this Belize habit of asking immigrants to bring tools. Tom 600 7912

wri57 Active member

Member since 02 August 2018

wri57Active member07 July 2022 15:42:32

#24

@bwd61 Another poster suggested buying a saw in Spanish Look out. Good advise. Sooner or later you will need pats and repair work. Going back to where you bought it is always the best option.

Another alternative is to hire a guy who owns a saw. Labor is cheap here and if there are saw problems its his baby.

Aerodex Serial expat

Member since 30 September 2015

AerodexSerial expat07 July 2022 19:31:28

#25

258

@bwd61 Another poster suggested buying a saw in Spanish Look out. Good advise.
- @wri57

Every 2 years, there is an industrial expo held in Spanish Lookout. Many vendors have really great sales on name brand tools and supplies at the expo that weekend.

The year I went (2018) I bought a bunch of tools. Best deal I got was on the latest DeWalt power tool combo at a price a little lower than I bought a similar set on sale a few months earlier at Lowes in Texas. Unfortunately the Next one is not until March 2024. Never to early for long range planning 🤔

Brigitte B Serial expat

Member since 04 February 2013

Brigitte BSerial expat07 July 2022 20:11:30

#26

331

We just bought a new chainsaw today. At Crossroad Farm Supplies in Spanish Lookout. Our old Homelite 20” aged very quickly after Hurricane Earl, but still did an ok job, until it died last week.