Menu
Expat.com

We need our truck but can not afford to buy a new one

Last activity 25 April 2023 by Brigitte B

Post new topic

followthespiritministry

@Julien

Greetings from Follow the Spirit Ministry. We have a traveling ministry of the word and music. We plan to move to Belize to continue this journey. We pull a trailer with music equipment. It is set up so we can play music from the trailer, broadening our outreach. The truck is a 2007 1-ton deisel. Recently we discovered the truck is too old to enter on a QRp. We plan to use both the QRP for one and the work visa for the other. We need the truck to deliver to our ministry but cannot afford to buy a new one. Is there another approach we should consider to moving to Belize?

Brigitte B

Just import your vehicle/trailer and belongings. It’s a simple and quick process.

DnBR

@Brigitte B


First welcome to Followthespirit


Secondly, Brigitte B, can you elaborate? My wife and I are moving in the next couple of months. I'll be on an employment visa.

I need to drive, because we have a dog that cannot fly, so I'll be coming with a pick up (2011) and trailer. I shall have paperwork from the university for my visa.


How aggressive is customs at the Corozal border in valuing possessions?

The vehicle, there's websites that provide value, so I feel ok with that. I'll also be bringing several hundred pounds of academic books that don't have a market value, plus the usual clothes, mundane tools and personal items. I'm an educator, so not wealthy, and have fears of losing my life savings just to enter country.

followthespiritministry

@Brigitte B

We understand that one cannot import vehicles over 3 years old is this true?

Thank you for your reply Brigitte

Brigitte B

@Brigitte B
We understand that one cannot import vehicles over 3 years old is this true?
Thank you for your reply Brigitte
-@followthespiritministry

That is not true.

Only QRP has a rule that a vehicle has to be under 5 years old.

If you don’t come in under QRP, just about any age vehicle can be imported into Belize.

Brigitte B

@Brigitte B
First welcome to Followthespirit

Secondly, Brigitte B, can you elaborate? My wife and I are moving in the next couple of months. I'll be on an employment visa.
I need to drive, because we have a dog that cannot fly, so I'll be coming with a pick up (2011) and trailer. I shall have paperwork from the university for my visa.

How aggressive is customs at the Corozal border in valuing possessions?
The vehicle, there's websites that provide value, so I feel ok with that. I'll also be bringing several hundred pounds of academic books that don't have a market value, plus the usual clothes, mundane tools and personal items. I'm an educator, so not wealthy, and have fears of losing my life savings just to enter country.
-@DnBR

I can’t elaborate on your visa and/or entry status in Belize.


You should get a broker to get your vehicle/trailer and belongings into Belize.


There is typically no duty on books. There used to be a minimal charge called environmental tax. Not sure if that still applies.


I suggest making a detailed list of everything in your vehicle and trailer.

Put a cost with each item. If items are used, use yard sale prices. Anything new, bring receipts,


If traveling with a trailer full of stuff, Mexico may require you to get a broker as well. Some people get through without a broker. It’s s crapshoot,


https://www.customs.gov.bz/Customs.html

This site provides some rates of duty.


Vehicles are not imported into Belize on Sundays.

I’d avoid Saturday as well.

Plan your drive so you don’t have to cross any borders on a weekend.


Make sure you get a Belize import permit for your dog as well as a health certificate satisfying the import conditions.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Belize

  • How to drive in Belize
    How to drive in Belize

    In Belize, you can drive with an international driver's license, and you can often drive with a license from ...

  • Using phones in Belize
    Using phones in Belize

    Belize has a national telecommunications company, Belize Telemedia, Limited, and several mobile phone companies ...

  • Connecting to the internet in Belize
    Connecting to the internet in Belize

    Belize enjoys decent internet coverage. Unfortunately it is slow and expensive. The country has many internet ...

  • Where's the Beef?
    Where's the Beef?

    Before visiting Belize to determine if it was a country we could permanently relocate to, we did an awful lot of ...

  • Sports in Belize
    Sports in Belize

    Sport has always been a part of Belizean life. Although the country does not have a lot in terms of professional ...

  • Banking in Belize
    Banking in Belize

    Belize was once known to be a real banking haven, a place where banking secrecy was guaranteed. The situation ...

  • Childcare and education in Belize
    Childcare and education in Belize

    If you are moving to Belize with your family, you likely have questions about child care and education. There are ...

  • How to handle your mail when you move to Belize
    How to handle your mail when you move to Belize

    When you’re moving to another country, one of the most challenging tasks you’ll face is how to deal ...

All of Belize's guide articles