Shipping furniture to DR

For some those possessions have meaning. Simple.

Not so simple.  Some people identify themselves by their possessions instead of the other way around. Of course there are exceptions, many exceptions.  A treasured Bauhaus  designed table is not the same as an IKEA.  It is my opinion that oft-times we are too posessive of our possessions. (I know,spelling errors)  I think it comes from having to live alone,(the spelling).  "To each his own".  But what if the "Each" doesn't have an "Own"?

No one else gets to decide what someone thinks is important except them.  Your ways are yours.

Listen to yourself: to each his own!

I do listen to myself & often share those thoughts with others.  My whole premise is to get people to maybe, just maybe, take a peek outside of the box.  Perhaps a different way to make that omelet, a little different taste.  Who knows, they might even like it.

It is almost time to have our container picked up for shipment.  I read it can take 2-3 weeks for our things to clear customs.  Do anyone know if that is in fact the case?  If so,  once our shipment arrives we report to the customs office with all our documents, then we just wait for them to contact us to come back and pay the necessary taxes and then its released?  Or am I totally confused with the process?

Good luck with your container. Others will have info to share about their experience with them. I have only shipped "Blue barrels", and not had problems or delays.  Whatever happens, sit back, have a drink & smile. You are in your new home. All will be well with the right attitude. Hope you can make the Meet-Up on the 20th. in Sosua. A good time to begin to net work with some of the old timers. Welcome to your new adventure.

You need an agent here to push your items through customs! Do not try to do this yourselves.  I have a good agent who can help you on the north coast, doesn't speak a lot of English but some. Modesto 809-980-2610 [email protected]

We are arriving in about a week, and we are only bringing what will fit in 3 suitcases each, plus 2 bicycles, and our 2 dogs.  We sold or gave away everything else.  That was quite a feeling in and of itself, and made us realize we don't need "things" to make us happy or show our status.  It was quite liberating, actually. We are happy with each other, and this forthcoming adventure is all we need.  The other items will be picked up locally, to give us a push in dealing with locals and the local culture.

You two done good! The true essence of life is you not what things you got.  Almost 50 years ago I divorced my wife, mother of my son. She was the sort who defined who they were by the things she owned, not the other way around. It was that realization that became the tipping point of the marriage. Neither one of us has changed our beliefs.  You two should be and  are an   inspiration for others contemplating a similar major change in life.  Life is a one way trip, get the most you can out of it.  Get off the express & ride the local.  The view is so much clearer.  Lao Tzu said  "A thousand mile journey begins with a single step.".   Notice, he never said a word about running all the way.   Welcome my friends, welcome.

True, and someone else once said "Watch out!  That first step is a Doozie!"  But after that, it all gets easier, and this site has help guide us down this path.  It's gonna be fun!!!

Hi Lunica,   I am shipping my container of household things from Houston, Tx to Punta Cana in less than 2 months.  My husband and I are using icontainer.com.   We are shipping a 20ft container.  When we started planning our move that is one of the expenses we saved for.  You have to time everything perfectly so that your container will arrive AFTER YOU.  I have heard it can take 2-3 weeks for it to clear customs so plan accordingly. Any questions feel free to reach out. Where are you moving to in the Dominican?  How soon are you all moving?

When launching a  ship,.... they always grease the ways......Take the time to know whom & where the ways re, usually the low cost is a surprise. The fewer the hands the better.  Nothing new here for sure.........

How is this of shipping a free container for residents,

Welcome to the forums.  Once your residency is approved you can ship a container of personal goods including a vehicle without paying all the usual taxes and duties.  It is NOT FREE and there are a bunch of rules and restrictions and time constraints. Consult your lawyer or a Customs specialist. I can recommend someone in Santo Domingo if needed.

Expats, HELP! I've gotten shipping quotes from two different companies, one was $8,900, for less than 1000 lbs, no furniture, nor electronics, just clothes. 9 bends, and 20 boxes of Jordans, beach chairs, crock pot and 2 blenders, door to door from Durham,NC to SPDM. WHATDAHELL? The second company's quote was $4K, same inventory, same itinerary. WTH? I'm thinking of renting a U-HAUL truck and drive 15 hours to Miami. Does that sound like a good plan, Planner, and AO Expats? I want to get the u know what outta Dodge!

What does getting it to Miami save you? You still have more shipping and taxes to get it here. Are you selling the Jordan's in DR? Why ship beach chairs and blenders? Just curious.

Whatdahell, I am curious as to why you are shipping those items as well?  I suggest selling them, and buy what you need or want here.  You can find beds and blenders here easily enough.  Beach chairs are everywhere.  And you won't need 1/4 of the clothes you bring with you.

in 2008, my quotes ranged from $13,000 to $4.500...40ft container w/ car

It varies.

The MIA drive option isn't crazy - and you fly from there after shipping your stuff

Have you received a quote to ship from Miami?  Is there a substantial cost savings by going that route?
We shipped a partial container from Seattle with 3 mattresses that could not be replaced here for what we paid in Seattle and personal belongings which had sentimental value.  Cost was just under 5k.  We are purchasing everything else new.  We felt the Seattle furniture was not conducive to the DR environment.  And the down-sizing was quite freeing.
We also had concerns about paying for items that may not make the journey without sustaining some damage.
Good luck moving your belongings.

Shipping is expensive - period.   Most of what you need can be bought here.  Blenders?  Crock pots? all available here!    Beach chairs? Unless they are ultra special  we kind of have em here.....

AND remember those are just the shipping quotes. Now you need to pay import duty and taxes!  Plus the cost of a broker.

If you are shipping things to sell here,  that will cost you big time. Full duty plus 18% sales tax minimum!

In all fairness, it did take me 3 stops to find a crock pot. Rice cookers are everywhere. But no cook worth their salt needs one of those! And the crock pot knobs are labeled in Spanish. Learning curve.... 😂😂😂

I find the quality inferior...
My major appliances are all shipped in...just my way.

Price is better too - shipping included
Buy on sale at a Big Box - free ship to mudanza

It arrives on your doorstep

Hi Exs. Thanks for dropping the knowledge. Exceptional advise given. I have my residency Visa stamped. That has already been factored in my calculations. I donated my furniture, tvs, electronics and car, so I will repurchase those once I get there (thanks to you guys very insightful threads showing how to do that). The blender and juicer I will secure with my checked baggage. Now, regarding my wants overriding my needs, I will not compromise on my Jordans, I have a very impressive collection, and they are not for sale. Most of the Jordans sold there are a knock off, so I will be ordering them online. My Tommy Bahama Breeze beach chairs and umbrella are a must bring because they are sentimental and symbolic to me. Being a Navy veteran, I would always bring Tommy with me to each country we ported (12).... Now, my total weight is less than 1000 lbs, so the less than full container or the "blue barrel" options are where I am leaning? Plus renting a U-HAUL and trucking my goods to Miami should be a lot more doable. Right?

Can't you just order a crockpot off Amazon or beach chair once your living in DR if you don't find what you want in the DR??

Which brings up another question. Because I have my residency stamp maybe I should look into purchasing a few things in Miami and shipping with my other goods? Does THAT sounds doable?

I hope I somewhat answered that.

Oh, I will put the CP in my checked baggage.

Just do the MIA trip... buy all the small appliances etc you want/need and ship by Montero or other mudanza.

Nothing easier..... if you have a container .. use a freight forwarder.

It sounds like you may be jumping the gun a bit.  Your temporary residency stamp DOES NOT allow you to bring in a container duty free.  Your Residency does.  That happens months after you arrive, and have gone through the process, hopefully with a qualified lawyer.  Then you can bring the container in duty-free.  Otherwise your container sits in storage for months, while you go through the residency process.  Make sure you're doing things in the right order before you commit to anything.

Yes. I'm planning on getting a small U-HAUL truck and drive it Miami? Preliminarily, I haven't run the numbers yet, but it looks like that's the cheapest way to go.

Well cut off my legs and call me shorty! My lights are on, but nobody's home. I knew this seemed a little bit too easy. Guys forgive me for I know not what I'm doing. I totally misunderstood the process. I thought that once you receive your stamp, that triggers the exemption rule?  Planner, do you remember a couple of months back, a couple said that they were able to show their stamp to customs, and they didn't have to pay duty or taxes? You asked the couple how were they able to ship their household goods without Residency approval? Does that sound familiar? I'm trying to find that thread.  So under that impression, I took the ball and ran with it. Now, I will rent a small storage unit in Miami and await the approval of my temporary residency. Thanks guys. I'm sorry for all the confusion.

That's a plan Stan... you're close

You WILL get there...

Using a mudanza obviates all this problem... no tax/duty .. nada.

A container ?? == Problem & paperwork

Mudanza... no...
break it into a few shipments if you want.... easy...

You are so right. But I can't see after hours of research, how I miss the most important first step. I can't blame it on alcohol because I don't drink. I can't blame it on drugs because I quit smoking crack when I was 5 yrs old, or was it when I was 6, hmmm? I'm still looking for the number to 911. Can someone please enlighten me with that information?  Wow! Looks like I'm headed to Miami to put my stuff in storage and fly to Paradise Island from there.
You know what they say, "A problem is not solved until blame has been placed."
MAN GOOOD

You missed nothing... start finding mudanza in MIA

Montero is one..

If you need stuff you have not purchased yet, order on Amazon with free shipping, sign up with CPS and get a Miami maritime address, and have Amazon ship to your maritime DR address. Then it goes over by boat, takes about 10 days. Ship less than $200 US and there are no taxes, just shipping. It's not cheap, but it's not that bad either. Better than buying stuff and driving it to Miami.

Please forgive my ignorance but what is a mudanza?

Not ignorant. 😊 It is someone you hire, and pay to help facilitate getting a shipment through customs. It is a pretty detailed, time consuming process to do on your own. Especially if you don't speak the language.

Thank you Christine.  We do have one of those waiting on this end to help push our property through when it arrives.

How much do they charge?