By Peter Bomberg (BonaireTalker - Post #29) on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 9:34 pm: |
I need to have help with unloading a container on the 13th of Dec and maybe the 14th depending on how it goes, it's furniture and boxes (20ft container) and ideally I would need the guys or company to have a small truck so we can load it (we will have a pickup as a backup).
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1095) on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 10:19 pm: |
If it's your own container (not shared), you have it brought to your house. Then you have an appointment for a customs officer to be there when it's opened (you may NOT open it before or by yourself-only the officer may break the seal). You unload it while the officer watches, and he/she checks things off your customs paperwork (Rocargo will arrange your papers). All of this must be done during regular business hours (M-F, 8-12/2-4). It's in your best interest to do this quickly, as the clock is ticking on both the officer, and the chasis (the thing that hauls the container). All of the import duties and shipping fees must be paid up front, before the container's released. Import duties on furniture are very high (around 40%), so you might want to check ahead of time with Rocargo--everything that goes in the container must have an invoice; you pay duties on top of the invoice value plus ocean freight. Also be flexible with your timing-many things can delay containers, such as strikes in Curacao, or not enough chasis (here or in CUR), or the very high volume of shipping that happens in Dec., etc.
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By Barton B (BonaireTalker - Post #97) on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 10:32 pm: |
Have you discussed your need with Patricia at Rocargo? They will (for a fee) provide men and trucks to move your belongings, or have your cargo container delivered (via Don Andres)to your house/condo and unload it.
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By Barton B (BonaireTalker - Post #98) on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 11:01 pm: |
Ruth provided a very accurate and detailed summary of what to expect. Patricia at Rocargo was very helpful in arranging and organizing the logistics for our move/unloading.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1096) on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 11:45 pm: |
From what Peter's posted so far, it sounds like he will not have his residency permit in place when he's shipping his home furnishings, and/or he's buying new items (he's going to retire here in 10 years, so this might not qualify as his one time household import...though I'm not sure what he's arranged so far), so he will be paying full duties on furniture, which I think are about 28% to 37.5% plus 5% sales tax (ob).
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By Peter Bomberg (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Sunday, July 26, 2009 - 12:08 am: |
Thanks Ruth and Barton, I wish I had posted this before booking the flights, as we arrive on Sat and looks like we will be in the same boat as you. Based on the comments I need to check about having the container arrive a bit early and pay the 800 for a week I suspect (we don't have much flexibility on the dates sadly)
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By Barton B (BonaireTalker - Post #99) on Sunday, July 26, 2009 - 12:58 am: |
re customs officer: yes, expect the officer to be present during the entire unloading, and do not be surprised if they want to open a box to inspect the contents. A complete and detailed contents list of the contents of each box is the best way to keep the unloading process on track.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1097) on Sunday, July 26, 2009 - 11:07 am: |
If I were starting over, I'd probably take a good look in Bonaire, as well as Curacao (because I can). I'd compare it to online choices, where I'd focus on places like Overstock.com because of their low shipping prices, or Lowes/Home Depot because they're local to Amcar. I doubt I'd need an entire 20' container, unless I were shipping many rooms, all appliances, kitchen cabinets, etc. One living room, dining room & bedroom do not take up 20'. Then I'd have my purchases sent to Amcar, where I'd ask them to "hold for consignment" until all had arrived. When everything was there, I'd ask them to ship to Bonaire. Amcar sails every Thursday, deadline is 4pm Monday before. When I have cargo sail, I hope to see it 11 days later, more during holiday time. Most of the delays happen in Curacao, where they always take care of their own containers first. It's simply unavoidable. On Bonaire, I'd let Rocargo handle all of the paperwork & clearance. When you share space in one of Amcar's containers, Rocargo unloads your cargo at their warehouse. Then, for about $100, I'd hire Rocargo to deliver my purchases to my house.
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By Peter Bomberg (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 1:53 pm: |
Thanks everyone for your great help and feedback, I have (or am in the process of) changing the shipping arrangements to give us a much higher chance of making it work (watch there be snow in Miami and make a mess of my plans ;)
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By Bas Noij (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #468) on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 6:58 pm: |
I second the advise to let Rocargo take care of it. They can arrange guys to do the work and I'd trust that more than letting a few random people into your new house. Rocargo also handles the customs issues etc. Pay them a visit and it will all work out.
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By Peter Bomberg (BonaireTalker - Post #33) on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 8:37 pm: |
Thanks guys I am chatting with Patricia as we speak (or type I guess) also what is the theft like in Bonaire (stuff in a vacant Condo versus stuff in a warehouse?)
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1099) on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 11:15 pm: |
I've never had anything go missing from Rocargo's warehouse (almost 20 years of shipping with them every 6 weeks).
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By Peter Bomberg (BonaireTalker - Post #34) on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 11:48 pm: |
Thanks Ruth, I just had somebody comment on shipping but wanted to ask the experts
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1100) on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 9:45 am: |
Thanks Peter...I wouldn't say "expert" except maybe 'expert by default'. Even I learn eventually!
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By Peter Bomberg (BonaireTalker - Post #35) on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 1:37 pm: |
Hmm, I happen not to be a beer person can we compromise on steaming hot coffee And I can always get beer ;)
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1101) on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 3:53 pm: |
Dude, beer is never negotiable in the caribbean! :-)
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By Debbie B. ~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10036) on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 4:10 pm: |
Ruth, ya got that right!
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By Peter Bomberg (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 12:00 am: |
Oh my, I better start packing (hmm the good news is my wife likes beer (and wine))
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By Angie Ohlson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #177) on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 9:31 am: |
Peter, I myself am not a beer drinker - however after my first "Bright" I was hooked and will drink no other beer but the elusive "Bright" They are just not available in the US. I have tried. So its just another reason to keep going back to Bonaire.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1102) on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 1:06 pm: |
No.
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By Peter Bomberg (BonaireTalker - Post #37) on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 1:20 pm: |
Ok I am buying you a beer then
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By Kevin W. Williams (Bella Vista Estates) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #647) on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 2:00 pm: |
As for the residency permit timing, you can bond the shipment. Basically, you pay the cost of the duty as a refundable bond, and they refund the bond if you qualify for the residency exemption within 6 months. That's how I did it when I moved here. You need to talk to Customs about it in advance, though.
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