Moving to Panama: To Ship, or not to Ship, that is the Question.
So you’ve decided to move to Panama… Now what? For many expats, the next step is deciding whether to move their possessions, or sell the majority of items and buy new ones in Panama. International shipping can be an expensive endeavor, so it is important to think hard about what you want to bring with you. Mostly everything, including furniture, kitchen items, tools and other small appliances, are available for purchase in Panama City, but prices and quality vary. Additionally, for some, shopping in a new language and city can seem like a daunting task. When making the decision, take into account where you are going to live in Panama and what you plan to do there. If you are moving into a condo in Panama City your needs and resources may differ from those you will find available in secluded beach house or mountain ranch.
Asking people who are already living in the area of Panama you have chosen if specific goods you will require are readily available can be a big help.
Once you have settled on what items you are going to bring, make a detailed packing list. It is important to include a realistic value for each item, keeping in mind incorrect valuations can lead to additional costs.
We spoke with Virginia Maskell of TradeLink International, a worldwide freight forwarding company based in Ontario, Canada. Although having been in the shipping business for many years, Virginia told us she learned the most about shipping personal items via ocean freight when she herself moved to Panama.
“There are a lot of hands involved in international shipping,” said Virginia, “and having detailed paperwork before your shipment hits the water is imperative to staying on budget.”
Many people think that a smaller shipment will be less expensive than filling an entire container. This is not always the case as Virginia explained; “Yes, you can ship a skid or two or three. It is shipped as LCL – meaning less than container load. Against popular belief, it is not necessarily cheaper or easier than shipping an entire container. In most cases the shipment needs to be crated; adding the cost for the crating and transit can add a good chunk to the overall cost.”
Most used items can enter into Panama duty free, while new items are subject to duty based on their value. Note that you will need to have all items packed by a professional moving company if you wish to insure them on their journey.
Virginia also explained that the world of shipping changes quite rapidly, day-to-day, from one port to another. It is important to get up to date quotes, and make sure you meet the customs requirements of both the departure and arrival ports. Your shipping company should be able to help with all of this, of course for a price.
It is also important to note if the shipment is going port-to-port the owner incurs the added costs and responsibility of getting the items to and from each port. They are also responsible for providing the proper paperwork to clear customs upon departure and delivery. It is important for the shipper to remember that when belongings arrive in Panama, they are required to be in the country in order for the goods to clear customs.
Payment for shipping personal items is always asked for up front, so it is important to do your due diligence and check out the company you plan to work with.
Thinking of shipping personal items into Panama or out of Panama? Virginia is a great resource for information and can help answer your questions.
To learn more about freight forwarding services available to you from Panama call Virginia at (507) 6393-1783
or contact her by email at gincoventures@gmail.com
