personale effects to colombia

dwmte says on May 15, 2006, 16:04:

capt bill.............. i've probably had as much experience as anyone moving containers into and out of colombia...except for large manufacturers. i've shipped 20' and 40' out of buena ventura and cartagena both to miami and los angeles. on several occassions, they were only personal effects.

unfortunately, it's been seven years since my last movement, but i really can't imagine anything monumental happening in that time...at least not in favor of the shipper. my experienced advise is 'buyer beware'. you can contact your nearest colombian consulate and they will give you info on what can and cannot be shipped duty free. the problem is they'll never commit that to a written statement, rather just some 'advise' from them.

i don't know if you have colombian family--i do-- and this does make some differences if you've been out to the country a certain amount of time, etc. however, this should not be thought of as favorable to the colombian national...it's not. they get gouged as badly as anyone else.

what happens is you just bend over when your container comes into port and wait for them to take what they want and bill you for what they want to and you pay the bill in the END. there really is no rhyme or reason to the whole thing. it's just the way it works (or doesn't work as the case may be). THEN...when you move your goods out of port forwarding them to medellin, get ready for the next pain in the ass. YOU MUST DEMAND THAT THE GOODS BE MOVED "IN BOND" TO MEDELLIN...that being under lock and key without the driver having a key. he/they will tell you they need a key just in case they're inspected along the way. this is pure bullshit. he has a customs sealed container or closed truck (locked and sealed) and copies of the documents of entrance from the aduana (customs) THAT'S ALL HE NEEDS. PERIOD.

if you have problems with this go to the customs office in cartagena and demand to see the director and demand that the goods be moved "in bond" to their destination. he will support you.

good luck.

d w martin

if i can help you more, e me at dwmte at bellsouth.net

captbill says on May 16, 2006, 05:16:

reply I sent an email to your email address if you happen to check here first. Thanks for the advice. Bill