Shipping To Colombia

rocinante says on Sep 5, 2008, 20:12:

Sending via postal almost anything could get you taxed heavily. NOt to mention the cost of shipping.

The applicances are sub par especially the kitchen stuff. Non stick sautee pans, knives, Rubbermaid containers.... garbage.

Back in the day Avianca let you lug 2 suitcaes of 70lbs each for free, and a few large boxes up to 70 lb box for $100 a box - (that same box would have cost 4-6 times that to ship).

Hoy en día? Suerte!

Ship as little as possible - it's expensive. You have to weigh what is important to you and how much you are willing spend for things and what type of quality you are willing to sacrifice when you are here.

Buy and lug your electronics from home - don't buy them here.

If you are going to spend to ship stuff, spend less money by taking it on the plane and paying the airline. If things are not brand spanking new and in new boxes you won't have to pay taxes bringing them in when you arrive at the airport here.

Also if you are gong to take stuff with you on the plane make sure you pay for a direct flight on a big plane - Avianca JFK to MDE is a 757 - otherwise smaller planes will not be able to take all of your things and the stuff is loaded as "Freight" and may not make your plane. "Freight" a few years ago was the box or suitcase above and beyond the first two checked items. Even though you paid to have that go with you it may get bumped to the next plane.

Please call your airline beforehand and check all this out.

Once in a while someone here is sending a container and cannot fill it. Not all that likely but hey if you could sneak a big box or two on there.... You just got to get it from Cartagena.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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miamimike says on Sep 5, 2008, 23:13:

Here in Miami, if you use a good freight forwarder consilidator, at times, they have other clients looking to share a Partially loaded container and this may work for you. Get on google and start looking as there are many here in Miami who ship to Colombia. Servientrega.com here in Miami(hialeah) is a good company also for small shipments. Good luck

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paisitalinda says on Sep 6, 2008, 04:11:

Thanks . I like the idea of sharing a container, but obviously the problem would be getting it from Cartagena to Medellin!
My husband also suggested buying all our electrinics here because he was shocked when he wnt to buy some in Medellin. Overpriced and Bad quality!!

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johnny2008 says on Sep 6, 2008, 04:35:

Paisitalinda

Your consolidator in USA will have reciprocal agents in Medellin

Expect to pay 95€ for your stevedore services and about $150 for a couple of pallets on the back of a truck to Medellin.

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dwmte7 says on Sep 6, 2008, 06:00:

paisita....well i doubt very few folks have had as much experience in shipping personal belongings to colombia as my wife and i....we've done it three times in containters...both form los angeles, ca. to buena ventura and miami to cartegena. we know that one inside and out. it is complex and painful and costly to say the least.

i would be glad to fill you in on all the gory detail if you're interested. you can e me at: dwmte7 at yahoo.com or pm me here on pbh...same results either way.

good luck. fyi...electro domesticos are the one item they tend to tax unfavorablly. well let me know if i can help.

dwmte

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jorgegdiaz (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 7, 2008, 06:13:

dwmte7 says on Sep 7, 2008, 06:48:

common, jorge, don't be so mean.....is that like saying i've talked my ass off for nada? jeje

dwmte

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jorgegdiaz (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 7, 2008, 16:14:

dwmte7 says on Sep 8, 2008, 05:26:

playin with ya, brother.

in about two years when the little ones h.s. ed is over and she's finally deposited in univ. we do this bummer all over again....i swear, unless colombia declares nuclear war, never fuckin again. this will be the forth time we've moved our container full of crap back and forth. it'l costly, lengthy, a gigantic pain in the ass and heart breaking from the damage and theft.

this time, we're buying our own container and shipping it to the finca for permanent storage. they're dirt cheap, and you have storage/work shop after all's said and done. highly recommended for anyone who lives outta the cities or has a large enough property to put one on within the city.

dwmte

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