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Moving is never fun, but when we make a move half way around the world there are lots of considerations that must be made!
Many of those who wish to move to the Philippines are already retired, or approaching retirement age. Anybody who has made it to that stage of life surely has accumulated a lot of “things” along the way! So, the question comes to mind… how do you move all of that stuff?
Do you move it all, or do you just take the select items? If so, how do you know which items you will need?
There are not any trucks that drive over water, so how do you get the stuff to the Philippines? The expense must be huge!
Today’s podcast spells it all out. What did I do when we made the move? How much did it cost? How can you possibly choose which items you will want and need? Give the podcast a listen and maybe you will pick up some pointers!
Shipping to the Philippines
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Thanks again for listening, everybody!
Good morning Bob. Just a few things to add to your pod cast. I sent a 40′ high top container, door to door, from Michigan to Dipolog City. That is the largest container on the ocean. (I had alot of stuff). The price was $8,500.00 TOTAL. They will not ship a international container from Manila to the other Islands so it had to be unloaded in Manila into two 20″ and one 16″ containers. We flew to Manila to supervise the unloading and loading. Nothing broken nothing stolen. Here is some info that many do not know. If you are… Read more »
Budrick,
So does that mean I cant bring my generator, powerwasher, lawnmower, weedwacker, chainsaw, ATV, and a few other things with me, because they have engines. Even if they are completely drained.
I shipped over some stuff with motors like a power washer, a weed eater and such… I had no problems. One thing you will find in the Philippines is that these problems usually are on a case by case basis and you just never know for sure when they will pop up.
Bill; The problem with such things comes later when they break down and you can not find parts for them. Also labor is cheap that most likely you will not be mowing your lawn yourself or doing any physical works. You can easily hire people to do the job. It is better to teach the locals things and they will appreciate learning new skills so they can find a better job abroad. Any power tools and machinery can be bought in Chinatown shops where the price is cheapest since that is where every equipment originated. Avoid bringing any electrical appliances… Read more »
John wrote “Avoid bringing any electrical appliances and equipment from the US A since our voltage in the States is 110 volts and they use 220V here. ‘
Yes. !
After years of carefully babying my expensive Braun shaver charging it on a transformer, on day I was hasty and just normally plugged it into the local power.
End of expensive shaver!
About 12 years and 12 locally purchased shavers down the road, it’s simple, don’t expect one for 20 years, buy a new one annually at best.
Hi Bob, Glad someone else finally asked you this question . When the time comes, we will most definitely send a container there, possibly 2. My question is you have any idea of how to find good trustworthy companies that are familiar with doing such moves, to there. About the only places I seem to find are Manila Forewarder , and Manila Forewarders, which are both owned by the same family, brother and sister, one on each coast here in US. I know you have had a problem with Manila Forewarder before, and I have had a problem with Manila… Read more »
One other think Bob, I will be moving there on a SRRV, does that pose any problems pertaining to taxes or anything else, or restrictions.
No, Bill, the SRRV Visa will allow you the exact same tax breaks as a 13A or Balikbayan Visa offers too, so there should be no problem.
Hi Bill – I called United Van Lines, and they sent somebody from their International Moving Department to my house. They handled the shipment door to door, not a single problem. I would just choose a name that has been in the moving business for a long time, those are the people you can put your trust in. I have had experiences with both Manila Forwarder and Manila Forwarders that were not handled well, and I would personally never use them again. My experience also involved Balikbayan Boxes. Like you said, if they can’t handle a simple Balikbayan Box, how… Read more »
We used United Van lines ourselves, were very, very happy. Just be aware that IF your container is chosen for inspection by US customs upon loading, you will be liable for the costs. United did not inform us of the possibility and it came as a complete surprise to us.
Hi Scott- good tip. When we moved here there were no such inspections, so it was not a worry.
I feel better about the 4 macho box’s I filled with tools after that pod cast! I am a tool guy and am tired of being taken when its time to repair the motorcabs.
Hi Terry – Thanks! Glad that I was able to make you feel better about the tools! Good tools are not easy to get here, nor are they cheap!
Hi Budrick – What you did is similar to what I did. We shipped a 40′ Container — AND a 20′ container as well. We arranged it so that the container never went to Manila, but went from Singapore to General Santos City, to avoid Manila altogether. It was not easy to arrange that, but I was able to do so. Thanks for sharing your experience, Bud.
Sounds all well and good, but I prefer selling all of my stuff here abd ship the little stuff via LBC and all NEW stuff there, will be cheaper!
Buy all new stuff there
Hi Heinz – I would love it if what you suggest is possible. Some stuff you just cannot get here. That is why every expat you talk to always talks about how to get this or that from “back home” (wherever that may be). Some things – like in your case – if there were some special cooking tools that you use and like, it is nearly impossible to get some of those things here. One other thing.. it is not always “cheaper” to sell and rebuy here. Some stuff here costs like ten times what you would pay in… Read more »
Did not think about that Bob, thanks for the advise!
Btw, we have very high winds and power outages here right now in Vancouver, no rain though!
Stay safe, Heinz Schirmaier.