shipping household stuff

[carol stevens]

can anyone tell me if it is worth shipping my household stuff from the US. should I bring my truck, how do I ship the stuff?

[Maureen Pilson]

You might want to use the 'search' and read some of the horror stories re importing cars. Of course, every time is different. Bear in mind that car dealerships and garages here do not keep a large (if any) inventory, so unless it is a make that is really common in Central America, each part you need will be imported from the US or Korea etc - figure on waiting at least a month, and up to 4 months, and hope they ordered the right part. I think one of the ningers, Robert Berding, wrote that he had a better and cheaper way of getting parts, not using the auto dealers. He will correct me if I am wrong.

You can buy everything here just about, but most small appliances and tools are made in China, and I think they are Chinese seconds, so you be the judge of the quality. Only you can say how much your things mean to you. Shipping a container or 1/2 container is expensive, and there is import duty unless you are getting a pensionado, as mentioned.

[H Gene Lawrence]

Your residency status is a consideration. If you have applied for Pensionado status, you can get some relief in the import taxes, especially on your vehicle.

[PanamaRon]

In the long run it is cheaper and easier to sell off your US possessions and buy new in Panama unless you have a bunch of high end small appliances.