Overseas Shipping Large Parcel

[Tom Hildebrandt]

I am looking for advice on shipping a large parcel, (approximate 250 lbs, 8 feet by 4 feet x 3 feet) from Miami to either Puerto Rico or other location as far south as St Lucia in the Carribean in the December/January timeframe.

Anyone have any experience and who can offer some help regarding hows, wheres, who, costs, etc would be greatly appreciated.

I have shipped lots of small bits by special couriers but have no experience with this large an item.

Also, if I have put this thread in the wrong forum, please suggest a more appropriate one!

Regards

Tom

[GordMay]

Try Caribbean or Tropical:

Caribbean Shipping Inc.
➥ Third Party Logistics (3PL) Solutions - Shipping In Puerto Rico
750 3rd Street, Suite 3, Neptune Beach (Jacksonville), FL 32266
Phone: 904.247.0031
Fax: 904.247.0103
Rates to P.R. ➥ Caribbean Shipping and Cold Storage

Tropical Shipping
➥ Tropical Shipping - The Leader in Shipping to the Bahamas and the Caribbean
1489 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Riviera Beach (West Palm), FL 33404
Phone: 561.881.3999
Fax: 561.841.3265
Email: WPBLCL@tropical.com
or
9505 NW 108th Ave., Medley (Miami), FL 33178
Phone: 305.805.7400
Fax: 305.805.7661


***

This “Shipping Packages & Mail” thread seems to have languished, but perhaps it could be revived.
➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...mail-2237.html

cruisersforum.com/forums/f57/shipping-packages-and-mail-2237.html

[Zanshin]

I've used Tropical before (Florida-BVI´) and they did a good job.

[Canibul]

We've used Tropical several times, shipping a Ford Expedition, household goods, and three boats ( so far) on trailers from Florida to the TCI. Piece of cake.

[Noname1]

If you are building a wooden crate be CERTAIN you have read the regs on wood products. Engineered wood products generally OK but dimensional lumber for framing, skid, pallet, etc MUST be stamped on every price treated for international shipping. Don't ask how I know.....

[Reality Check]

I've shipped via Tropical into St. Thomas twice with great results. In St. Thomas you can come into the Crown Bay Marina and the pick up point is near by if your going to load it on the boat. Hope the actual object isn't that large if it goes on a boat!

If it is a group of items, it may be far cheaper to ship using smaller boxes as they are simpler to handle. You can also consolidate shipments to arrive at the same time.

I would call them and discuss the options and container requirements.

[Hud3]

We've used Tropical in the Caribbean, and they did a good job. Definitely the cheapest way to ship. Send an email to the address that Gord posted, and tell them what you want to do. They'll guide you through the process.

Here's a copy of their shipping guidelines for Less than Container Load (LCL) shipments.

[Tom Hildebrandt]

Thanks to all for the ideas and contacts, keep the ideas coming.

I would like to consolidate two shipments in Florida, exactly where in Florida is not the issue. One is bulky but not too heavy for its size, it sets the size constraints. The other is paint, and while not defined as a hazardous cargo as it is essentially a latx product, it is heavy for its size. The paint could easily be accomodated in the larger parcel.

The real issue for me is my boat is in Venezuala and I have committments in the south Carib until early February, one of the decisions is as always a compromise between options, costs for delivery to where I am or save money by putting the boat where delivery costs are less.

It would appear the carrier of choice is Tropical; do any of you have specific recommendations on do's and dont's about dealing with this agent or any other agent for that matter?

Tom

[skipmac]

Did not look at the shippers websites so not sure if this was addressed. BUT just in case, make sure you have invoices and documentation on the contents, value, etc. You will be asked for paperwork and charged duty to import the items.

[stevensc]

If you can get some feedback from the reciever of the package as to what company gives the best service at that final destination that would help. The service that companies give varies from place to place. A company that works well in Miami or DR may be terrible in Venezuela.
Good luck
Steve

[Reality Check]

It is unlikely you will be able to package paint with any other items. While it may not be considered a Haz it is a totally different DOT shipping classification which generally extends to sea shipments.

You do need to contact the shipper directly. They will not just accept a box of unknown or mixed materials. Think you are going to create problems attempting to mix.

[Canibul]

Uh, you mentioned shipping to either Puerto Rico or St. Lucia, etc.

I don't know if you have thought of this, but if you ship from Florida to Puerto Rico you won't have to deal with customs and import duties. Thats still in the USA.

[Hud3]

If it's for the boat, in most countries you can get a "yacht in transit" exemption from at least some of the customs fees. Just be careful to learn the procedures and follow them exactly, because the customs guys are usually real sticklers.