Moving to Belize, Part 2:

More useful information

Just in case the last issue's article on life in Belize convinced you to take the leap, here are some additional tips on making your move. (All figures in US$)

The optimal way to bring your personal effects into Belize, if you have a full or nearly-full container load, is to pack the container right at your residence and ship it all the way to Belize City from there. You will find shipping companies that do this by searching the yellow pages.

There are no duties or taxes on personal effects brought with you, provided everything has been used at least one year; this is particularly true in the case of computers and appliances. For ease and speed of processing by Customs, your personal items should be packed, and labelled, completely separately from anything else that may be dutiable, such as new or business related items. It's very helpful to have an itemized list of everything in the container, including the approximate value of large items and appliances. This list doesn't have to be overly specific-for example: Four cartons of clothing; two cartons of household linens; dining table with four chairs; etc. This may prevent having to completely unpack every item of the container here. Some office-type equipment is considered dutiable, even though you only use it at home, such as a fax machine. This could also apply to certain types of machinery and tools. Personal computers, however, are duty-free.

If you purchased the container (cost: $3000 to 5000 depending on its condition) you can have it trucked to your residence in Belize with the seal intact. Local truckers charge $100-200, depending on the distance. The Customs agents will then come there and inspect it as you unload. This costs extra (about $ 25) since they come after their normal working hours. Bear in mind that you'll have to pay duty on the container, too, if you own it! The duty rate is only 5% of the purchase price, but you may be charged tax, as well (currently 15% VAT). If you did not purchase the container, the shipper may require that you unload it at the dock, in which case you'll need to arrange for a truck to transport the loose items to your residence. Your shipper can provide you with all of these details. You can hire plenty of spare muscle, as well as trucking service, at or near Customs House in Belize City.

You can broker your container through Belize Customs yourself, if you like, but it's a little complicated, and unfortunately, many folks at Customs House are not anxious to guide you through the process. If you persist, you can do it, but you'll have to find out which forms you'll need, and then you have to go to Angelus Press to buy them. You must purchase the guide to completing the forms as well as the book of code numbers (both available at Customs) in order to fill out the forms properly.

If you simply go to Customs House and look around the halls for an independent broker, instead of calling one in the yellow pages, you can bargain over the charges, and probably get a rate of $50-100 for the whole process. I would say it's worth the cost to save the frustration, but be sure to bargain, or you'll pay too much! Whether you do it yourself or not, the whole process takes at least an entire day.

What to bring

If you have used televisions and appliances that are in good condition, you are better off to bring them with you. They can be expensive to purchase here, due to high taxes and rates of duty. Also, it may be easier to shop at home for new, speciality items (and pay duty on them here) than to try and find them in Belize. The basic word of advice is, if there's any possibility you'll need something here, bring it. It takes a long time to find out where to buy specific items (if they're available), and your transition will go more smoothly if you've already got it. And, as for all that miscellaneous "stuff" that has filled your closets all these years... if it will fit in the container, after the essentials are in, bring that, too.

Customs agents are generally quite accommodating about personal effects, and you will likely not have to pay any duty on anything that is used. You can check with Customs in advance, if you have any specific questions about dutiable items. Their phone number is: 501-2-77405.

Please note: If you are not a Belizean citizen, in order to clear your personal goods into the country, whether you bring them with you or they arrive later, you must have official documentation from the Dept. of Immigration, stating that you are now a legal resident of Belize. You have to be IN Belize to apply for residency, contrary to most countries' policies. You have six month's time after your arrival, in which to import your personal goods duty free, and you must have been in Belize the entire time.

Did you miss Moving, Part I? Learn how to make the most of life here.

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