Packing For The Move.

[scott h]

I don't remember exactly. But we came on BB Visas and shipped a container. I know it was customs inspected in the states (which we paid an inspection fee for) and there was a customs inspection here in the Philippines (which we paid for). We were tax exempt because as was mentioned before we put all the stuff in my wife's name. So we did not pay "taxes" per say, but we did pay for portage and fuel and all that junk. Silly I know, you pay taxes for government services then have to pay for those services.

 

Here is the 500 pound gorilla in the room though. If for some reason a person is charged a fee and they contest it (Hey! I am on a BB or 13A visa, I am exempt!! I am not going to pay!!). You can bet your bottom peso that a person is going to be charged dock storage fee while the dispute is figured out. Sometimes, just sometimes its better to go with the flow and not fight the system.

 

Just food for thought :cheersty:

[intrepid]

It's getting closer for moving.  We finished packing the last boxes this Monday.  They all had been loaded in a borrowed 14' enclosed trailer.  Today we made the 90 minute drive to the shipper.  They unloaded the trailer in less than 20 minutes which took me all day to pack.  My shipment ended up being 422 cubic feet or the equivalent of about 70 BB boxes.  The weight was just about 5000 pounds!  All "stuff" and no furniture.  The service I paid covered crating and taking to the port, shipping to Manila, customs broker,  and delivery inside our home in Sta Rosa Laguna.  The fee I paid was $4,000. usd and was told the only thing left to pay should be some Manila port fees of a few thousand pesos,  ha ha ha!  I'll believe that when I see the bill!

Flight leaves Dullas Thursday April 28th 8PM 

[intrepid]

UPDATE.

We arrived in the Philippines 30th April this 2016.  Following the procedures of our shipper and receiver here in the Philippines, we got the required documents together for applying to the DOF for the tax/duty exemption.  Documents included, my passport with the 13A visa, TIN(tax id number) issued here in the Philippines, marriage contract, ACR-I card, and letter requesting the tax/duty exemption.  After getting it all together and waiting I finally got the news today.  For those not following, I had paid the shipper in the US almost $4000.00 and ended up being a 20' container
 
Dear Mr. Intrepid,
 
Here are the charges that you will pay as per agent excluded from the door to door quote.
 
Shipping line charges                      - PhP11,337.70
Storage charges from June
19-23                                                     -           2,695.00
Demurrage charges from
June 18-23                                          -          4,300.00
                                                                ------------------
                                                                 PhP18,332.70
                                                                vvvvvvvvvvvvvv
 
We will clear shipment tomorrow night and should be there
in Laguna on morning of June 24.
 Thanks,
 Helen R. Pangilinan

I did also get an email yesterday from them saying the customs examiner was asking "why I have so many tools?"  I didn't think it was so many Although about half of the 70 boxes were tools, there are still more I wish I would have shipped.  The problem was I wasn't sure I would have the storage space until we get our home built.  From what I can tell so far, no boxes were opened including the container itself! I'll follow-up sometime after Friday with a final statement after seeing the condition of the boxes.

[sonjack2847]

On 2/29/2016 at 10:32 AM, scott h said:

I don't remember exactly. But we came on BB Visas and shipped a container. I know it was customs inspected in the states (which we paid an inspection fee for) and there was a customs inspection here in the Philippines (which we paid for). We were tax exempt because as was mentioned before we put all the stuff in my wife's name. So we did not pay "taxes" per say, but we did pay for portage and fuel and all that junk. Silly I know, you pay taxes for government services then have to pay for those services.

 

Here is the 500 pound gorilla in the room though. If for some reason a person is charged a fee and they contest it (Hey! I am on a BB or 13A visa, I am exempt!! I am not going to pay!!). You can bet your bottom peso that a person is going to be charged dock storage fee while the dispute is figured out. Sometimes, just sometimes its better to go with the flow and not fight the system.

 

Just food for thought

I know a Dutch Australian who contested the import fees for his MCs so the customs looked deeper into the container and found a boat engine and other things so instead of paying 50,000 he had to pay 100,000. Sometimes it is best just to go with the flow they will charge you a fee one way or another.

[Jollygoodfellow]

20 hours ago, intrepid said:

Here are the charges that you will pay as per agent excluded from the door to door quote.

I thought the idea of getting a quote is to be given the exact price and sticking to it.

[intrepid]

2 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

as per agent excluded

Jgf,

This has been a learning experience for me too.  I've had so many friends in the past talking about taking the path I did which includes getting the 13A visa in advance to moving and making a large shipment and acquiring the tax/duty free exemption from DOF.  All have been talk and I never was able to speak to anyone who actually followed through.  Just too easy to wait and use the BB privilege.  That's why I shared all this.  But I'm not always that good of a writer.  In this case I neglected to share that when getting my quote from the shipper in the US, he did advise me there would be additional charges I would incur once my shipment would arrive in Manila. Such as port fees, unloading fees, storage fees, and maybe even customs fees.  They could not include them in the shipping quote because every port and shipping line has fees that are fluid and can also depend on the length of time waiting to unload and customs.  I did push him to give me a "ball park estimate" of what the additional fees would be.  He said $350- $500 but in rare cases could be a few thousand.  But with all their personal HHG shipments to Manila which seemed to be several monthly, he said he never remembered a fees to be over $500 and said again he thought mine would be closer to the $350 mark.   That's why the receiver stated, "as per agent excluded".  I felt he was being fair and now I feel sure the receiver here in Manila is being fair.  We are excited to see the container and boxes in the morning.  Got the rooms emptied out and ready.

[Dave Hounddriver]

58 minutes ago, intrepid said:

I'm not always that good of a writer. . . .  They could not include them in the shipping quote because every port and shipping line has fees that are fluid

Au contraire.  I love the colorful way you describe how the 'fees' are different for each individual.

If you went to their office wearing a Rolex and gold jewelry do you think the fees would more?  or less? 'fluid' 

[Jake]

7 hours ago, intrepid said:

.......That's why I shared all this.  But I'm not always that good of a writer.  In this case I neglected to share that when getting my quote from the shipper in the US, he did advise me there would be additional charges I would incur once my shipment would arrive in Manila. Such as port fees, unloading fees, storage fees, and maybe even customs fees.  They could not include them in the shipping quote because every port and shipping line has fees that are fluid and can also depend on the length of time waiting to unload and customs.  

 

I felt he was being fair and now I feel sure the receiver here in Manila is being fair.  We are excited to see the container and boxes in the morning.  Got the rooms emptied out and ready.

On the contrary Officer Danny, we really appreciate your field report as you finally head for home plate.  If I remember correctly, Judy and I paid several hundred pesos, plus my watch as we waited patiently for the release of our household effects at Manila (1992).  

Good luck finding storage for your tools and keeping them under lock and key.  Perhaps taking photos of your personal property in case they grow some legs?

[mogo51]

I found it informative, as I will be going up that road next year myself.  We will not have as many boxes, plus coming from Thailand, should be far less I would expect.

[Old55]

Good information, I'm curious to know details once done. Good luck!