abcdef814
3/21/2015 16:17 EST
My thanx again to this group for your sage advice ! We are planning to file docs for Pensionado status in November (thankfully have a reputable lawyer to handle everything). Assuming all is approved and we are cleared to move household items to Panama in 2016, where do we start ? How do we organize the items to move ? Do we pack in cardboard ? Do we select an international moving company first then follow their lead ? Someone said leave kitchen appliances behind - I have wicked food processor and stand mixer - really? leave them behind? Looking for any and all suggestions and lessons.
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Lamastus
3/21/2015 16:23 EST
I tried to cut down on my things and wished I hadnt. Something's are more expensive here and something's they don't have. I would bring things that I use a lot and make my life comfortable
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panamajames
3/21/2015 16:24 EST
Bring it all. You will miss most things you leave behind. International movers know best. Follow their lead......Have fun
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ranadelnorte
3/21/2015 16:58 EST
Congratulations on your forthcoming move to Panama! I hope you are very happy here.
You ask a really broad question. What you move depends a lot on where you plan to settle and whether you're looking for furnished or unfurnished accomodation. Whatever your situation, now is a good time to declutter and to evaluate whether the objects in your life are suited to a tropical climate. No problem in bringing small electrics - you'll be happy to have them. Also suggest a floor steamer for the extensive tiling here - floors, floor-to-ceiling tile in bathrooms and kitchen. They have wonderful built-in cupboards and walk-in closets in PTY apartments, therefore you can cut down on bringing heavy chests and dressers. However, it would be good to bring closet and cupboard organizers.
Yes, consult an international mover. They have a wealth of experience to share. Be aware that items that aren't professionally packed can't be insured. We packed about 30% of the boxes ourselves. It is wise to use standard box sizes for easy loading into your container.
Because you have a lot of lead time, suggest you transfer as many of your personal paper files, photographs and memorabilia to CDs or DVDs to preserve them and to save space in your container.
I could write a book, but for now wish you good luck!
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tombseekers
3/21/2015 17:21 EST
All of your boxes should be numbered with contents listed on the outside. Keep a master list for the shipper (and your sanity) We used cardboard, wooden crates, and Tupperware bins. We got rid of a lot of stuff and I wish we kept it. Quality stuff is difficult to find so keep your electrical appliances. If you are worried about room, the difference in cost between a 20' and 40' is negligible. Depending on the size of your new home here, your US furniture may not fit. Bring lamps. If you have a hobby, bring supplies for that as you probably won't find things you need here. If you find that you brought things you don't want/need, the prices you can sell them for here is high compared to garage sales in the States.
Check many shippers. Our quotes ran from $5K to $11K, a huge difference. I regretted bringing nothing and wished I brought more.
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BoqueteGirl
3/21/2015 18:06 EST
Welcome
Where are you coming from? U.S. or Canada? You have plenty of time to research your moving company. I highly recommend Intermove out of the U.S. East coast. Anita was extremely knowledgeable about Panamas requirements. We shipped a 40 ft container and glad we did. Everyone here is right,,,,,BRING EVERYTHING. Don't forget even your garden tools. We have been here 4 years and I sold my weed eater before coming down. I had hit for 8 years. Was still running great. I have been through 4 here in 4 years. YUK
Your good tools as well. What I did was start a list of about 5 movers and called all of them to discuss what they knew about moving a container to Panama. I also recommend you use a company that goes "Door to Door." Very important.
Also, make sure your container does not get here during any Panamanian Holidays. (Very Important) Can end up costing storage at the port. Hope this helps just a little. If you need Intermoves info. I can cut and paste it for you.
Good Luck....
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llseldon
3/21/2015 18:33 EST
I say pack for 6 months to decide if you to live in Panama, then IF you decide to stay then you will know WHAT you need to take to Panama. IF you decide Panama is NOT for you, you've lost nothing. PL
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panamajames
3/21/2015 19:58 EST
Many people move to Panama and do not last many years. Some realize that they have discovered a great inner freedom and can sell all your Gringo stuff and get top dollar for it here, then maybe sell it and move on to Ecuador or Colombia or whatever country you fancy. The first move away from home is the biggest one. The rest are easy. Be brave. Jump. The water is fine'...
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tharin4prez
3/21/2015 21:21 EST
If you can afford to move everything .. Do it! Many items here cost more than North America for like items. Especially power tools!
Power has a tendency to flux a bit, and American type appliances with computer brains tend not to do well in fluctuating currents.
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Jazzmann
3/21/2015 21:25 EST
What to bring is a matter of personal choice. My wife and I came with six suitcases. We have a several more in storage with family in the US which will return with us on the first visit up north (mostly keepsakes and art). We purchase everything we need here in Panama. It works for us; I surely understand that it may not work for others.
Even here in Las Tablas we find everything we need and much of what we want. It's a 25 min. drive to Chitré. PC is a $6.00 (Jubilado) bus ride away. (and overnight stay). We are happy not to be chained to a shipping container, and amazed at what we could live without - we wouldn't have believed it when we first contemplated the move.
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Panama2017
3/21/2015 22:14 EST
We started over and bought everything new in Panama. Giving away most everything to our kids and charity. Love our new stuff as much as our old stuff. But truthfully, I suppose we are just not that into stuff. Starting over added to the sense of adventure and freedom. Not for everyone but perfect for us.
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llseldon
3/22/2015 12:59 EST
I said it before, I'll say it again, pack for 6 months, don't sell the house yet until you are sure you want to live in Panama. PL
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lastresort
3/23/2015 08:09 EST
BoqueteGirl,
Do you know if the prices that the movers quote you include packing your shipment, or is that supposed to be an extra charge? Thanks!
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BoqueteGirl
3/23/2015 08:18 EST
Yes, it did.
But I made sure I had ALL my special stuff packed. (Crystal, china, special glassware, Nick-Nacks, etc.) They came in with a team and had the house empty in about 4 hours. We started buying totes when they were on sale and put most things in plastic Rubbermaid totes. We were amazed at the spead.
Be sure to ask any shipping company that you are using if they pack the major stuff. We have been here 4 years and things could have changed in that time. Let me know if I can help. Good Luck.....
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Jazzmann
3/23/2015 09:36 EST
That was our experience, but we know it is not for everyone. Starting over in a new country is a deeply personal and challenging experience. We found travelling light worked for us. Others, I am sure, will take comfort in familiar things in their new homes.
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ranadelnorte
3/23/2015 09:46 EST
I shipped a 20-foot container in 2014 from Canada. The mover's price quote included everything I wanted them to pack. If you'll be packing the less fragile items yourself, tell them, as this will decrease the price a bit. Discuss the size boxes you should use for the items you pack yourself so that it is easy for them to load the container with all standard size boxes. Consider whether some of your possessions will require special crating, which costs extra. The mover will have the experience to advise you. It is important that the price quotes are "door-to-door." You don't want to do customs clearance in Panama yourself, or arrange trucking to your final destination. This means that your mover will have a corresponding moving company in Panama. Do your due diligence on both companies to be sure to get the best value for your money.
Good luck!
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lastresort
3/23/2015 10:37 EST
Thanks for the excellent information BoqueteGirl, Jazzman and ranadelnorthe. Y'all are the best.
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llseldon
3/23/2015 14:34 EST
Local organizations will help, also the Balboa Elks on La Boca road, the bar is in the back & visitors are always welcome whether you are an Elk or not (the following is from my text of info on Panama):
Some Panama organizations:
U.S. Navy League: PTY Navy League: http://navyleaguepanama.org/
American Society of Panama: http://www.amsoc.org/
Balboa Elks Lodge, La Boca Road: http://www.elks.org/lodges/contactus.cfm?LodgeNumber=1414
Canadian ExPats in Panama: http://www.internations.org/expats/members/panama/canadians
InterNations: See https://www.internations.org/
ExPats in Panama: http://www.expatsocials.com/
Panama Historical Society (Nowebsite), email: panamahistorical@gmail.com
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panamajames
3/23/2015 17:53 EST
If you don't like Panama, then sell all your stuff here and you will get much better prices for it from the Gringos here who feel that there is a vast shortage of stuff, and Gringos love their stuff. The Panamanians will love your stuff here as well. Good quality usually compared to what they can buy here. Then try renting in Cuenca Ecuador who also use the US dollar, and then there is Medellin Colombia, the city of eternal spring...........so many other places that you can move to. Very few expats who move here, stay more than 5 years. Some die here, some go back for better hospital care if they are really ill, but most move on. I met so many people on my tour of South America that began their expat retirement in Panama. Try not to think of it as your last stop. There is a whole new exciting world out there for you these days..........
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Panama2017
3/23/2015 18:29 EST
I agree with PJ. Friends ask "how can you decide to move to Panama for the rest of your life". And we always tell them that it's NOT a life sentence.
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XSMEMORIES
3/24/2015 17:40 EST
If you have the language, near the old Novey, you can make a deal. Other than that if you have a Panama drivers license, you can rent a U-Haul and do it yourself. Do you have a place to move it too? This is not the real world where there are storage units everywhere. Sheila
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cheryl4209
3/25/2015 11:10 EST
Yes, organize items to move and then get estimates. I used:
Mary Clare Mooney
Suddath International
860-206-3366 - Direct
904-521-4532 - Cell
DO NOT fall into the PBO (packed by owner) trap....immigration officials take PBO as a red flag to go through every box. You will have 6 months after your visa is approved to import stuff duty free. Do downsize. Really, everything you need is available in Panama. Run the numbers to justify the cost of what you want to move. Take an informational trip to Panama to check out malls, availability of what you like and need, then decide.
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