1kaloa
2/20/2015 11:45 EST
Hi my first post, my husband and I are looking to relocate to a central american country. With our 8 year old.
We have a small business in the US doing personalised sublimation gifts (think coffee mugs with pictures of grandchildren or photo plaques ect) We are planning to expand this to ebay and etsy pre move.
Our concern is shipping back to the US, most packages are in the 5 to 10lb range. It could be 10 to 100 packages a day.
So questions are
1. Is it possible to ship out such things regularly (we are looking at Matagalpa, currently)
2. Costs?
3. Customs? No idea how this works
4. Shipping time back to various US shipping zones.
5. Any possibilities of selling such items, perhaps in local tourism areas? 'Vacation Nicaragua' keepsake type stuff?
6. Are we crazy?
7. If it won't work from Nica, other suggestions?
And thank you
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atz111
2/20/2015 13:38 EST
Puts some tough obstacles in the way of fulfillment. For one...need to airfreight to get to customers in a reasonable amount of time...cost is an obstacle.
I am sure you can find a way to get shipped...but not sure it is something you want/need to hassle with on a startup.
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iguanalover
2/20/2015 14:36 EST
I mail packages to my grandchildren all the time, far west, and it takes two to four weeks. I don't know why the difference. Things you should know:
1. all packages are searched at the PO. You take it in before it is sealed and the official PO lady goes thru it. She is very nice to me, she likes grandmothers, but I have seen her hassle other people. I also take my own tape and small bills so I can pay the exact price without any change. She doesn't do change. What I send are clearly gifts for children and locally made.
PO has wrapping rules.
2. gifts are one thing, but amounts over what they consider gifts can be subject to export hassles. I saw a young gentleman trying to send three hammocks out at one time, separate packages, and he really got hassled. There is only one PO in town, so you can't cheat.
3. postage is very low. I can send a very heavy box for very little.
4. I have been warned that any packages that look commercial get special attention either coming or going.
There are special mailing services to bring things into the country but I don't know about going the other way. The PO is very efficient, I have never lost anything.
I know you need an import/export license to take or send things out of the country for commercial purposes. You will need one to get your raw materials thru customs. You have to have a cedula to get a license. The guys in customs are really street smart and they want their money. Rumor is that they get a commission.
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1kaloa
2/20/2015 17:42 EST
I didn't expect it to be easy, however I do need to know it can be done. And that the costs are within reason for our idea to work. Of course customer satisfaction is paramount, so not sure if this will work.
Is anyone aware of other Central American countries where this idea would more likely work? We are looking at Nica and Guatemala. story seems about the same.
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iguanalover
2/20/2015 20:45 EST
We had a friend who got busted a couple of years ago. He got his license and all went well. He is still in business and exports to several countries. He buys his raw materials locally and has helped create a new industry which employs dozens of Nicas in a very poor area.
We have another friend who is getting started. He tried to import materials without a license and is having a very difficult time with aduana. He is in the process of getting his license and cedula. He is going to have to pay quite a bit more money to get his materials out of aduana. They are arguing over the resale value of his materials. He gave them the wholesale value but aduana looked it up on the internet and they want the point of sale value. There is quite a difference.
It can be done but do your homework first and get the papers.
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Michaelalexanderart
2/20/2015 20:50 EST
Hi, I'm an artist in Florida. I sell to a lot of stores and galleries here and around the country. My wife and I and our 3 kids are thinking of moving to San Juan Del Sur. If we make the move I'll be opening a gallery and gift shop there. I'll still be sending paintings to galleries back here but have you thought of doing a shop there somewhere? I've had a lot of my art done on all sorts of sublimated items that could probably sell on souvenirs in a touristy place. Check out my art on my Facebook fan page at Michael Alexander Fine Art if you want. Who knows, maybe we could work together down there and sell enough to tourists you wouldn't have to rely on shipping.
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10abuse
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lonnie22653
2/21/2015 11:11 EST
I suggest you join FB expats of Nicaragua, expats of Granada and expats of esteli, matagalpa, jinotega and expats of san juan del sur. These are 4 separate groups. Finds some contacts for other with a similar business model. For sure there are others shipping product out of Nicaragua. I do know you will need a cedula in order to have a business. Good luck!
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iguanalover
2/21/2015 15:12 EST
I think that Mr. Alexander might have a good idea about selling locally. Nicas are crazy about their kids and spend mucho dinero on pictures of them, especially their first year. Most have only cell phone pics. Mother's Day is a huge holiday (the banks close!). I think that could turn into an opportunity for someone who wanted to tap into that market. Good luck.
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1kaloa
2/21/2015 15:54 EST
Yes we are wondering if this isn't a better way to look at the situation too. Thank you :)
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1kaloa
2/21/2015 15:57 EST
Great information, wondering if we could do a booth somewhere for these sorts of events. And sell directly to folks who already have shops to sell to tourists. We have other plans for our time, don't really want to spend it all running a shop.
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