MaryBon
1/29/2017 15:40 EST
My search didn't uncover this subject; apologies in advance if it's been covered ad naseum. I would like to bring a few belongings with me, including an art collection. Any anecdotes regarding interactions with customs would be appreciated.
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atz111
1/29/2017 16:56 EST
If you have a residency you get an exemption of $30,000 USD. If you do not have Nicaraguan residency you pay duty. Depends on the item and ranges from 15 to 60%. The rates are posted on the customs website. If you have some small stuff you can usually attempt to bring in in baggage....but if checked and caught.....duty!!
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johnchip
1/29/2017 19:00 EST
Be reminded, your residency will likley take about a year, so the shipping duty timing is something to be considered. And expect at least a few months for aashipment to arrive. I am not sure if it does not have to used all at one time or can be split over time. I woul d not even cnsider diong this myself and I would use a full shipper / broker arrangement door to door service.
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iguanalover
1/29/2017 20:18 EST
if you only have a few items, bring it in as extra baggage. It is easier to pay the airline. We have had friends who have brought in a dozen suitcases and sailed thru aduana. When you get to baggage claim, there will be guys looking to help you for a fee. Hire one and they will help get your bags thru. Make sure you can prove value, like have some kind of receipt even if you have to print one up. They are looking for commercial things. We have been stopped and questioned but not had to pay extra duty. We had a friend who was trying to bring in twenty six bags of cat food and she got hit hard by aduana. If you ship it, hire a broker to tell you how to do it and what to do when it gets here.
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johnchip
1/29/2017 21:05 EST
Last trip we had 12 bags 60-80 lb air free as we were first/business class of 3, plus 2 carry-ons each. The only issue was a large gaming computer after our other 6 pc's had passed through. Eventualy the custom's agent was happy to see a $20 bill on his table and we left the airport. The extra cost of first class well offset the huge extra baggage allowance it gives you. ...and of course I used upgraded miles...;)
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atz111
1/29/2017 21:46 EST
Can be split. Some now and some later. Broker is mandatory...by law for shipments over $2,000. For import on residency you cannot do without broker...good one is 400 or so. many will arrange delivery to home as well so it is seamless.
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johnchip
1/29/2017 22:55 EST
I challenged twice import customs appraised fees. They did reduce about 25%. So consider the value as low as you can for any goods you bring with you. If in question, have apraisals made at home in writing that lowers real value. And just remember, here, what you think is valuable is not. This is a world of no antiques, no precious 'stuff'. Your 'precious' is junk here. After moving personal goods' to 3 countries in Latin Americia, would now bring nothing, but small box. Your 'senimental values' fade away quickly once actually living in a different culture. Bring nothing. Buy here, as it is all ends up 'fitting'.
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cedelune
1/29/2017 23:28 EST
I will have about a pallette left to ship after my next trip to bring stuff back. Plastic book and file boxes and a few household items I can't take on a plane. Any suggestions for good shippers/brokers? Shipping from Miami.
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feliceb
1/30/2017 09:34 EST
Hello Everyone,
I have a question regarding importation of personal goods once a resident and it is if one is married does the $20,000 or $30,000 allowed pertain to each individual or to the couple as a unit?
Thank you most kindly
feliceb
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atz111
1/30/2017 10:32 EST
Residencies are individual...so if you get one and she gets one...it is 2x.
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elduendegrande
1/30/2017 15:44 EST
keep in mind for antiques the humidity, mold, termites, leaky roofs, careless damage, and theft, although an antique might not be a high theft item if the thief didn't know what it was or where he could sell it.
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johnchip
1/31/2017 22:27 EST
Cede, there are a lot of private shippers in Latino immigrant neighborhoods who have set ups in Latino markets where they offer the telephone cards, have the bus notices, We used to send 'boxes'. Look and ask for a shipper. Very inexpensive. Never had a problem.
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Dlee1154
2/1/2017 01:08 EST
Where did you get that residency takes a year? It has been done in 3 months!
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melissaatfestoon
2/1/2017 09:52 EST
HI Johnchip,
Can you tell me more about private shippers, and how that worked? cost, what you shipped? And then no duty?
Thanks!
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elduendegrande
2/3/2017 22:38 EST
If you send household goods you are entitled to $500 twice a year. lotta limits like no computers, etc. Have shipped several with clothes, tools, books. 2 times no problems, delivered to the house. 2 times had to go to mga and walk them thru customs.
Box by air from miami ok, box by boat from L.A. to expensive for my tastes. quote I got from Vegas even worse.
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KeyWestPirate
2/4/2017 12:53 EST
If you drive down (easy drive) things like clothes,, food items,, books,, hand tools, are ignored. You can stuff a lot of stuff into a vehicle, and it all adds up if you buy it here,, especially with Nicaragua's 15% sales tax.
Anything you can reasonably claim that you are going to be using on the trip,, even VERY large quantities of food for example, is ignored. A couple of laptops would fly,, larger computer would be looked at. That cement mixer in the back of your truck . . . . well, you may dance better than I do.
Tell them you are on your way to Panama :)
Power tools,, large tv screens,, appliances, big generators,, are obviously beyond the needs of a tourist, and will be questioned.
I've never had problems in Mexico,, but CA you can also use a customs broker to list your goods and pass you through. We're talking lots of stuff.
You can look in the forum of TRN , Nicaragua Scrapbook,,and see some of the truck loads I've brought down. At this point you are no longer a tourist,,
Downside: You have to transit the country within 24 hours, without fail if you use the transit procedure for your stuff.. Mechanical breakdowns have to be documented by a police report. Fine in El Salvador,, for example,, is $1700 for missing that 24 hour window.
Good luck and Bienvenidos!
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waltermboyleses
3/8/2017 07:58 EST
We brought maybe 30 paintings from El Salvador & no problem 2015 June. Today? (Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? THE SHADOW KNOWS!)
H2O 212F
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