Shipping My Boxes Prior to Moving to the US

[NCWife 0]

Hi ....

From my timeline, I guess you can see that we have just started this process not too long ago. My fiance is getting really impatient and has been checking the status online every minute, whilst I am getting really excited and day dreaming about my move to the US to be with him. I even started to throw out unwanted things from my house and putting some of them into boxes and luggage bags. I know I am acting a little too fast there but I am already planning to send off some of my stuff to him maybe by the end of January.

I have been checking with some of the courier companies such as FEDEX, DHL etc and most of them charge crazy fees but at least I can trust them with my stuff. FEDEX gave me a quote of USD320 for shipping a box of 25 kilos of personal belongings from Malaysia to North Carolina and the problem is I have more than one box to send My fiance told me to leave some of my clothes and shoes and bags behind but ..... I can't do that.

So..... I was wondering if any of you had experience sending boxes of personal items from this side of the world (Malaysia) to the US and I would be more than happy if you could provide me some recommendation!

Thank you very much and all replies are welcomed!! :energetic:

Cheers!!!

[RosemarieL 0]

Hi ....

From my timeline, I guess you can see that we have just started this process not too long ago. My fiance is getting really impatient and has been checking the status online every minute, whilst I am getting really excited and day dreaming about my move to the US to be with him. I even started to throw out unwanted things from my house and putting some of them into boxes and luggage bags. I know I am acting a little too fast there but I am already planning to send off some of my stuff to him maybe by the end of January.

I have been checking with some of the courier companies such as FEDEX, DHL etc and most of them charge crazy fees but at least I can trust them with my stuff. FEDEX gave me a quote of USD320 for shipping a box of 25 kilos of personal belongings from Malaysia to North Carolina and the problem is I have more than one box to send My fiance told me to leave some of my clothes and shoes and bags behind but ..... I can't do that.

So..... I was wondering if any of you had experience sending boxes of personal items from this side of the world (Malaysia) to the US and I would be more than happy if you could provide me some recommendation!

Thank you very much and all replies are welcomed!! :energetic:

Cheers!!!

When I shipped my stuff, using excess baggage, they told me that they needed a copy of the K1 visa to prove that I had a valid reason to ship my belongings. I think this is so that they are not considered imports by customs and taxed.

[reach449 2]

My wife shipped her stuff, (three boxes, all over 20lbs a piece), from Bangkok. She shipped them via the Thailand Post Office. They apparently came by a boat, because it took them 2 to 3 months to get here in Tennesse. Each box cost her around $50.00 USD. It was expensive for a native of Thailand, but they did arrive with no problems.

Good Luck,

reach449

[Reba 2]

You'll have to wait until you have your visa to ship all that stuff, otherwise they'll charge you additional taxes and duties. Once you have your visa though, you can just bring it with you on the plane, and pay the extra luggage charge. Or ship it via post, with a copy of your visa and I-94 attached so you won't be charged duty and tax.

[reach449 2]

You'll have to wait until you have your visa to ship all that stuff, otherwise they'll charge you additional taxes and duties. Once you have your visa though, you can just bring it with you on the plane, and pay the extra luggage charge. Or ship it via post, with a copy of your visa and I-94 attached so you won't be charged duty and tax.

Hmmmm...my wife didn't have her Visa at the time she shipped her boxes. When you say, "they" will charge you additional taxes and duties, who are you talking about; the USA or the country you are sending it from? Maybe some countries are different, because Sao did not have to pay any taxes and duties, either in Thailand or the USA. And she sent three different boxes three different times...

reach449

[Kathryn41 3,205]

In order for personal belongings to enter the US duty free that person needs to be either a returning US citizen/resident or someone with a valid visa authorizing them to live in the US. The charges for duty are set by US Customs, and any shipping company must be able to provide copies of the necessary documentation when they bring the items across the border. This applies to items that are mailed, that are shipped by courier such as FedEx or by a shipping company like Atlas Van Lines or a Trans-ocean shipper, etc. You can ship personal items to the US without having the documentation but they are then subject to duty - and that can be prohibitive for some items. The rates are determined by the nature of the item being shipped and where it was made. Reach449, if your wife didn't have to pay customs or duty fees on her 3 boxes that was definitely the exception - or else the value was below the amount that is the exemption level. CL79, you may need to bring your items with you on the plane and pay the extra fee or find a shipper who will accept the items shortly before you leave for the US and to whom you can fax a copy of the I-94 that you will receive when you cross the border and activate your K-1.

[Dan J 277]

Hi ....

From my timeline, I guess you can see that we have just started this process not too long ago. My fiance is getting really impatient and has been checking the status online every minute, whilst I am getting really excited and day dreaming about my move to the US to be with him. I even started to throw out unwanted things from my house and putting some of them into boxes and luggage bags. I know I am acting a little too fast there but I am already planning to send off some of my stuff to him maybe by the end of January.

I have been checking with some of the courier companies such as FEDEX, DHL etc and most of them charge crazy fees but at least I can trust them with my stuff. FEDEX gave me a quote of USD320 for shipping a box of 25 kilos of personal belongings from Malaysia to North Carolina and the problem is I have more than one box to send My fiance told me to leave some of my clothes and shoes and bags behind but ..... I can't do that.

So..... I was wondering if any of you had experience sending boxes of personal items from this side of the world (Malaysia) to the US and I would be more than happy if you could provide me some recommendation!

Thank you very much and all replies are welcomed!! :energetic:

Cheers!!!

There are shipping companies that will do less than a container load shipments. It will take 6-12 weeks as it will be shipped via boat, but it will cost a lot less.

You can also look at taking excess baggage on the airline. Flights to the US are usually charged per piece, as long as it doesn't exceed the weight or size limit. How much this will cost depends on the airline, but i think it would be less than $320 per piece.

[NCWife 0]

Wow... Thank you very much for all your replies. I really appreciate all your input!

I have just spoken to a representative from FEDEX here and below is the quotation he gave me:

Door to door service from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Charlotte, NC - 4 days arrival

25 kilos with FEDEX packaging: USD 170

25 kilos own packaging: USD 420

Incredible huh?

Well, I have asked about the duty and taxes on my personal items and he said my stuff could be subjected to taxes but it depends on the item itself such as electronics and larger items but rarely in used clothes. I will have to be very specific and detailed in listing the name, the short description and the value of the items on the Commercial Invoice form. Do not list down ridiculous value, i.e. USD 5 for a Gucci bag? Haha.....He mentioned usually the customs will not tax the used personal items. Different is said for gifts though. He advised to send used stuff and bring the new stuff with me when I fly over to the US. Also, I do not need to provide any documentation as in copies of visas or letters. Just to play safe, I guess I will have to prepare some documentation B)

As for sending via airline's excess baggage, it could be slightly cheaper but I will have to go through the hassle of driving an hour to the airport, going through numerous tolls and the time spend standing in line.... Oh gosh!

I will go to the FEDEX office to ask once again just to make sure

Cheers all and happy Monday. Yikes!

Edited January 7, 2008 by CL79

[melusine 5]

Honnestly you should relax about it and wait your visa. I would suggest to jut sell the household tings you will not be needed after your move then once you have everything, check for fret companies by boat or plane that do just that and if you have indeed a lot of things to send... it will be more cost effectly and smarter too in terms of taxes/border etc.

Also, something we don't really want to think but what about if the visa is denied or if it takes longer than usual.... then what ?

My advice is then wait and see. Still why not make a list of all your possession you will send already ? with prices etc

will be usefull for when you will send your things but also for insurances purpose later on.

(i know it's hard to wait...and me too i thought about it, i even already sold my car, washer, dryer and a bunch of stuff)