Shipping household goods from Germany to USA on K1 - customs and taxes?

[Travelbugs 3]

Hey there,

I am getting ready to organize my move to CA in November.

I have found a decend priced shipping company who gave me the information that moving goods are customs and tax free.

According to CBP this is true, however, I want to be positive about terminology.

CBP states that goods are tax-free for nonresidents/first-time immigrants when moving household items that had been in the foreigner's use and hands for a minimum of one year.

This all is true for me, except that I will be entering the US on a K1 - does this count as first-time immigrant?

Also, in your experience, will the shipping company take care of paperwork (e. "Customs Form 3299 “Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles,”), or will I have to provide this upon pick-up of my goods at the US port?

Any experiences with that? Thank you so much already for you help!!!

[Colleens 40]

Hey there,

I am getting ready to organize my move to CA in November.

I have found a decend priced shipping company who gave me the information that moving goods are customs and tax free.

According to CBP this is true, however, I want to be positive about terminology.

CBP states that goods are tax-free for nonresidents/first-time immigrants when moving household items that had been in the foreigner's use and hands for a minimum of one year.

This all is true for me, except that I will be entering the US on a K1 - does this count as first-time immigrant?

Also, in your experience, will the shipping company take care of paperwork (e. "Customs Form 3299 “Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles,”), or will I have to provide this upon pick-up of my goods at the US port?

Any experiences with that? Thank you so much already for you help!!!

When I moved from Canada, I had to fill out the form 3299 and give it to the moving company along with a list of what was being moved. I numbered my boxes and just put a breif description of what was in the box (kitchen items, clothing, linens etc). They also suggest listing serial numbers for any electronics. You will need to provide the shipping company a copy of your Visa (and your I-94...I think as you have to enter the country before your goods). All goods that you have owned for a year or more are able to be imported at no cost and you can continue bringing your personal goods tax free for 10 yrs (but it has to be stuff that you owned prior to moving to the US).

[KiwiDK 0]

Can i ask what a decend priced for shipping it is? And how many things are u bringing?

Also do u pack in normal cardboard box or u pack in woodboxes? or how?

The prices i found when i looked was really high.. and that was only for around 8 boxes.

[Travelbugs 3]

Can i ask what a decend priced for shipping it is? And how many things are u bringing?

Also do u pack in normal cardboard box or u pack in woodboxes? or how?

The prices i found when i looked was really high.. and that was only for around 8 boxes.

Sure, I am using a company called Pangaeacargo. I used them before one time and I was super satisfied with their service and everything.

I am shipping 9 boxes (1.37cbm) from the South of Germany to San Diego.

The price for pick up and transportation to the German port is 95 EUR, export fees and loading fee is 100EUR and $400 for shipment to San Diego. They were BY FAR the cheapest I could find.

I pack all my things in cardboard boxes (all same size which makes it cheaper). I am not shipping furniture or anything, just books, silverware, towels, clothes, shoes.

I can really recommend that company. Let me know if you have more questions!

When I moved from Canada, I had to fill out the form 3299 and give it to the moving company along with a list of what was being moved. I numbered my boxes and just put a breif description of what was in the box (kitchen items, clothing, linens etc). They also suggest listing serial numbers for any electronics. You will need to provide the shipping company a copy of your Visa (and your I-94...I think as you have to enter the country before your goods). All goods that you have owned for a year or more are able to be imported at no cost and you can continue bringing your personal goods tax free for 10 yrs (but it has to be stuff that you owned prior to moving to the US).

Awesome! Thank you so much! That helps a lot!