Shipping cargo frrom Honolulu to Manila

[Stevephoto 230]

Aloha again everyone!

 

Thanks again for the replies to my earlier post about a reverse visa for me. We are still 18 months away, but we are beginning to plan the big move for the end of 2013/start of 2014. We are not bringing much with us, but more than a few balikbayan boxes, so I am looking for freight companies to get some idea of shipping costs (it might sound silly, but I have a pair of 40 year old studio monitors/stereo speakers that have been with me for 40 years from NY to LA to Honolulu and I want to keep them--they were a gift from my parents back in the day and are a big part of my adult life--besides, they still sound awesome!). We will also have a few personal items like some statuettes from my mom's house. We are not planning on bringing any furniture or TVs, but I might add my stereo with the speakers--and perhaps my computer because we are now looking at 2023/24 and not 2024/25. Point is, we will have too much to bring with us (especially because we are bringing our cat!) Sorry, long winded intro, here's the question: Does anyone know of a company that offers ocean cargo services from Honolulu to Manila where I can actually get some prices? I have searched online for weeks to no avail ("instant" online quotes, emails, phone calls, you name it!) Any ideas? I get shut down as soon as they learn it is a personal cargo and not a business--even though I am clear about that from the start! 

 

As always, Maraming salamat!

[Adventine 3,196]

I can't speak to stereos but this may be helpful for the computer: my husband packed a full size CPU, PC monitor and other components into a regular suitcase. He just carefully cushioned the items in his clothes. He did it twice (US-PH and PH-US) and continues to use the PC to this day, without issues.

 

If you've only got a few balikbayan boxes worth of stuff, have you considered simply sending them in... balikbayan boxes? I'm sure family in the PH could receive them for you until you're settled in your new home.

 

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

12 hours ago, Adventine said:

I can't speak to stereos but this may be helpful for the computer: my husband packed a full size CPU, PC monitor and other components into a regular suitcase. He just carefully cushioned the items in his clothes. He did it twice (US-PH and PH-US) and continues to use the PC to this day, without issues.

 

If you've only got a few balikbayan boxes worth of stuff, have you considered simply sending them in... balikbayan boxes? I'm sure family in the PH could receive them for you until you're settled in your new home.

 

You should really buy him a laptop ))) 😉

[Adventine 3,196]

@Carpe Vinum it was one of them custom built gaming PCs. He couldn't let it go 🤣 

[flicks1998 1,044]

I can put you in touch with a few reliable shipping companies, but searching and asking for a quote now is way too early.  International freight is extremely, EXTREMELY expensive now.  Premiums are running anywhere between 35-175% or more compared to pre-Covid.  One reason you may not be getting a response is if you are putting your estimated move date, nobody will quote that early.  The ideal time is to get a quote a few months out from your departure date, however since you may want to plan or budget ahead of time, put an earlier departure date so these companies can provide a quote.  Normally, the rate that you receive is only valid for 2-4 weeks before you have to commit.

 

Sending a BB box will be much easier but its still early for quotes as the amount will change from now until early 2024. 

 

As for the 40 year old speakers, you may want to check voltage.  Was anything 110-220V back in the 80s?  I remember having to travel with power converters when I was a child and those did not work very well.  If your speakers are not dual voltage or 220V, they will fry when you plug them in.  I would not rely on a converter either, especially if they have sentimental value.  Best bet would be to leave in the US with a friend or family member.

 

Also, I dont know where you will live, but whereever it will be, you will need to take into consideration security for your home.  I know of very few foreigners who have had home/condo break-ins in Manila, Cebu, etc in which there was on-site security.  I know alot of foreigners who have had home break-ins who have lived in the province with no security.  In fact, some have had 2, 3+ break-ins.  Anything of sentimental value or monetary value, I would not bring with you, even if you are moving for retirement unless you will have very good security.

 

When the time comes, I can provide you more information on what I used to advise expats who were going to the Philippines for long-term work assignments. 

 

Edited June 30, 2022 by flicks1998

[Stevephoto 230]

1 hour ago, flicks1998 said:

I can put you in touch with a few reliable shipping companies, but searching and asking for a quote now is way too early.  International freight is extremely, EXTREMELY expensive now.  Premiums are running anywhere between 35-175% or more compared to pre-Covid.  One reason you may not be getting a response is if you are putting your estimated move date, nobody will quote that early.  The ideal time is to get a quote a few months out from your departure date, however since you may want to plan or budget ahead of time, put an earlier departure date so these companies can provide a quote.  Normally, the rate that you receive is only valid for 2-4 weeks before you have to commit.

 

Sending a BB box will be much easier but its still early for quotes as the amount will change from now until early 2024. 

 

As for the 40 year old speakers, you may want to check voltage.  Was anything 110-220V back in the 80s?  I remember having to travel with power converters when I was a child and those did not work very well.  If your speakers are not dual voltage or 220V, they will fry when you plug them in.  I would not rely on a converter either, especially if they have sentimental value.  Best bet would be to leave in the US with a friend or family member.

 

Also, I dont know where you will live, but whereever it will be, you will need to take into consideration security for your home.  I know of very few foreigners who have had home/condo break-ins in Manila, Cebu, etc in which there was on-site security.  I know alot of foreigners who have had home break-ins who have lived in the province with no security.  In fact, some have had 2, 3+ break-ins.  Anything of sentimental value or monetary value, I would not bring with you, even if you are moving for retirement unless you will have very good security.

 

When the time comes, I can provide you more information on what I used to advise expats who were going to the Philippines for long-term work assignments. 

 

Thanks everyone. Yeah I know it is probably too soon for estimates. We are going to send most of the stuff in Balikbayan boxes but some things won't go in them. We hare having a few 110 outlets installed throughout  the houses--including where the stereo would go so power "should" not be a problem. I hear the concerns about security. We won't have much of great monetary value---just those great sounding speakers! I am also looking at the question of bringing the desktop or getting a laptop when we get to the Philippines. All of the decisions to be made got pushed up a year so I am feeling a little more pressure to get things organized, but the reality is that there is still plenty of time.  Salamat everyone!

[RO_AH 1,659]

4 minutes ago, Stevephoto said:

I am also looking at the question of bringing the desktop or getting a laptop when we get to the Philippines.

I'm old school and hate laptops. You pay more, they are more expensive and more difficult to troubleshoot and repair. You should look at smaller platform PC's like Lenovo Tiny or similar from HP or Dell. That's what I sent my wife when she was in the Philippines. Another nice thing about them is the power is 110/220 so you can plug them in anywhere.

 

Other than that send as much as you can in BB's. Also check with your local LBC if there is any way to send oversized items. Probably best to check the one on Kam Hwy/Dillingham.

[Stevephoto 230]

1 hour ago, RO_AH said:

I'm old school and hate laptops. You pay more, they are more expensive and more difficult to troubleshoot and repair. You should look at smaller platform PC's like Lenovo Tiny or similar from HP or Dell. That's what I sent my wife when she was in the Philippines. Another nice thing about them is the power is 110/220 so you can plug them in anywhere.

 

Other than that send as much as you can in BB's. Also check with your local LBC if there is any way to send oversized items. Probably best to check the one on Kam Hwy/Dillingham.

Same here. I was a photographer in another lifetime and editing on a laptop is like playing pin the tail on the donkey! Unfortunately I have had MACS for about 20 years--not that I am in love with Apple, but some of my programs are MAC based...but that could change. Good tip on checking with LBC on over-sized items. Will do. Have you ever used Atlas in Waipahu?

[RO_AH 1,659]

1 hour ago, Stevephoto said:

Good tip on checking with LBC on over-sized items. Will do. Have you ever used Atlas in Waipahu?

I have not. I have sent probably 20-30 boxes using LBC and all have made it without incident. I also used to use them for remittance. They have always done great so I have never looked elsewhere...Except remittance. I use Sendwave now.

[Stevephoto 230]

On 6/30/2022 at 8:36 AM, RO_AH said:

 Also check with your local LBC if there is any way to send oversized items. Probably best to check the one on Kam Hwy/Dillingham.

Good call on checking with LBC for oversized boxes. They will be able to ship my speakers for about $90.00 each. Shoots, for that I can send my whole stereo/sound system for about $250.00. It would cost more to replace one of my components over there (not that is an elaborate or very expensive set-up)! As mentioned, we are adding a 110 line in the living room, so it "should" all work.

 

@flicks1998 we are also double checking on security features.

 

Thanks everyone!

[top_secret 2,417]

I don't think that I would trust anything of great sentimental value to go through Philippine Customs as cargo.  I'd at least take it on the plane with me.

 

Old computers are a dime a dozen but in my real life I work IT and get virtually limitless free old retired Dell's.  Elite status on Philippine Airlines gets you 3 boxes 50 lbs. each checked luggage and I brought in a ton of old PC's to give away with little trouble (probably literally a ton) when I was flying back and forth all the time.

[Stevephoto 230]

23 hours ago, top_secret said:

I don't think that I would trust anything of great sentimental value to go through Philippine Customs as cargo.  I'd at least take it on the plane with me.

 

Old computers are a dime a dozen but in my real life I work IT and get virtually limitless free old retired Dell's.  Elite status on Philippine Airlines gets you 3 boxes 50 lbs. each checked luggage and I brought in a ton of old PC's to give away with little trouble (probably literally a ton) when I was flying back and forth all the time.

You raise a good point (as usual). My reality makes your suggestion a little tougher. I know that we can get porters (on both sides) but I have cerebral palsy, so that makes what I can carry (even to a porter) very limited...whether I use a walker or electric wheelchair, bringing extra bags is not an easy option for us...and we are bringing our cat which just adds a whole extra dimension of fun to the trip--I will probably have the cat on my lap in the wheelchair and Joan will push whatever she can on the walker/porter cart. So, the reality is that we need to send as much as possible ahead of time. Hopefully something marked as "40-year stereo speakers" won't get too much attention. BUT, that is an option to add to the list, and right now i am just looking for options so I thank you for your thoughts. The good thing is we have more thoughts, ideas, and suggestions than we had five days ago, so again, maraming salamat everyone!