Ecuador
Stephen to me:
I am very sorry that your container has been delayed. As you may gather MSC is not our regular vessel operator (the people that own the ships and the containers), we normally use Maersk but Maersk don’t have a service from Seattle.
We have had no problem with Maersk since we started shipping containers to Guayaquil always sending them under regimen 80 to Aduana Precua. MSC on the other hand has had lots of problems with household goods shipments arriving in Guayaquil and they have containers now seized and sitting idle and I guess the owners of those household goods are out of luck too.
Because of the problems MSC has had they have introduced a policy that the customer must use an Ecuador freight forwarder. So when the documents were issued MSC USA refused to put Aduana Precua on the documents because they are not a freight forwarder. Then the MSC Ecuador people were presented with these documents when the containers were being loaded in Balboa saying that the way the USA people had issued the documents without any freight forwarder was a big problem. That when Aduana Precua was removed we should have put a freight forwarder in their place.
So the argument is simply this do they issue the documents with Aduana Precua next to Terry’s name as we have requested and know is accepted in Cuenca or with a freight forwarder only in the consignee box. The freight forwarders we have talked to say that we are correct the shipment must have Terry’s name in the consignee box care of a company (and that can be Aduana Precua) for the documents to be accepted by Cuenca customs. The advice we have from freight forwarders is that if there is only a freight forwarder in the consignee box that this will be a big problem with customs.
So even if the delay continues I am very reluctant to agree that they use their suggested freight forwarder unless we get some cast iron guarantees that they will be responsible for ensuring the container is not seized. Even then I am reluctant to concede because we know what we want on the documents works every week with Aduana Precua and even their guarantee doesn’t mean that you will definitely get your container.
Please let me know if you have any questions and once again sorry.
This is the first time this has happened to one of my shipments of any commodity anywhere in the world but it seems like these MSC people in Ecuador do this regularly. No it has nothing to do with you coming from Seattle except that MSC is the only company with a service out of Seattle (actually all the Pacific North West) to Guayaquil so we had to use them, we normally use Maersk. However we use MSC for other services to other parts of the world and we don’t have problems so I am confident that with my relationships I can get this solved it is just taking time. I can assure you that regardless of who MSC Ecuador has hosed before you that I am not going to let anything like that happen to your shipment and you are only going to pay what I outlined to you. So try to relax and give it a few more days. It is just imperative to get the paperwork right before the container arrives and is discharged in Guayaquil.
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SUZANNE asks: Do we have to pay for holding fees with delays that are due to the computer system problems? I understand about the new system not working, but is the port charging everyone business and personal for their problem? Too bad they didnt get this fixed yet.
STEPHAN answers: Correct, the port makes no exceptions for their storage charges to them it is not their problem it is a customs issue. We had a container last week that got to Cuenca was physically inspected and still it wasn’t allowed to drive away because the system didn’t release it…and they had to pay $110.00 for each day it sat in Cuenca at customs which made even less sense. I think they have cut out a lot of the corruption recently and this is a way for them to make up revenue.
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UPDATE .....DEC 11
Hello Stephen,
At the
moment there is a problem processing the nationalization of household goods with guarantees under the new Customs computer system recently implemented in Ecuador. I am insisting through the customs agent. Today he said the customs department has not given an instruction on how to perform this procedure. Supposedly, the Director of Customs for Cuenca is coming back on Friday and may provide a solution to this problem.
I'm writing a letter to Customs requesting in writing to give Terry a solution as the demurrage fees keep accumulating. The problem is not the warehouse charge because that is about $8.33 a day but Mediterranean Shipping starts charging demurrage fees after their 10 free day’s allowance. I beilieve it is about $50 for the first five days and then it duplicates. I can find out the exact amounts tomorrow when they answer their phone.
Take care,
Grace
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comments:
Jan: The way I figured this was $7625, not counting the deposit which is refundable. Obviously this is really a rought estimate, but I am so curious---would it take more than that to "replace" necessities like appliances and furniture in Ecuador, or is it the desire to have your own "things" that would warrant this decision?
Suzanne: Since then, we upgraded to a 40 foot and the price only jumped 2000 or less and the refundable portion is 5000.00. Our stuff is mostly new Jan...well all of mine is. Terry upgraded things in the last yr as well. Seems silly to sell it for cheap then spend those thousands all over again. I had a car accident settlement that went into the home and I also got a beautiful pool table we tackle today. Many are walking away and starting fresh I understand. My stuff is fresh already. And Terry is bringing his tool chest on wheels. He admits this morning that I was right, a lot of things he packed yesterday were not needed. Terry likes quality so the things he has weren't cheap to buy and what he is selling in the last few weeks is going like hot cakes because of their value. He thinks the shipping rates with this company are very good. The other company charged 3000 more I think. And the number one reason for Terry shipping is music gear.
Actually, with the 20 foot the quote was around 6,400 for everything. On top of that was 3000 which would be reimbursed...................................................... Standby Fees ?
ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS
$ 6,244.00 plus deposit for container. Since then, we upgraded to a 40 foot and the price only jumped 2000 or less and the refundable portion is 5000.00.
Sheryl: I've spent over $4,000 just buying appliances and the bare necessities for one bedroom and some living room furniture!
Suzanne: Yeah, we saw a headboard and side tables for 1,200 down there that we loved and a 1,200 china cabinet. We will spend several thousand on furniture/appliances most likely.
Leigh :Suzanne - who were 'the other company'? Same thing with my husband and his music gear - he plays all instruments himself
Suzanne : [email protected]
Margarita: Be careful.
Suzanne : Stephen is taking care of us but he wanted the 'list' today...itemized with values...wow, unbelievably long.
Deborah, why "be careful?"
Louise: We have a friend who is using the company you mentioned above and it has been a nightmare!!! They have been held up in customs for weeks with maybe an end insight the end of the month. We used INSA. Patricio is the gentleman who we worked with. I would highly recomend looking at them if you are not locked in yet. We were not required to pay any type of container deposit.
Louise ...do you mean the one mentioned in this thread? Relocation services? If so, thats the one I heard was being investigated. The reviews on the one we are using seems to get 5 stars.
Louise : Yes, that is who they used. It has been horrible for them.
Lena: I have to say, we sold all my husbands tools in AK, and have not been able to replace them all here. Even the more expensive brands seem to be junk, its like they have a "special" South American model that is made with cheaper materials! If we did it again, I would probably ship a container just for the tools, then I would throw in the washer/dryer, kids bikes, trampoline, all my fabric and all my appliances!
Louise: I would kill for a fabulous fabric store!!! And I sure agree on the S.A. special!!! We purchased a Whirlpool range and it is just about worthless.
Lena: Everything seems to be worthless, and only meant to last 2 years at best! Its all tin foil it seems If you ever find that fabric store let me know....I love fabric shopping. Where are you located Louise?
Lanz : We've noticed that, too. Even the cars you buy here seem to be a piece of junk. Most things seem to be made with inferior materials and even if they are a North American brand, the quality just isn't there.
Aly: I find that my expectations have changed since I've been there. I think I've become more of a minimalist by choice. I don't "need" as much stuff. I'd rather have less, simplify my life and be more
Suzanne: This here is from an expat about the time frame for getting your money back when shipping container first: I posted a question some time ago about how to get the "deposit" back from customs if you shipped your container first and then got your residence visa. We finally got all of our "deposit" after waiting for ~4 months. We did not make special trips to Guayaquil to get it or hire someone to get it for us. Ecuador is really teaching me patience. Just wanted to let folks know that it worked out just fine and that it is possible to successfully ship your household-goods container before getting your visa!
Suzanne: Then this is from our guy who is handling our container through Grace:
"Having told you that it should only take a week after arriving in Guayaquil, Ecuador customs has introduced a new computer system that wasn’t well thought out and has all kinds of glitches so all clearances have come to a grinding halt but especially household goods. I have a container being handled by Grace that has sat in Guayaquil for more than two weeks and one not handled by Grace that actually made it to Cuenca, had the physical exam but they won’t release it to deliver until the system says it can be released! Hopefully they have things sorted out by the time your container arrives…."
Margarita: They will probably charge you storage fees, something like $75 per day or something like that. Good luck, Suzanne.
Suzanne: They decided to keep our container on the ship....and go back to Balboa with it. This will allow time to fix the paperwork and get things right so it can enter port at Guayaquil and go through customs in Cuenca. Wow...what a head ache.
Leigh: Oh gosh Suzanne - that is strange and weird. Pardon my ignorance, but Balboa is where?
Gail: So sorry for the hassles. Makes me more convinced that I don't want to ship a container. We will take the minimum we can't live without and start over
Suzanne: We have 9 more days til it gets into port...hopefully their issues are ironed out by then.
Suzanne: with less corruption, adding on fees in other ways will be the norm. this process is so taxing
Suzanne: Well that is why I am posting all this so people can see what its like. The hassles are for the shipping company and the lawyer to hash out. But then we actually have a couple mistakes in our packing list. Soooo, if they notice it and want to go ape sh-t on us with fines...well, we are ready for it. I hope not....I hope its a friday and they are tired and just want to get it done with and go home.
Suzanne: Balboa Panama
Leigh: What type of mistakes, Suzanne?
Suzanne: Mistakes in numbering boxes mostly. And the number of items matching content...we had 212 boxes....furniture counts as boxes also. A pool table in pieces counting as one. All fairly stressful. We should have allowed another week or two to pull it off.
Suzanne: If we were in our right minds, we would have done better I think. The black mold poisoning really effected our minds, emotions and overall health. I have heard you can spend thousands replacing everything. Our things were fairly new so that didnt make sense to take losses in selling things, we already did as it is.
Jan: Does anyone ever ship a container BACK to the states? Or, in the unlikely event of not enjoying one's life on a new continent, what does one do with all of the things one has brought in a container. As a person who will arrive with darn little, I just wonder if GringoTree is the only avenue for acquiring used furniture.
Lena: Not much for used in Ecuador, they use it till it wears out here, then they might use it for firewood lol!
Any used sales are usually very expensive too, things really hold their value here......just look at the price on old junker cars, so crazy!
Suzanne: The container arrived in Guy last thursday and it only took 7 days for it to clear then get here. But, we ran out of cash flow to afford the taxes since the bank deposit hasnt cleared yet. The first 10 days being stored at customs in Cuenca is covered by the shipping deal. Then its 35 a day for 5 or so more days then 75 a day. Terry said its worth it to just leave it there for the time being til his proof of retirement letter arrives. Boeing would not hand write a letter stating he gets retirement from them but agreed to add a line or two and then hand sign it to notarize it. Then we will get it appostilled. Grace thinks the form letter isnt good enough...but so far she told us a couple things that were wrong. Like saying Terry couldn't open a bank account til he had his cedula. If we would have done it when we arrived, his 401k would be available to us now. We were told by the bank it takes 30 days to clear. I have read here that it takes 2 to 3 weeks. Hopefully its sooner than later.We did open an acct on Monday.
Merce:. We are going back to the US.....now live in Bahia. Brought a 40 ft container 3 years ago, and will be selling most of our household stuff....including a Baldwin piano. Also, 2 oceanfront apartments and a storefront bodega. We have been busy!!! We are now inquiring about a shipping company or cargo for taking back some personal items. Help !!! ,
Suzanne: Todays update has to do with the new implemented software system that is not working correctly. It does not calculate taxes or fees for household goods. Wonder why they didnt try this out before installing it? Found out this new software was made in Korea.
Suzanne: so.... we finally paid the guarantee, ie taxes.....but their new software is so new that we are the first people to attempt bringing in their container and having to pay taxes....and one big whoops is that their new software that took 2 weeks or more to calculate those taxes... (they forgot to try this software before implementing it)......well it wasnt set up at all to ACCEPT the money into the proper place either! they didnt put it in a passport account but a national ID account we dont have yet with our passport number. so the system spit it out. BUT...the container cannot be in this country past 90 days on its own. their suggestion yesterday since the problem is their software and we already gave them our 4900 plus 2000 for pos fees...is to deposit a new amount to then enter it into the account of the customs office to please the system.........like we have money free to do that right now (our savings transfer is lost in banking limbo)....coz they said it would take maybe 10 days to free up the original payment on the current deposit to start over with their temp solution. yikes. their other idea is that they just freaking fix their problem without due strain on us. when we did this the first time...it took them almost 2 weeks to then tell us they couldnt put our money anywhere thanks to the new software. so, we need a miracle today. we are the first expats in the country experiencing how lame the NEW software is.
Sherene: Wow Suzanne ,good luck with all this mess. You have a great attitude in spite of all the trouble!
Geri" So sorry you are going through this mess. Keep in mind, though, no one BETA tests in the US anymore either. go figure.
Attila: OMG!.... CONTAINER HELL... and the saga continues ?... My heart goes out to you. Best of luck.
I guess we should not have complained about getting out our two containers in about 3 weeks.
Suzanne: You can say that again. We hope they clear it asap before it passes the deadline of being accepted. I told Terry we will do whatever it takes to get it. You had 2 containers? Well the difference with ours is it being taxed, before residency. Once the software works, it shouldnt be a problem for others. The customs agent went to Guy to clear this up in our behalf. Sure hopes it works. What is frustrating is that they or the lawyer says we will call you back at 2 or 3 and we never heard from them, we always call them the following day.
Emails are below between us and Stephen:
Suzanne: Well we just found out that the container behind us just cleared. So, they figured out the problem but.....our lawyer has not called us with any good news yet. Grace said she will call when she hears something yet Stephen is the one who gave us the update. He has been very empathetic. The container being stored here is 70 a day.
Suzanne: From: Stephen Aron
Subject: RE: You are not alone!
It can’t still be a software issue, there has to be something more because the other couple with the Maersk container cleared their shipment under the same 40% duty payment that you are going through. Grace also sent me an email giving the go ahead for another shipment for another couple that will be entering paying the same 40% and she said in that email that all the software problems with Ecupass were now solved.
YAY!!!!!! we passed inspection today..............Grace and Nelson came through for us when we really needed them :) Jan 18
The inspector went through what seemed like 8 boxes or more. Many boxes were furniture items or plain to see what they were. They actually went to the back of the container pulling out heavy things like beds and pool table pieces etc. We told our lawyer to have them stop standing on the boxes since glass/china was in some. They complied. Only question by the inspector was the value on the 6 yr old Mac. It was very expensive but it was 6 yrs old and the tax value is supposed to be garage sale value. Our garage sale items only got good money with the guns. And, our lawyer's translator looking at our extensive list told us to revalue the items to bring the total value down to 10,000! Maybe because the (returnable tax) tax we had to pay up front was going to be so much (it was around 4500.00)
Suzanne: From Stephen: After checking your container arrived Guayaquil on the 29th. You do have 10 days free then $50.00 (not $45.00) per day for first five days then $90.00 (not $95.00) thereafter. So the Math is correct at $3,760 for 54 days total 44 in detention.
Stephen: Hi Suzanne, despite what you went through you did get through before the latest changes. They will now require each type of the household item to be packed separately by type of goods (not sure yet if they mean kitchen items or if kitchen utensils have to be separate from pots and pans!). Packages and boxes must be clearly named by type and numbered. The contents of each box must correspond to this single type and must be identified. The list must give the number of items per case/carton AND the weight in kilograms! I am still trying to find out when this will be introduced and I have warned the people we are currently working with but you might want to post this latest hurdle anyone else still in the process of packing.
From Stephen after I said it sounds like a nightmare for any new shipments:
Yes a complete nightmare I have people waiting for their residence permits with as many as 500 boxes packed ready to ship then out of the blue this, here is an email that makes it a bit clearer...
QUOTE
The new rules are a 30 page manual, I have just started to read, and is basically what we have told you so far.
This is not official yet, and it won’t affect any of the containers, that have been shipped already, but it will affect all of the containers that will be shipped once the documents are signed by the president Correa and released.
We can’t know exactly when this will be released and all we can do is guess, is ok to load that container today, but if the documents become official next week, if the next container is not loaded, then they will have to make changes in the boxes, and so will everybody else that has things in storage.
The category should be “kitchen utensils” . You have to list the amount of each, for example:
20 pots,
30 plastic containers
40 dishes
Detail its condition New or Used, unitary price and total price. Pack in one box only what corresponds to a specific category. Do not put a hair dryer in the same box, for example.
Living room is not a category. They need to put in each box for example 3 separate boxes for decorations, lamps and framed pictures each one with description of their condition (New or Used) with number, unitary price and the total price of each item and total price of each carton.
If one box contains books they need to specify how many.
The weight is only for the clothing, footwear and accessories. The limit is 200 kilograms per family member coming but no weight specification for other items.
The category and box number needs to go outside of the box.
No value limit.
UNQUOTE
ail that all the software problems with Ecupass were now solved.
Suzanne: From Stephen: After checking your container arrived Guayaquil on the 29th. You do have 10 days free then $50.00 (not $45.00) per day for first five days then $90.00 (not $95.00) thereafter. So the Math is correct at $3,760 for 54 days total 44 in detention. Stephen: Hi Suzanne, despite what you went through you did get through before the latest changes. They will now require each type of the household item to be packed separately by type of goods (not sure yet if they mean kitchen items or if kitchen utensils have to be separate from pots and pans!). Packages and boxes must be clearly named by type and numbered. The contents of each box must correspond to this single type and must be identified. The list must give the number of items per case/carton AND the weight in kilograms! I am still trying to find out when this will be introduced and I have warned the people we are currently working with but you might want to post this latest hurdle anyone else still in the process of packing.
From Stephen after I said it sounds like a nightmare for any new shipments: Yes a complete nightmare I have people waiting for their residence permits with as many as 500 boxes packed ready to ship then out of the blue this, here is an email that makes it a bit clearer...
QUOTE
The new rules are a 30 page manual, I have just started to read, and is basically what we have told you so far.
This is not official yet, and it won’t affect any of the containers, that have been shipped already, but it will affect all of the containers that will be shipped once the documents are signed by the president Correa and released.
We can’t know exactly when this will be released and all we can do is guess, is ok to load that container today, but if the documents become official next week, if the next container is not loaded, then they will have to make changes in the boxes, and so will everybody else that has things in storage.
The category should be “kitchen utensils” . You have to list the amount of each, for example:
20 pots,
30 plastic containers
40 dishes
Detail its condition New or Used, unitary price and total price. Pack in one box only what corresponds to a specific category. Do not put a hair dryer in the same box, for example.
Living room is not a category. They need to put in each box for example 3 separate boxes for decorations, lamps and framed pictures each one with description of their condition (New or Used) with number, unitary price and the total price of each item and total price of each carton.
If one box contains books they need to specify how many.
The weight is only for the clothing, footwear and accessories. The limit is 200 kilograms per family member coming but no weight specification for other items.
The category and box number needs to go outside of the box.
No value limit.
UNQUOTE
I am very sorry that your container has been delayed. As you may gather MSC is not our regular vessel operator (the people that own the ships and the containers), we normally use Maersk but Maersk don’t have a service from Seattle.
We have had no problem with Maersk since we started shipping containers to Guayaquil always sending them under regimen 80 to Aduana Precua. MSC on the other hand has had lots of problems with household goods shipments arriving in Guayaquil and they have containers now seized and sitting idle and I guess the owners of those household goods are out of luck too.
Because of the problems MSC has had they have introduced a policy that the customer must use an Ecuador freight forwarder. So when the documents were issued MSC USA refused to put Aduana Precua on the documents because they are not a freight forwarder. Then the MSC Ecuador people were presented with these documents when the containers were being loaded in Balboa saying that the way the USA people had issued the documents without any freight forwarder was a big problem. That when Aduana Precua was removed we should have put a freight forwarder in their place.
So the argument is simply this do they issue the documents with Aduana Precua next to Terry’s name as we have requested and know is accepted in Cuenca or with a freight forwarder only in the consignee box. The freight forwarders we have talked to say that we are correct the shipment must have Terry’s name in the consignee box care of a company (and that can be Aduana Precua) for the documents to be accepted by Cuenca customs. The advice we have from freight forwarders is that if there is only a freight forwarder in the consignee box that this will be a big problem with customs.
So even if the delay continues I am very reluctant to agree that they use their suggested freight forwarder unless we get some cast iron guarantees that they will be responsible for ensuring the container is not seized. Even then I am reluctant to concede because we know what we want on the documents works every week with Aduana Precua and even their guarantee doesn’t mean that you will definitely get your container.
Please let me know if you have any questions and once again sorry.
This is the first time this has happened to one of my shipments of any commodity anywhere in the world but it seems like these MSC people in Ecuador do this regularly. No it has nothing to do with you coming from Seattle except that MSC is the only company with a service out of Seattle (actually all the Pacific North West) to Guayaquil so we had to use them, we normally use Maersk. However we use MSC for other services to other parts of the world and we don’t have problems so I am confident that with my relationships I can get this solved it is just taking time. I can assure you that regardless of who MSC Ecuador has hosed before you that I am not going to let anything like that happen to your shipment and you are only going to pay what I outlined to you. So try to relax and give it a few more days. It is just imperative to get the paperwork right before the container arrives and is discharged in Guayaquil.
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SUZANNE asks: Do we have to pay for holding fees with delays that are due to the computer system problems? I understand about the new system not working, but is the port charging everyone business and personal for their problem? Too bad they didnt get this fixed yet.
STEPHAN answers: Correct, the port makes no exceptions for their storage charges to them it is not their problem it is a customs issue. We had a container last week that got to Cuenca was physically inspected and still it wasn’t allowed to drive away because the system didn’t release it…and they had to pay $110.00 for each day it sat in Cuenca at customs which made even less sense. I think they have cut out a lot of the corruption recently and this is a way for them to make up revenue.
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UPDATE .....DEC 11
Hello Stephen,
At the
moment there is a problem processing the nationalization of household goods with guarantees under the new Customs computer system recently implemented in Ecuador. I am insisting through the customs agent. Today he said the customs department has not given an instruction on how to perform this procedure. Supposedly, the Director of Customs for Cuenca is coming back on Friday and may provide a solution to this problem.
I'm writing a letter to Customs requesting in writing to give Terry a solution as the demurrage fees keep accumulating. The problem is not the warehouse charge because that is about $8.33 a day but Mediterranean Shipping starts charging demurrage fees after their 10 free day’s allowance. I beilieve it is about $50 for the first five days and then it duplicates. I can find out the exact amounts tomorrow when they answer their phone.
Take care,
Grace
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comments:
Jan: The way I figured this was $7625, not counting the deposit which is refundable. Obviously this is really a rought estimate, but I am so curious---would it take more than that to "replace" necessities like appliances and furniture in Ecuador, or is it the desire to have your own "things" that would warrant this decision?
Suzanne: Since then, we upgraded to a 40 foot and the price only jumped 2000 or less and the refundable portion is 5000.00. Our stuff is mostly new Jan...well all of mine is. Terry upgraded things in the last yr as well. Seems silly to sell it for cheap then spend those thousands all over again. I had a car accident settlement that went into the home and I also got a beautiful pool table we tackle today. Many are walking away and starting fresh I understand. My stuff is fresh already. And Terry is bringing his tool chest on wheels. He admits this morning that I was right, a lot of things he packed yesterday were not needed. Terry likes quality so the things he has weren't cheap to buy and what he is selling in the last few weeks is going like hot cakes because of their value. He thinks the shipping rates with this company are very good. The other company charged 3000 more I think. And the number one reason for Terry shipping is music gear.
Actually, with the 20 foot the quote was around 6,400 for everything. On top of that was 3000 which would be reimbursed...................................................... Standby Fees ?
ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS
$ 6,244.00 plus deposit for container. Since then, we upgraded to a 40 foot and the price only jumped 2000 or less and the refundable portion is 5000.00.
Sheryl: I've spent over $4,000 just buying appliances and the bare necessities for one bedroom and some living room furniture!
Suzanne: Yeah, we saw a headboard and side tables for 1,200 down there that we loved and a 1,200 china cabinet. We will spend several thousand on furniture/appliances most likely.
Leigh :Suzanne - who were 'the other company'? Same thing with my husband and his music gear - he plays all instruments himself
Suzanne : [email protected]
Margarita: Be careful.
Suzanne : Stephen is taking care of us but he wanted the 'list' today...itemized with values...wow, unbelievably long.
Deborah, why "be careful?"
Louise: We have a friend who is using the company you mentioned above and it has been a nightmare!!! They have been held up in customs for weeks with maybe an end insight the end of the month. We used INSA. Patricio is the gentleman who we worked with. I would highly recomend looking at them if you are not locked in yet. We were not required to pay any type of container deposit.
Louise ...do you mean the one mentioned in this thread? Relocation services? If so, thats the one I heard was being investigated. The reviews on the one we are using seems to get 5 stars.
Louise : Yes, that is who they used. It has been horrible for them.
Lena: I have to say, we sold all my husbands tools in AK, and have not been able to replace them all here. Even the more expensive brands seem to be junk, its like they have a "special" South American model that is made with cheaper materials! If we did it again, I would probably ship a container just for the tools, then I would throw in the washer/dryer, kids bikes, trampoline, all my fabric and all my appliances!
Louise: I would kill for a fabulous fabric store!!! And I sure agree on the S.A. special!!! We purchased a Whirlpool range and it is just about worthless.
Lena: Everything seems to be worthless, and only meant to last 2 years at best! Its all tin foil it seems If you ever find that fabric store let me know....I love fabric shopping. Where are you located Louise?
Lanz : We've noticed that, too. Even the cars you buy here seem to be a piece of junk. Most things seem to be made with inferior materials and even if they are a North American brand, the quality just isn't there.
Aly: I find that my expectations have changed since I've been there. I think I've become more of a minimalist by choice. I don't "need" as much stuff. I'd rather have less, simplify my life and be more
Suzanne: This here is from an expat about the time frame for getting your money back when shipping container first: I posted a question some time ago about how to get the "deposit" back from customs if you shipped your container first and then got your residence visa. We finally got all of our "deposit" after waiting for ~4 months. We did not make special trips to Guayaquil to get it or hire someone to get it for us. Ecuador is really teaching me patience. Just wanted to let folks know that it worked out just fine and that it is possible to successfully ship your household-goods container before getting your visa!
Suzanne: Then this is from our guy who is handling our container through Grace:
"Having told you that it should only take a week after arriving in Guayaquil, Ecuador customs has introduced a new computer system that wasn’t well thought out and has all kinds of glitches so all clearances have come to a grinding halt but especially household goods. I have a container being handled by Grace that has sat in Guayaquil for more than two weeks and one not handled by Grace that actually made it to Cuenca, had the physical exam but they won’t release it to deliver until the system says it can be released! Hopefully they have things sorted out by the time your container arrives…."
Margarita: They will probably charge you storage fees, something like $75 per day or something like that. Good luck, Suzanne.
Suzanne: They decided to keep our container on the ship....and go back to Balboa with it. This will allow time to fix the paperwork and get things right so it can enter port at Guayaquil and go through customs in Cuenca. Wow...what a head ache.
Leigh: Oh gosh Suzanne - that is strange and weird. Pardon my ignorance, but Balboa is where?
Gail: So sorry for the hassles. Makes me more convinced that I don't want to ship a container. We will take the minimum we can't live without and start over
Suzanne: We have 9 more days til it gets into port...hopefully their issues are ironed out by then.
Suzanne: with less corruption, adding on fees in other ways will be the norm. this process is so taxing
Suzanne: Well that is why I am posting all this so people can see what its like. The hassles are for the shipping company and the lawyer to hash out. But then we actually have a couple mistakes in our packing list. Soooo, if they notice it and want to go ape sh-t on us with fines...well, we are ready for it. I hope not....I hope its a friday and they are tired and just want to get it done with and go home.
Suzanne: Balboa Panama
Leigh: What type of mistakes, Suzanne?
Suzanne: Mistakes in numbering boxes mostly. And the number of items matching content...we had 212 boxes....furniture counts as boxes also. A pool table in pieces counting as one. All fairly stressful. We should have allowed another week or two to pull it off.
Suzanne: If we were in our right minds, we would have done better I think. The black mold poisoning really effected our minds, emotions and overall health. I have heard you can spend thousands replacing everything. Our things were fairly new so that didnt make sense to take losses in selling things, we already did as it is.
Jan: Does anyone ever ship a container BACK to the states? Or, in the unlikely event of not enjoying one's life on a new continent, what does one do with all of the things one has brought in a container. As a person who will arrive with darn little, I just wonder if GringoTree is the only avenue for acquiring used furniture.
Lena: Not much for used in Ecuador, they use it till it wears out here, then they might use it for firewood lol!
Any used sales are usually very expensive too, things really hold their value here......just look at the price on old junker cars, so crazy!
Suzanne: The container arrived in Guy last thursday and it only took 7 days for it to clear then get here. But, we ran out of cash flow to afford the taxes since the bank deposit hasnt cleared yet. The first 10 days being stored at customs in Cuenca is covered by the shipping deal. Then its 35 a day for 5 or so more days then 75 a day. Terry said its worth it to just leave it there for the time being til his proof of retirement letter arrives. Boeing would not hand write a letter stating he gets retirement from them but agreed to add a line or two and then hand sign it to notarize it. Then we will get it appostilled. Grace thinks the form letter isnt good enough...but so far she told us a couple things that were wrong. Like saying Terry couldn't open a bank account til he had his cedula. If we would have done it when we arrived, his 401k would be available to us now. We were told by the bank it takes 30 days to clear. I have read here that it takes 2 to 3 weeks. Hopefully its sooner than later.We did open an acct on Monday.
Merce:. We are going back to the US.....now live in Bahia. Brought a 40 ft container 3 years ago, and will be selling most of our household stuff....including a Baldwin piano. Also, 2 oceanfront apartments and a storefront bodega. We have been busy!!! We are now inquiring about a shipping company or cargo for taking back some personal items. Help !!! ,
Suzanne: Todays update has to do with the new implemented software system that is not working correctly. It does not calculate taxes or fees for household goods. Wonder why they didnt try this out before installing it? Found out this new software was made in Korea.
Suzanne: so.... we finally paid the guarantee, ie taxes.....but their new software is so new that we are the first people to attempt bringing in their container and having to pay taxes....and one big whoops is that their new software that took 2 weeks or more to calculate those taxes... (they forgot to try this software before implementing it)......well it wasnt set up at all to ACCEPT the money into the proper place either! they didnt put it in a passport account but a national ID account we dont have yet with our passport number. so the system spit it out. BUT...the container cannot be in this country past 90 days on its own. their suggestion yesterday since the problem is their software and we already gave them our 4900 plus 2000 for pos fees...is to deposit a new amount to then enter it into the account of the customs office to please the system.........like we have money free to do that right now (our savings transfer is lost in banking limbo)....coz they said it would take maybe 10 days to free up the original payment on the current deposit to start over with their temp solution. yikes. their other idea is that they just freaking fix their problem without due strain on us. when we did this the first time...it took them almost 2 weeks to then tell us they couldnt put our money anywhere thanks to the new software. so, we need a miracle today. we are the first expats in the country experiencing how lame the NEW software is.
Sherene: Wow Suzanne ,good luck with all this mess. You have a great attitude in spite of all the trouble!
Geri" So sorry you are going through this mess. Keep in mind, though, no one BETA tests in the US anymore either. go figure.
Attila: OMG!.... CONTAINER HELL... and the saga continues ?... My heart goes out to you. Best of luck.
I guess we should not have complained about getting out our two containers in about 3 weeks.
Suzanne: You can say that again. We hope they clear it asap before it passes the deadline of being accepted. I told Terry we will do whatever it takes to get it. You had 2 containers? Well the difference with ours is it being taxed, before residency. Once the software works, it shouldnt be a problem for others. The customs agent went to Guy to clear this up in our behalf. Sure hopes it works. What is frustrating is that they or the lawyer says we will call you back at 2 or 3 and we never heard from them, we always call them the following day.
Emails are below between us and Stephen:
Suzanne: Well we just found out that the container behind us just cleared. So, they figured out the problem but.....our lawyer has not called us with any good news yet. Grace said she will call when she hears something yet Stephen is the one who gave us the update. He has been very empathetic. The container being stored here is 70 a day.
Suzanne: From: Stephen Aron
Subject: RE: You are not alone!
It can’t still be a software issue, there has to be something more because the other couple with the Maersk container cleared their shipment under the same 40% duty payment that you are going through. Grace also sent me an email giving the go ahead for another shipment for another couple that will be entering paying the same 40% and she said in that email that all the software problems with Ecupass were now solved.
YAY!!!!!! we passed inspection today..............Grace and Nelson came through for us when we really needed them :) Jan 18
The inspector went through what seemed like 8 boxes or more. Many boxes were furniture items or plain to see what they were. They actually went to the back of the container pulling out heavy things like beds and pool table pieces etc. We told our lawyer to have them stop standing on the boxes since glass/china was in some. They complied. Only question by the inspector was the value on the 6 yr old Mac. It was very expensive but it was 6 yrs old and the tax value is supposed to be garage sale value. Our garage sale items only got good money with the guns. And, our lawyer's translator looking at our extensive list told us to revalue the items to bring the total value down to 10,000! Maybe because the (returnable tax) tax we had to pay up front was going to be so much (it was around 4500.00)
Suzanne: From Stephen: After checking your container arrived Guayaquil on the 29th. You do have 10 days free then $50.00 (not $45.00) per day for first five days then $90.00 (not $95.00) thereafter. So the Math is correct at $3,760 for 54 days total 44 in detention.
Stephen: Hi Suzanne, despite what you went through you did get through before the latest changes. They will now require each type of the household item to be packed separately by type of goods (not sure yet if they mean kitchen items or if kitchen utensils have to be separate from pots and pans!). Packages and boxes must be clearly named by type and numbered. The contents of each box must correspond to this single type and must be identified. The list must give the number of items per case/carton AND the weight in kilograms! I am still trying to find out when this will be introduced and I have warned the people we are currently working with but you might want to post this latest hurdle anyone else still in the process of packing.
From Stephen after I said it sounds like a nightmare for any new shipments:
Yes a complete nightmare I have people waiting for their residence permits with as many as 500 boxes packed ready to ship then out of the blue this, here is an email that makes it a bit clearer...
QUOTE
The new rules are a 30 page manual, I have just started to read, and is basically what we have told you so far.
This is not official yet, and it won’t affect any of the containers, that have been shipped already, but it will affect all of the containers that will be shipped once the documents are signed by the president Correa and released.
We can’t know exactly when this will be released and all we can do is guess, is ok to load that container today, but if the documents become official next week, if the next container is not loaded, then they will have to make changes in the boxes, and so will everybody else that has things in storage.
The category should be “kitchen utensils” . You have to list the amount of each, for example:
20 pots,
30 plastic containers
40 dishes
Detail its condition New or Used, unitary price and total price. Pack in one box only what corresponds to a specific category. Do not put a hair dryer in the same box, for example.
Living room is not a category. They need to put in each box for example 3 separate boxes for decorations, lamps and framed pictures each one with description of their condition (New or Used) with number, unitary price and the total price of each item and total price of each carton.
If one box contains books they need to specify how many.
The weight is only for the clothing, footwear and accessories. The limit is 200 kilograms per family member coming but no weight specification for other items.
The category and box number needs to go outside of the box.
No value limit.
UNQUOTE
ail that all the software problems with Ecupass were now solved.
Suzanne: From Stephen: After checking your container arrived Guayaquil on the 29th. You do have 10 days free then $50.00 (not $45.00) per day for first five days then $90.00 (not $95.00) thereafter. So the Math is correct at $3,760 for 54 days total 44 in detention. Stephen: Hi Suzanne, despite what you went through you did get through before the latest changes. They will now require each type of the household item to be packed separately by type of goods (not sure yet if they mean kitchen items or if kitchen utensils have to be separate from pots and pans!). Packages and boxes must be clearly named by type and numbered. The contents of each box must correspond to this single type and must be identified. The list must give the number of items per case/carton AND the weight in kilograms! I am still trying to find out when this will be introduced and I have warned the people we are currently working with but you might want to post this latest hurdle anyone else still in the process of packing.
From Stephen after I said it sounds like a nightmare for any new shipments: Yes a complete nightmare I have people waiting for their residence permits with as many as 500 boxes packed ready to ship then out of the blue this, here is an email that makes it a bit clearer...
QUOTE
The new rules are a 30 page manual, I have just started to read, and is basically what we have told you so far.
This is not official yet, and it won’t affect any of the containers, that have been shipped already, but it will affect all of the containers that will be shipped once the documents are signed by the president Correa and released.
We can’t know exactly when this will be released and all we can do is guess, is ok to load that container today, but if the documents become official next week, if the next container is not loaded, then they will have to make changes in the boxes, and so will everybody else that has things in storage.
The category should be “kitchen utensils” . You have to list the amount of each, for example:
20 pots,
30 plastic containers
40 dishes
Detail its condition New or Used, unitary price and total price. Pack in one box only what corresponds to a specific category. Do not put a hair dryer in the same box, for example.
Living room is not a category. They need to put in each box for example 3 separate boxes for decorations, lamps and framed pictures each one with description of their condition (New or Used) with number, unitary price and the total price of each item and total price of each carton.
If one box contains books they need to specify how many.
The weight is only for the clothing, footwear and accessories. The limit is 200 kilograms per family member coming but no weight specification for other items.
The category and box number needs to go outside of the box.
No value limit.
UNQUOTE
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SJB GlobalSJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
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