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This is a tough question.  I wish I had an answer for you. 

When you large HOW LARGE?  Can they fit on your carry on or luggage?

Hello,

About your question collections usually cause trouble with customs but depending in what kind of collections.
We deal with stamps and coin collections and had no problem but once, one client want to bring his clock collection and it was kind of complicated to avoid paying taxes for most of them, finally the problem was solve, but due the moving was stopped for some weeks, the client has to pay extra on harbor.

Exactly, what're beads, I don't know exactly the meaning.
And how much you have?  In quantity or volume.  If you bring it with you or by ship you have to make sure in advance you have the right paperwork for it.

Vinny

Just take everything with you on the plane.  Even if you have a bunch of bags the cost will be minimal compared to a shipping container.  You should have no problems. And the Vitamix is a must!

Hey, Mila1

you got me at my weak point - beads...

i will have the same problem

want to PM me and talk more about this

denise
charlotte nc

Thank you all for your responses.

Themiddleoftheworld, as to how large is large, I just weighed and measured a couple of my storage containers to get an idea and large equals 500 pounds and 30 cubic feet.

vinny66, beads are objects with holes in them used for jewelry making. Sizes, shapes and material varies.  I have tiny antique metal beads I got from a old stash in a back store room in Paris.  Some are old Africa trade beads, 500 yr old Tibetan turquoise, hand made glass beads, metal and semi-precious stones and some contemporary glass seed beads.  Like I said, I'm a long time collector.

Luna2, I liked your idea of bringing them in my luggage but as you see the weight and size makes this not possible.  I think I will sort through and separate out the most valuable and non replaceable ones for in my luggage.

dmgcats, I will answer your PM. Being a fellow collector I'm sure you understand why I don't want to part with them but as you see, we're talking about greatly different quantities.  I've walked into many store with smaller inventories than mine.

Any suggestions on where I could find out what is allowed to be brought into the country?  Or is like many governmental issues where you get a different answer depending on who you ask.

All in all, we aren't bringing enough stuff for a 20 foot container.  We have about 75-100 cubic feet all total but the total weight could as much as 1000-1200 pounds.  Has anyone had experience with shipping pallets?  Do they stay intact after custom goes through them?

Maybe there's someone out there from the south (I'm in Atlanta now) who would be interested in sharing a container or could let me piggy back with theirs?

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

my email address is

denisemic@bellsouth.net

denise

Hello Mela,

500 pouns is a big weight for bring it as part of your luggage. An also maybe the customs agent who maybe check your lugagge is not going to have a clue about what is this for and in so big quantity and maybe is going to give you trouble.

Too many "maybe"

I think the best option is to bring it in a pallet if you are planning to bring more items.  Is not a big amount and you can get a good price.

I can help you with information, procedures and moving companies so you can have a clear idea about your moving. Let me know.

Vinny

Mela1, I do not know you or your housing arrangement when you will first arrive in Ec, but 500 pounds of beads?

I know how you feel. I've had to make really tough choices when I decide to leave. Certainly, that collection of yours could not be duplicated, but to bring it with you, or have it shipped, would imply to rent an apartment or buy a house upon arrival. Since a 'collection' is made of separated objects, could you drop the 'collection' and be more selective, and gain more freedom in the process?

'The past is like and anchor holding us back. You have to let go of who you are to become who you will be'

Give it time

That's a good quote, and worthy of some serious thought.  I have over 200 cook books that I am struggling with getting rid of in order to move overseas.  My thought was to pick out my 50 favorite ones, look through them and pick out my favorite recipes in them, and scan those into my computer and save it on a disc.  Beads, of course, would be another issue indeed!  I used to own my own macrame' business in the 70's and also made necklaces to sell as part of my line. I did have some awesome one-of-a-kind beads that I cherished.  So I know where she is coming from, but I guess it is a decision only she can make.  Downsizing sucks, especially when you have an awesome collection.  My husband collects Griswold pups made out of cast iron and used for paperweights, worth several thousands of dollars, and he is going to have to sell at least most of them before we move.  He is having a hard time with that, also.

Very good suggestions. I also have a very large cookbook collection and have started doing like you and storing my favorites digitally. 

As far as my beads go, In the past I made my living designing and teaching. I haven't done it for some time because other work got in the way. One of the things I'm looking forward to in retirement besides travel is being a creative person again. I've really missed that part of my life.

I'm letting go of all my other possisions (except clothes and a hand full of kitchen items) but my beads are a big part of my retirement that I'm looking forward to.  I think I will try to sort through them with a more discerning eye and try to reduce it some. If anyone comes up with a good idea for shipping them, I would appreciate it.

Vinny66 that would be great if you could direct me to a moving company.  I contacted one here in Atlanta but they don't handle household goods internationally. All the others only deal with 20 or 40 foot containers. I was thinking a pallet also.

Does anyone have details about using a pallet?  Do you (1) determine the size of it and (2) do you have a box/crate made to fit the pallet?

Thanks

Know what you mean - I've collected these cookbooks for years, thinking that I'd be able to sit and browse through them and look at all of the lovely pictures, and plan my meals at my leisure, then off to the market daily to buy that night's ingredients... never thinking that it would be in Ecuador!  And that it would cost an absolute fortune to ship all my cookbooks there, not to mention where to store them when we got there.  I'd just get it down to the barest minimum that you can live with and go from there - I know how you feel about getting rid of everything - and many things we loved!- and feel that some things just need to be given preferential treatment!  LOL

Gals,
I'm not trying to oversimplify this issue, and I realize the cookbooks have a tactile and sentimental value, but....
have you considered on-line menu venues? ( cute, huh?)
I know I go on-line and find a ton of really great menus, and meal ideas.
What with the costs involved in shipping, you might want to consider the alternative, along with down loading the really great ones you already have as you suggested.
Just think about all us poor guy's that have to leave our precious tools and sporting gear at home.
Good Luck,
Neil

Hello Mela, I will send you a message through the expat email.

Dmgcats, I will send you one too with info about pallets.

And if you're worried about storage I'm going to have one in Cuenca for rent, I'm planning to have everything ready this week.

Vinny

I know, I know, I know, Neil!  And whenever I need a recipe, I DO go online to get it.  But there's something about sitting down and looking at all the pictures that inspires you... and you don't get that online somehow.  Cookbooks are for planning... Women will know what I mean.  Maybe its a girl thing.  At any rate, at least I can get my collection down to a few discs.. now what to do with her beads!

This topic has been thoroughly discussed, but at least one possible solution has not been mentioned. When you receive a permanent visa, you will have a period of time to import your personal possessions duty-free. Now, what is a personal possession is up for debate (all things are up for debate in Ecuador).  The Ecuadorian mind will not grasp the idea of a 500 lb. collection of beads. They will not judge; just be confused. They will think something else is going on.  If, early in the process of getting your permanent residency, you mention this often, you may be able to get an exception for these beads. I assume you will use a Lawyer to help since your Spanish is not fluent, as you mentioned in your profile. In that case, the lawyer can be of great help. But, it will still cost plenty to ship. Also, keep in mind that things always change. You may be told you can bring them in duty-free and when they get here; you will have to pay duty. So, this makes a lawyer even more valuable.
As far as other things to bring: Good appliances are not easy to come by here, and something like a vitamix is essential to bring. Electronics here a super expensive, so bring those too. I know, I really want a high-end masticating juicer, but didnÂ’t bring one with me. Now, I deeply regret it.

As far as taking things on a plane: With LAN, you get two 50-pound bags. If you are overweight or have more than two bags, you will be flagged and inspection is much more likely. So yes, they can be quite lax with the normal amount and weight of bags, but more than that is iffy. I travelled with a friend who had 6 bags, and she incurred $800 in extra fees (no arguing) – a definite ouch. One more thing with planes: If you enter the country with LAN, but then transfer to, say Tame, to continue on with an internal country flight, the bag limits will change. Note, you will probably have to claim your bags upon entry and then take them to Tame to check-in again. Tame only allows one bag at 40 pounds. You will then be charged for overweight and over-limit. You want to make sure you mention this and have your bags pre-check on the other airline when you first check you baggage. Many airline clerks forget to do this and it is hard to resolve if it is not done up front. In Ecuador, rules are rules and exceptions out of courtesy are not common. In other words, customer service in Ecuador is very different than what you may be use to. It is usually not rude; just the attitude that my hands are tied. Always smile and things will go okay. Get nasty and you may receive a perhaps unwanted lesson in Ecuadorian culture.

I'm moving with my son and I want to bring a lot of his toys and a lot of books since I know it will be harder to come across English books and that books are quite expensive in general in Ecuador - and then of course there are clothes, personal items, some small appliances and electronics etc.. I think I could easily end up with upwards of 10 pieces although I have not really worked it out yet.  And so I am looking for options and advice.  I don't know anything about the deal with customs and duty - I just assumed if you were going on a trip you could bring luggage with you and this would be like a lot of extra luggage - so do they just check your belongings if you have a lot or is the issue that they think you might be trying to set up a business there?  I am not trying to argue with the system, I just don't understand why you would have to pay extra to the country to bring your belongings (save if it were a car or something else worth a lot of money)

It might be very difficult or impossible to manage everything by flight with me (and very expensive to ship by container) - has anyone got experience or ideas about shipping by air by cargo?  My idea would be to ship most things in advance of my own arrival.

Someone mentioned if you get permanent residency you can avoid being charged duty - but then you would have to go back to your country to move things at a later date, wouldn't you?  Wouldn't it be better to just ship it all at once?

Thanks!

Hello Datdyat,

I already send some info to Mela y Dmgcats about moving.
I'm going to send you a private message with some info about your questions.

Vinny

Thanks Vinny!