oladulce - 5-19-2009 at 11:34 PM
Any suggestions or experiences with companies that provide Import broker services and transport of household goods to BCS? It will be a mixed load of
our household items and building materials (solar panels, batteries, windows).
We won't need a large (semi) truck and will definitely require the services of a broker for importation.
Thanks
LOSARIPES - 5-20-2009 at 04:55 AM
My experience with "Columbia Exports" San Diego-La Paz was terrible 3 years ago. They stole lots of stuff: Lamps, garden tools, canned food, clothes.
I filed a complaint and they blamed the customs officers (dead end).
They did make a refund for a full box missing but it was minimal.
Bob and Susan - 5-20-2009 at 05:42 AM
my choice in san diego...
i just imported 50 boxes 4 months ago...
truck shipping was about $300 to mulege (partial truck)
import fee is based on the value of the goods
the broker will consolidate the orders...import...and ship
the truck will drive rigt to your location on the beach
oladulce - 5-20-2009 at 10:09 AM
Thanks Losaripes- it's just as valuable to know who not to use.
Bob- We called Miramar but when we mentioned a Menaje, they referred us to someone else. We'll call again and ask about their services for new items
and ask if they will handle the import of our used items without a Menaje.
We're trying to determine the best , and least expensive way to transport our "household" goods (very little furniture, tools, welder, washer, etc)
along with new items that we will have to pay import duty on. Also comparing a Menaje vs importing our used items.
A few companies we've called will combine a Menaje de Casa load with a batch of new imported items, but they will not take them across the border in
one truck. These companies have warehouses in TJ and combine the shipment on the other side of the border.
All of the new items we'll be importing we won't need for a year or more since the house isn't even built yet. Windows, some doors, special energy
efficient fridge, dishwasher, water saving toilets, more solar panels... But once we move to BCS, we won't have a US home base to order, gather, and
arrange for transport of these items.
The estimates we've gotten so far have ranged from 35%- 50% of the value of the load which covers the broker services, insurance, and trucking.
This is the best company so far and comes highly recommended by one of our neighbors. http://www.lopezpage.com/index.html Family owned and operated, personalized service, secure warehouse on the US side if you need to store items
for a few months, and their rate was only 30% of the value of the load.
But, after their first trip to Punta Pequeña with the neighbor's load and the 12 mile stretch of dirt road, they refuse to allow their trucks all the
way in again. They stop at the pavement near La Purisima junct and the load has to be transferred to other trucks the rest of the way. ay yay yay