Shipping and Moving to Roatan
What about all my stuff?
When you make the big decision to move to Roatan, especially if you will be moving here fulltime, many people want to know how to get all their things down here. Those of us who have lived here awhile all will agree, that you need to minimize what you choose to bring because:
1. It can be expensive. Moving costs, shipping costs, duty taxes, and the time it takes to inventory and pack your property need to be taken into account when choosing what to bring.
2. Not all belongings can survive Roatan humidity, insects and heat. Cardboard, plywood, pressboard, dry/antique/glued wood furniture, etc. are all things that do not fare well in Roatan. Termites and humidity see them as a feast, and they do not last.
3. Most homes don't have the same space, especially basements, garages and attics that your North American homes may have had. Most homes here are meant for a pared down, simple lifestyle, and you will discover you lose your need for all the "things"
Sometimes people will place their "coveted" possessions into a storage unit "back home" and make a decision a year or 2 later how they feel about those belongings. Most end up being sold, but some make their way over if they truly discover they miss them. Certain things are difficult to find on the island, like good tools, linens, lingerie, etc., but you quickly realize that other things are silly to keep, like jeans, jackets, certain lawn tools, and knickknacks.
Once the choice has been made on what you will bring, you can contact one of the several shipping companies on Roatan and need to coordinate with a customs broker. They will ask you to pack your belongings with a content sheet listing the contents of each box. You will get the belongings to their company in Florida where it will be placed on a pallet, logged and wrapped, then placed into a shipping container. It will then make it's journey onboard a cargo ship to the port in Roatan. Customs will then go through the list, inspect the shipment, and determine your duty taxes that you need to pay to take possession of your goods. You can then arrange for the shipping company to deliver your goods to your home. The entire process can take 3-6 weeks.