Chile Forum

Patagonia Sur wrote:Hola,Are You Sure Those Telephone #s Are Correct? Called And Could Not Complete The Call!!! Thanks Tommylimo!! If You Have Any Other Info On Shipping A Car I .E. Fees!!! I Would Greatly Appreciate It!!! Thanks Again !!
I have shipped my household goods allowance or "menaje de casa" in a 20 ft container from Long Beach to Valpo (using my temporary residency visa), as well as a few 40 ft containers with vehicles in them and I can pass along some info to you that willl hopefully be helpful.
The shippping company I used is called Able Cargo located in Los Angeles. I used them for every shipment and they were excellent. Professional, helpful, and efficient in every way. There rates were very competetive.
The guy that helped me every time is named Mike and I think he is the owner. I cannot post a link so you will have to look them up.
The customs agency I used from Valparaiso was also an excellent find (I went through a few before finding them). They are called Ultramar and the extremely efficient and helpful man that I went through every time is called Reinaldo Haase. I cannot recommend him enough. His english is ok. He walked me through every stage and was always upbeat and enthusiastic through all the redtape. He also new everyone and was respected by all.
Im not sure if im allowed to post the number for Ultramar but it is (32) 202-840 and Reinaldos cel # is 9-331-4743.
I am not too sure about the legalities of using your one allotment of "menaje de casa" as regards the time frame of you receiving your visa. The actual shipping of the goods can be done at any time. Once the boat arrives (you will get a call telling you the boat is in port and when it is scheduled to unload) you only have a few days to clear your goods without incuring additional storage fees.
The more detailed the inventory the better, but having said that mine was not that accurate and I left out many things ( I actually wrote up the inventory on the customs form after I had packed the container so was guessing). Also since I was entering the goods as "menaje de casa" there is no tax to be paid so they didnt go through the stuff very thoroughly. They only opened a few boxes and were fine with that. They looked on the inventory sheet and tried to spot some of the items listed like "18 ft ladder" ("Wow que lindo cuanto te costo?"), stereo system, computer, etc. I had shipped some Ikea wood furniture so the SAG (an agricultural govt. entity) had to inspect those goods. And as they were treated wood products they didnt spray them, just signed them off.
I did not have any serial numbers, nor did I pack like items together. I actually shipped 5 used tires that were almost new and I had laying around my house. Everyone that saw them told me shipping used tires into Chile is a no no. reinaldo told me they would take them immediately and probably search the rest of the stuff more thoroughly because of that. The inspector looked at the tires and said its illegal to ship used tires into Chile. These look pretty new so I will let them go but dont do it again.
All in all it was not a very traumatic experience. I showed up at Reinaldos office at 10:00am and left with the goods in my rented van at approx 6pm. Had a nice lunch in town too!
I hope this is helpful.

Ps