Shipping Books to Costa Rica – Cheap!

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  • #183661
    xspire1
    Member

    I am hoping to send about 400 books to Costa Rica to donate to the public school in the Portrero area, Guanacaste. Does anyone know what would be the most economical method of shipment? I am shipping the books from Canada. Thanks for your assistance.

    #183662
    rf2cr
    Participant

    xspire1

    This is only a suggestion but there are service and charity organizations like the Rotary Club that have chapters in Costa Rica. Since these are usually business men/women they might have contacts in the shipping and political communities that could help you. You might contact the chapter closest to where the books are in Canada and see if they could help you.

    #183663
    xspire1
    Member

    rf2cr

    Thanks for the suggestion.

    #183664
    kimyoa650
    Member

    rf2cr,

    I replied to your question regarding the container you planned to use. Can you clarify where you are located? thanks.

    #183665
    rf2cr
    Participant

    Hi Kimyoa –

    Sorry, for some reason your reply does not show up on the topic. We are located approximately 15 miles north east of Palm Springs. We almost certainly will ship out of Los Angeles, but will pack the container here on the property. We will purchase a container so that we have it to use once we are in Costa Rica. It will go to our property at the lake where we will unpack.

    Right now we are trying to decided what to do, our first plan was to leave everything here and get what we needed in CR. BUT there are two major items to consider, 1) the boat and 2) the books I want to send.

    Having done it before I know that I can live without most things, but I NEVER want to go through having to read the same book for the 3rd, 4th or 5th time because that is all I have available plus I have a large number of expensive reference books for birds, plants and projects that we don’t want to leave behind.

    So – now we are looking at the container idea, but since we don’t plan to ship furniture probably won’t fill it.

    You can contact me direct at (760) 329-3083 or rfatacg@yahoo.com.

    Ruth

    #183666
    guru
    Member

    BUYING A CONTAINER:

    Talk to shippers FIRST: It is my understanding that personally owned containers cannot be shipped through US ports (without a great deal of difficulty). Containers must be owned by registered shippers and kept in their control. When a container is delivered to you to fill the container number, destination and date of shipping must be filed with the government. The container can only stay with you for a few days maximum. (According to one major shipper).

    Among the problems is that once in CR the privately owned container can NOT be moved by truckers. It can be done but there are questions of legality. So most turn down the job. Those that do so charge a great deal more for “the difficulties”.

    If you find out otherwise please let me know. I’ve researched this quite a bit and have had friends that shipped using personal containers with all kinds of complications. They said they would never do it again.

    The reason I was interested in this was similar to your need. I wanted to build in shelving units (customize a container) so that items were secure as well as accessible here AND as at the destination. I understood there would be extra costs (such as paying duties to import the container itself into CR. But I did not expect to be thwarted entirely by various rules and laws.

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