Shipping Wedding Items Before?

[divadivine25]

Has anyone shipped their decorations and other items to the resort before hand? Im planning to send most of my decor and welcome bag items down early May but would love some info first.

 

What was the estimated weight and shipping costs?

Would you do it again?

[kitty_kat_uk]

I'd check with ROR before you send anything, they may have storage issues!

[JUSTUSTWO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitty_kat_uk I'd check with ROR before you send anything, they may have storage issues!

I agree, I'd definitely check with Chandlyn first. Last I recall, she didn't accept shipments. But again, that was what she said in 2007/2008.

[Scott-Pierre]

Thanks for asking this question. I was wondering the same thing! If u email her, please post her response. Thanks!

[BeachBrideBeth08]

Thanks Maureen! I've been debating this too.

[Jacilynda]

I personally wouldn't do it. There are ALOT of things that can go wrong, and you don't want to go wrong for your wedding. Shipping is expensive, and you risk not getting it all together. I know we have alot that we are taking but the majority of our family is only checking 1 bag and you get 2 so we're just separating out our stuff in bags and having other people take it down for us, of course we are letting them know whats in it in case they get stuck in customs

[Tropical Imaging]

Advice from someone who lives in the Caribbean: Do not ship down.

 

You not only have to pay shipping costs and worry about storage, but in addition you will be responsible for customs import duties and clearing charges. (you may have to clear them in person as well) Most countries charge between 25% and 35% import duty on all items (unless it's a US territory like Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands). This is how most countries make their operating income. (Yes everything I bring or ship on island in my home/business/clothing etc I have to pay 35% duty to the government to bring it on island) If there is no invoice for the value of the items included with the shipment they can and will determine a value and it will not be to your benefit. Your items will not be released until these things are cleared and duties are paid. It will be a hassle for you and expensive to boot.

 

Your wedding coordinator is not going to want to take the responsibility or the expense and not to mention the amount of time (I could tell you many stories of hours and days spent getting things cleared).

 

Divide it up among friends, Pay the $100 fee for an extra (3rd) suitcase or two, you'll still come out cheaper. Hope that helps.

 

Krys

[Tropical Imaging]

Advice from someone who lives in the Caribbean: Do not ship down.

 

You not only have to pay shipping costs and worry about storage, but in addition you will be responsible for customs import duties and clearing charges. (you may have to clear them in person as well) Most countries charge between 25% and 35% import duty on all items (unless it's a US territory like Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands). This is how most countries make their operating income. (Yes everything I bring or ship on island in my home/business/clothing etc I have to pay 35% duty to the government to bring it on island) If there is no invoice for the value of the items included with the shipment they can and will determine a value and it will not be to your benefit. Your items will not be released until these things are cleared and duties are paid. It will be a hassle for you and expensive to boot.

 

Your wedding coordinator is not going to want to take the responsibility or the expense and not to mention the amount of time (I could tell you many stories of hours and days spent getting things cleared).

 

Divide it up among friends, Pay the $100 fee for an extra (3rd) suitcase or two, you'll still come out cheaper. Hope that helps.

 

Krys

[divadivine25]

Thanks for all the information, I didn't realize that there would be import duties as well. The plan was to ship the items to my grandmother and have her keep them until we arrived on the island IF this was the cheapest option.

[Tropical Imaging]

Definitely not the cheapest option and more importantly it will take up a lot of time. (Which you should be spending enjoying your wedding and resort )

 

There was a thread earlier last year about a bride who shipped a bunch of hand made items to Jamaica and had to spend a whole afternoon in customs trying to get them out, she didn't have an invoice (because they were hand made) and they wouldn't release them, it was a real nightmare for her. Of course if you are not familiar with import duties etc (as most Americans don't have to deal with that regularly), she thought they were trying to scam her etc. It certainly took away from her special vacation.

 

My husband and I have to pay duties whether or not we bring goods or ship goods because we are residents and at times it is cheaper to buy a plane ticket to save shipping and clearing fees vs shipping. As a tourist they don't worry about what you bring in your luggage as you will be taking it home with you, but if you are shipping it in it is harder to prove that it isn't staying in the country.

 

Airlines will allow 2 bags per person at 50lbs each bag(some are charging $15-$35 per bag). You can take a 3rd bag as well for $100, another 50 lbs. There is no way you could pay air freight alone for that weight and as an added benefit you have it with you. Once you check your bag at the airport it goes straight to your destination, problem solved.

 

Have a great wedding!!!! The guests will love their goodies!

 

Krys