KAR replied on Thursday, April 29, 2010 09:10 AM
I have just transferred my old household stuff (furniture, electronics and personal affects) to Pakistan from UAE and won’t recommend anybody to do that unless you are transporting something unique and dear to your heart. All electronics are available at almost the same price with local warranty and installation and so as furniture and other stuff. You can ship your personal affects (bedding, clothes, linen, crockery/cutlery, books, toys, etc.) as air cargo (according to weight door-to-door delivery), which is little less of a hassle.
Nevertheless, if you decide sending your stuff, do it by a container 20'or 40' depending on the size of the cargo and never ship stuff as loose cargo even if the items are less than full container load.
Check with embassy in USA; in UAE they have stopped giving TRs. You have to show your passport at customs in Pakistan while clearing goods. More importantly, please note, that electronics regardless of its age is still a dutiable item. So add a handsome amount in your calculations for duty which they will estimate.
Last but not the least; get a thorough quote for clearing things in Pakistan as well. It is a normal practice of packers and shippers to give you a quote till Karachi port without disclosing the clearing charges to be paid at Karachi, first to the shipping company for issuing the DO then to the local port authorities. I found these to be exorbitant. There is no harm in getting door-to-door quote in US itself for comparison and getting it verified by a local clearing agent in Pakistan (needless to mention whom you trust). Hope it helps... |
