Shipping Household Goods to Portugal
An Essential Guide
International relocation to Portugal can be a life-changing decision, but you need to do a lot of work beforehand to make your dream a reality. For instance, house hunting in Portugal should be at the top of your moving checklist, and no matter how many moving tips you've memorized, it is one of the most challenging tasks for an expat.
Once you’ve found a place to live in Portugal, the next thing to do is plan a safe and effective way to transport your belongings. It can be a daunting task, but we’re going to provide you with all the essentials you need to know for international shipping.
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Getting Started
Whether you are packing your life up into checked bags or shipping a full container, the emotional and financial toll of getting your things to Portugal is high. But once you make a few decisions about how you want your move to go, things will fall into place a lot easier.
Understanding the ins and outs of international shipping will help you avoid making costly mistakes on your journey to a new life in Portugal.
Decide Between Different Portugal Shipping Options
If you are like us, you may decide to simply pack all the belongings you'd like to take in luggage and pay for the extra cost to check them into your flight abroad. We used these canvas bags which held tons more than a typical suitcase and still complied with airline size regulations.
If you have less than a shipping container worth of goods, you may decide to use a company like UPakWeShip. They allow you to ship pallets and/or crates abroad without the cost of shipping a whole or half container.
If you're bringing an entire house of goods to Portugal, you will most likely need to arrange to ship a half or full container. There are several companies who can arrange this for you, so you'll need to do your due diligence to find the right company for your needs.
Considerations:
Do I want door-to-door service or will I arrange for drop off and pick up separately?
Do I want air freight or to ship on a boat?
Am I able to get to a major shipping port like New York, or will I need to find an option for smaller regions?
Am I shipping from an EU country or outside the EU from somewhere like the United Kingdom or New Zealand?
Do I want to pack my own things or would I like packing services?
Choose a Reputable Shipping Company
First and foremost, find dependable international moving companies that have experience in handling international shipments. They’ll ensure that your belongings, including your car or other freight, arrive safely in Portugal.
You can do research by checking online reviews or asking for recommendations from friends and family who may have experience with international shipping services. You can also check a company’s credentials by visiting the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) website.
Among many options available in the United States, A-1 Auto Transport is one of the most seasoned shipping companies with extensive experience in transportation domestically and internationally.
Understand the Shipping Process and Contract Thoroughly
Reputable companies won’t take advantage of customers. However, some companies may try to deceive or exploit customers who are unfamiliar with the process. This is why you need to understand your protection and rights as a consumer before shipping your vehicle and goods.
Here are a few pointers on what to anticipate from your shipping company:
Obtain a Written Record of Everything
As a consumer, you have the right to be informed about what you’re purchasing. When you receive a quote from a shipping company, make sure to obtain it in writing, along with all the details of what the company will and won’t do, the delivery process, and the payment process in the contract.
This will help you prepare for the entire transport process before your household belongings and/or vehicle are moved. It also serves as a reference point for any future disputes or misunderstandings. By obtaining everything in writing, you can safeguard yourself from any potential issues down the road.
Don’t Pay Until You’ve Signed the Contract
You have the right to change your mind about using an auto or container transport service before you sign a shipping contract. Paying for these services before signing the contract means that you may end up wasting money on something you may not use, getting less than what you need.
To avoid this, finalize all the contract details and ensure you understand everything before signing and making a payment. Once you pay for the transport service, it can be difficult to change or cancel. So, take your time and be sure before committing to anything.
Prepare for Unexpected Circumstances
Anyone who has had to cope with an unexpected natural disaster can attest to the importance of including language concerning this in the contract. Although some companies may already have this information in their documents, it’s always a good idea to address it in the contract process.
Natural disasters often happen unexpectedly and can significantly impact transportation schedules, so a customer should know how the company handles these situations.
Get Quotes From Different Shipping Companies
Getting quotes from different shipping companies allows you to compare prices and services offered. This will help you make an informed decision on which company will best address your needs. When requesting quotes, provide accurate information about the items you’re shipping and/or vehicle, such as their weight, size, and port of departure and arrival.
Prepare the Necessary Paperwork
Transporting a container and vehicle overseas has a whole new level of transportation complexity. The process and paperwork for international shipping are distinct from domestic shipping due to the need to cross borders and comply with unique logistical regulations.
Your shipping company should be able to help you with the logistical paperwork necessary to get your car and belongings into the country (but not with the personal paperwork such as passports and visas) and advise you of any restricted items, etc.
Portugal moving requirements to import goods through Customs include a Baggage Certificate (Certificado de Bagagem) which you can obtain from your local Portuguese Consulate. This will be issued BEFORE you ship your goods and includes an itemized list of items shipped, so it's important to take care of this as early as possible.
The Baggage Certificate must state that all the items are used and more than 6 months old and state that the owner has been living in the origin country for 12+ months.
Other key documents to prepare may include a vehicle or car registration certificate, photo ID, proof of auto insurance, legitimate proof of sale, the vehicle’s certificate of title, bill of lading, Department of Transportation (DOT) forms for safety compliance, and power of attorney (POA) document.
The documents for international shipping may also include an inspection report of the vehicle to ensure that it meets all the minimum requirements for shipping. Before the car leaves the shipping company’s parking area, it will need customs clearance forms and any additional documents the destination country requires.
Choose an Automobile Shipping Method
In general, there are two methods to transport your vehicle overseas: containerized shipping and RORO (roll on, roll off method).
Containerized Shipping
This method uses standardized containers to transport your goods or vehicle. It offers several advantages, such as ease of loading and unloading, damage protection, and improved transport security. It’s a common method for transporting goods across long distances.
However, containerized shipping is relatively high in cost and it’s prone to delays at ports due to congestion or inadequate infrastructure.
Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO)
RORO is a method of transporting vehicles by driving them onto a specialized vessel. It’s more efficient and cost-effective as it eliminates the need for cranes and reduces the amount of time and labor required to load and unload cargo. RORO is typically used to transport cars, trucks, buses, and heavy construction equipment.
Prepare the Vehicle Before Shipping
After deciding on the most suitable shipping method for your needs, it’s time to get your vehicle ready for the journey.
Here’s a to-do list that you can follow:
Remove all personal belongings and clean the vehicle.
Have the engine checked to ensure it’s in good working condition.
Fold the mirrors and remove the antenna.
Disable the alarm.
Take out any items that may become loose during transit.
Check the fluids, battery, and tires.
Keep the fuel level to no more than a quarter of the tank.
Before shipping, take pictures of any pre-existing damage to the car, and inform the shipping agent about it.
Shipping vehicles overseas takes more time than domestically, so it’s better to manage your expectations regarding the delivery timeframes. Delivery time for containers and vehicles typically ranges between 10 to 20 days, depending on factors such as season, transport company volume, and port of arrival.
A Stress-Free Way to Move Your Car and Household Goods Abroad
International vehicle transport services offer a cost-effective solution for those who need to move their vehicle overseas. Nevertheless, you need to properly prepare your car for shipment and take steps to ensure its safe arrival at the new destination in Portugal.
By learning about the international shipping process, you’ll be able to avoid common mistakes and have a smooth and stress-free experience when moving your car abroad to Portugal. Finally, with the right preparation and understanding of the process, you can enjoy the convenience of having your own car in your new and exciting location.
In Conclusion
Shipping household goods to Portugal can be stressful, both logistically and emotionally, but with the right support and international shipping expertise, you can navigate the process smoothly.
FAQs
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If you are shipping from anywhere in the EU, then you have more options and less paperwork to contend with as you do not have to import your goods through the Portuguese Customs Department.
If you are shipping from outside the EU you will have to follow the necessary steps to comply with the Portuguese Customs Department, including obtaining a Certificado de Bagagem (Baggage Certificate) from your local Portuguese Consulate before shipping your items.
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Costs vary widely depending on the method of international shipping used, the amount of goods shipped, and the timeframe you need. Expect to pay $200+ per extra checked bag if you’re bringing extra luggage on your flight. If you’re shipping an entire container costs can run upwards of $10k+.
Shipping pallets, crates and boxes will cost somewhere inbetween.
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Cost and timing.
Shipping by air is much faster, but will cost a lot more, plus you can ship more by boat in general.
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This is really a personal choice. If you love what you have and can’t envision your new life in Portugal without it, then by all means bring it.
If the prospect of buying new stuff excites you and you want to start completely fresh and new, then sell, donate and trash what you have and wait to get new things once you’re here.
I personally couldn’t stand my old furniture, etc. so we got rid of everything and only brought what we could fit in about 16 suitcases.
Move to Portugal
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