Moving to Puerto Rico: The Complete Relocation Guide

Looking to move somewhere warm, sunny and colorful? Look no further than the picturesque unincorporated U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. The island’s vibrant capital city of San Juan features colorful Spanish colonial buildings, sweeping ocean views and a wide selection of restaurants and cafes. https://www.themoveme.com

In addition to the main island, Puerto Rico is made up of several smaller islands, including Mona, Vieques and Culebra. Throughout the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, residents and visitors will find beaches, waterfalls, mountains and even a tropical rainforest. Sound like the place for you? Keep reading for more information about moving yourself and your belongings to Puerto Rico.

What should I know about Puerto Rico before moving there?

Located in the Caribbean, the 3,500 square miles island and unincorporated U.S. territory of Puerto Rico is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and coastline.

According to World Population Review, the island has around 2,829,000 million people, making it larger than many U.S states. The website points out that if Puerto Rico were a full state, it would be the 29th largest in the U.S. The capital city of San Juan is also quite large. It is the most populous municipality in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

The island is broken into 78 separate municipalities, each with its own mayor and elected officials. As far as languages are concerned, new residents should familiarize themselves with Spanish, which is the primary language spoken in Puerto Rico. However, many residents speak varying levels of English as well.

How do I move to Puerto Rico?

Moving to Puerto Rico is a major transition, but a doable one with some due diligence, preparation, and finding a reliable international moving company. The logistics of relocating to Puerto Rico include obtaining proper documentation and learning (and abiding by) customs regulations.

To enter Puerto Rico, you’ll need to have the following documents ready, so getting them together ahead of the move is a good idea:

• Completed U.S. Customs form
• Power of attorney (original)
• Photo ID (two copies)
• Bill of Lading (this is not a typo)
• Inventory (signed by owner)
• Freight bill (signed by owner)

If you bring cats or dogs with you, they will need a health certificate. Issued at the point of origin within 30 days, the certificate must state that animals have lived in an area that has not been under quarantine due to contagious, infectious or transmissible disease. You will also need a rabies certificate issued within six months (only if the animal is over four months old). Birds also require a health certificate that must state that the birds were found free of psittacosis or ornithosis. https://www.ehomemover.com

When hiring an international moving company, expect to have answers to these questions:

• Establish the timeline: When do you need to be in Puerto Rico?
• Learn more about your real state plans: Will you be renting or buying?
• Determine your family/household size: Will you be moving alone or with your family? For business or personal reasons?
• Estimate the shipment size: What is the cubic footage of your belongings?

Shipping to Puerto Rico

Whether you’re using a moving container, a professional moving company or a package delivery service such as UPS or USPS to ship your goods, you should know that the process of sending items to Puerto Rico is similar to domestic shipping and moving. Given that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated U.S. territory, borders remain open, meaning customs clearance isn’t necessary for U.S. goods and shipments.

The only difference between shipping domestically and shipping to Puerto Rico is that extra paperwork is involved. The U.S. Census Bureau now requires an Electronic Export Information filing for each shipment to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands where an individual commodity exceeds $2,500 unless otherwise exempt from Federal regulations. All shippers can file this information online through the U.S. Census Bureau’s Automated Export System (AES). Shipments will also include a standard bill of lading with the declared value of items and a commercial invoice with a description of goods. Items are subject to an excise tax and must pass through the Puerto Rico Tax Department before being released and delivered back to the owner.

Also, keep in mind that your household items are subject to an excise tax and must pass through the Puerto Rico Tax Department before they can be released and delivered back to the owner. Items deemed non-essential will be taxed at a rate of 6.6 percent of the value declared by customers. Taxable goods would include most of your belongings, such as furniture, clothing, books, tech and telecom equipment, sporting goods, musical instruments, cameras, toys, electrical items, and more. https://www.allieddubaimovers.com

How much does it cost to move to Puerto Rico?

Okay, so you hired an international mover, now what? Next, get a quote for your international move. The cost of moving to Puerto Rico will vary considerably based on the cubic footage of your belongings and your proposed destination arrival time, so it’s important to get the most accurate quote so you can start budgeting for your international move.

When shipping household goods to Puerto Rico, is there anything I can’t bring?

Whether you’re using a mail carrier, a moving container or a moving company, be aware that certain items cannot be shipped or moved to Puerto Rico. According to the United States Postal Service, prohibited items include explosives, airbags, ammunition, gasoline, marijuana (medical or otherwise), narcotics, plants, livestock, endangered wildlife species and lottery tickets. Restricted items include firearms, alcohol and medication. Make sure to check with your specific carrier for additional restrictions.

How do I ship my car to Puerto Rico?

International car shipping involves figuring out how to transport a car overseas in a way that makes the most sense for your move and your budget. While it’s not cheap, it’s more cost-effective than buying a new car in most cases. You can check out Moving.com’s guide to international car shipping to start the process.

First, remember that many moving companies that ship household goods to Puerto Rico are not licensed to ship vehicles. Second, you’ll need to pay the excise tax based on the value of your car. You cannot have any personal items in your car while your car is in transit.

To transport the car to Puerto Rico, you’ll need several documents, such as the originals of the title and registration, a copy of your driver’s license, a copy of your Social Security number, your new address in Puerto Rico, a notarized letter from lienholder showing VIN, model and make, a customs form, and a certificate of compliance with U.S. Federal EPA and DOT regulations.

Getting your vehicle to Puerto Rico is only the first step. Next, you’ll have to get a driver’s license in Puerto Rico within 30 days of arrival and register the car. If you have a valid U.S. driver’s license, requirements for a license in Puerto Rico include an eye exam, a written exam and a fee. You can make an appointment with the local Department of Motor Vehicles called CESCO online to ease the process. The car registration will have to happen with the Department of Transportation.

What are the pros of living in Puerto Rico?

For many, the pros of living on this majestic island far outweigh the cons. If you’re trying to decide whether or not to make Puerto Rico your new home, check out these pros below.

• Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to year-round sunshine. Puerto Rico residents enjoy warm, wonderful weather throughout the year. Do you know what else this means? A very long and sunny Christmas season and flip-flops and sandals all year round!
• Are you worried about shopping? You’ll find many popular U.S. stores, such as Walmart and Costco in Puerto Rico.
• It’s a great place to practice your Spanish. If you’re looking to learn a new language (while also still being able to communicate in English), Puerto Rico is the perfect place to hone your Spanish-speaking skills.
• Puerto Rico’s ideal weather and abundance of attractions mean that residents can enjoy outdoor activities all year long. Popular activities include fishing, boating, surfing, biking, hiking and diving.
• Tired of paying taxes? Many individuals and businesses move to Puerto Rico to avoid taxation. Puerto Rico’s corporate tax rate is officially 37.5% but can be as low as 0% for some types of businesses. And a business-to-business service company that sells its services to the U.S can expect to pay a 4% corporate tax rate (compared to 21% in the States).

How much does it cost to live in Puerto Rico?

In general, the cost of living in Puerto Rico is considerably lower than in the United States. Numbeo reports that consumer prices are 5.4 percent higher in the U.S, rent prices are 133 percent higher in the U.S. and restaurant prices are 25 percent higher in the U.S.

Are you looking to rent or purchase a home? Puerto Rico has plenty of affordable options compared to the U.S. real estate market. Numbeo notes that the average rental price of a one-bedroom apartment in a Puerto Rico city is $582 per month, while the average rental price of a one-bedroom apartment in a United States city is a whopping $1,373 per month. The website also points out that homes in Puerto Rico cost around $170 a square foot. Compare that to the U.S. average of $330 a square foot, and you can see how much cheaper it is to own a home in Puerto Rico.

Any advice for moving with kids to Puerto Rico?

Moving with children isn’t easy – particularly when you’re moving as far away as Puerto Rico. For advice on moving with kids, check out these tips below. https://servicebasketuae.com

• Make a trip to your pediatrician’s office before moving to Puerto Rico. Children may need to receive certain shots and vaccines before the move. You’ll also want to research local doctors in Puerto Rico and have all medical records transferred.
• Research schools in your new home before the move. Keep in mind that many schools may speak Spanish as a first language. To enroll your child in the new school, contact an administrator for details and have all transcript records sent over.
• Visit the school and new city in person before the big move. This will give your family a lay of the land and help prepare your children for the move.
• Enroll your child in Spanish classes. While many people in Puerto Rico are bilingual, it doesn’t hurt to teach your child a bit of Spanish before the move. It’s also a great way to expand their minds and prepare them for the real world.
• Try to find other parents in the area who have also recently moved. Finding friends and playmates for your children will help them adjust to the move more quickly. In addition, a group of like-minded parents in your new home will be a great source of advice and guidance for you and your family.
• Help them stay in touch with old friends and classmates. Encourage your children to write, email and call old friends. This may help alleviate homesickness and feelings of isolation.
• Explore the island as a family and tour Puerto Rico’s main attractions. There’s so much to see and do while living in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. From surfing the waves to hiking in the rainforest, encourage your children to view the move as one big adventure.

What are the top attractions and things to do in Puerto Rico?

From the country’s unique architecture and vibrant nightlife to its picture-perfect beaches and lush forests, there’s plenty to see, do and explore in Puerto Rico. Several top attractions include El Morro, Flamenco Beach, El Yunque National Rainforest, Fort San Cristóbal, Calle Del Christo, Condado Beach and Museo de Arte de Ponce. Visitors and residents will also enjoy exploring Old San Juan on foot. The area’s colorful buildings and cobblestone streets are home to some of the best shops and eateries around.

Ready to move to Puerto Rico?

Planning an international move can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Thanks to our network of reputable and reliable international movers, finding the right company to handle your relocation to Puerto Rico is a cinch. We vet all movers for key certifications, capabilities and insurance. Under federal law, our movers are also licensed and bonded with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission(FMC), so you can rest assured that your move abroad will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!