'Shipping your car' Life

Karen from Texas (Contact Member) -

I've always wondered how much it would cost if you were to ship your vehicle overseas from the States. Has anyone shipped their vehicle to Panama and how much did it cost?

Comment #1 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay (Contact Member) -

Shipping is often least of your worries... the import taxes which can be as high as 100% are your big worry. First what the tax rate is and second how they will determine the value of your car.

Comment #2 Jules from Vegas, baby (Contact Member) -

Wow! That is really expensive. You're probably better off selling the one you have now and buying a new one once you arrive.

Comment #3 Stephanie from Arizona (Contact Member) -

Well, unless you have a really nice vehicle it's probably not worth it to ship it, eh? What are the prices of new vehicles in Panama? Are they comparable to the U.S.?

Comment #4 Sweetness from Earth, the Universe (Contact Member) -

I moved from the Province of Ontario to the Province of Quebec and I bought the car in Ontario and paid taxes on it and when I went to register it in Quebec I had to pay the taxes on it in Quebec again.

HOWEVER, after I did that I applied to the Ontario government for a rebate of my taxes that were already paid on the car and they returned my money.

I'm sure that most countries are the same. If you take your car to another country and transfer the plates over to that country you can then apply to the country you left for the taxes that were paid there as the car is no longer a part of that countries system.

I would check that out before panicking.

Comment #5 Dar (167.80.246.204) -

Shipping your car to Panama is not too bad if you ship it with your things in a container. You are given $10, 000. duty free. Also I have been told that once you get it there, getting a license for the car can take a year. Google: Living in Panama and Duty in Panama.

Comment #6 Ralph (63.176.159.239) -

when you get a container, how big is it..

Comment #7 Stan (63.176.159.105) -

how much do containers usually cost? are the import taxes included?

Comment #8 Rhian (63.176.159.50) -

better sell your wheels rather than to ship it with you. There are many legalities to be considered that may consume your time a lot. Not to mention the costs it will take for the shipment.

I bet you have the guts to buy a new one in Panama because you are open in paying shipment fees for your car, well unless the car your talking about is a pro.

Comment #9 cwemoy (63.176.159.232) -

I agree that shipping would be very easy but most people end up spending a lot in import taxes. In most countries, it is common to find a lot of vehicles at the port with the owners not laying up claim for them.

The size of a container would vary depending on what you have got in there, right?

I googled this link!

• duty in panama

Comment #10 Dar (167.80.246.204) -

The average container is 40 feet. It will hold the average household furniture. You can get a 20 foot if you only have boxes, and a little furniture. With the 40 foot you can take several boxes and a fair amount of furniture. We are using a 40 foot and will be putting living room, dining room, 3 beds and 2 dressers 4 night stands. Also paintings, one big tool box and a lot of boxes with kitchen and bathroom stuff and clothes. We will be buying a car down there. We have been told it can be a nightmare to license down in Panama. We also are not taking any appliances as they are brands that will be hard to work on down there. We are building a home and will purchase our appliances down there. LG seems to be the best and easiest to get worked on if needed. Again, the info has come from Expats living there now. When purchasing a car down there, you will want to stay with foreign, as that is what the mechanics are use to working on. Toyota seems to be very popular with Expats. SUV's are what you will want to buy if you are going to live in the highlands as sometimes it can rain pretty good and they are easier to get around in when you have a downpoor.

Depending from where you are going to ship, and if you are going to have someone handle it for you, you can spend up to around $7, 000. for shipping. Some less, some more.

Comment #11 Linda (63.176.159.175) -

If you want to locate car shipping, auto transport, car moving, and auto shipping companies that provide car shipping services to Panama, you and your car have come to the right place. Our Auto Shipping Directory lists car shipping companies to suit your specific needs and links you to web pages of car shipping and auto transport companies worldwide.

Our Directory as well includes Truck transportation services that use quality drivers and provide safe, convenient and reliable deliveries in Panama.

This is the company's claim..hope this site help you in your shipping problems..

• panama.shipping-international.com/auto-shipping/

Comment #12 Terry (24.69.141.243) -

I could use a third or half of 20 ft container. Is it ok to share a container with someone else. I like to ship personal stuff from Seattle, Wa or Vancouver, BC to Panama, Rep. of Panama. That could bring down the cost! Anyone interested? dancaoal@hotmail.com

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