Confused about shipping.

Some shippers don't allow personal goods to be shipped inside a vehicle and some do so you would have to check with the individual carriers to find out their policy. You also need to find out what, if any, losses they'll cover you for if your goods are stolen during transit. Judging from reports, you stand a better chance of everything arriving safely if you don't ship via PR where it seems the majority of pilfering occurs.

And why would you try to get such vital information from a message board? If your shipper says the car must be empty are you going to argue and tell them they are wrong.

One of the differences may be containers. It is possible that a car loaded into a container may be filled with personal items. I strongly suggest you contact VI Cargo or Tropical and get a real answer.

I would guess that they shippers are saying that because of liability issues. Not only would you be running the risk of having the items lifted, it may be that there is a issue that they are worried about said items damaging the vehicle during transit....

Thanks for your answers. The only reason I asked this question on a message board is because I wanted someone to respond who has actually has shipped their personal belongings in their vehicles, because from all the posts I have read here they are saying you cannot. The families that I know who have shipped their things in their vehicles said that they arrived in order and good condition, they just had to be boxed and labeled inside the vehicle. I've lived on STX before and have had things sent through USPS and never got those items, so, as I see it, it is a crap shoot either way. Of course I would not ship anything that I could not live without or that I would be upset if it didn't arrive. I would like to ship some paintings in my vehicle and since they are combersome and large, it would be just plain easier for me to ship them in my vehicle.

Linda, maybe you have been on this board way too long to be of any help to anyone new asking questions. What is this board for if not to help new people moving to the VI? I'm not a dumb-ass. But, thank you anyway for your advice.

We shipped personal items in our truck through Flemings and only had a couple of things stolen. It was obviously a grab and go as they only took things they could see (camping chair, crappy tools and a mag light). If the shipping company says okay, then I would make sure everything is packed but I don't know that you would need to label anything. We labeled nothing.

I say good luck and trying Fleming. They will change you an extra fee but it was worth it for us.

Besides the theft problem it is a custom's issue. All the items in the car need to be cleared through customs and any applicable duties paid.

Linda, maybe you have been on this board way too long to be of any help to anyone new asking questions. What is this board for if not to help new people moving to the VI? I'm not a dumb-ass. But, thank you anyway for your advice.

That really wasn't necessary. The point being made is that, as noted, some shippers allow it and some don't so you just have to call around to the various companies who ship here to ascertain their particular policy. Linda gave you the names of two companies to approach and someone else gave you another so best bet is to start calling in order to get the current information directly from the source. Good luck.

OP seems to have first hand knowledge from someone who shipped goods successfully in their car yet she still wants others to confirm or deny it's OK. She gets some answers that don't support her position and makes untoward comments to those respondents who give her conflicting info. A perfect example of the old adage "No good deed goes unpunished".

Obviously, there have been some people who have shipped goods in their car and all was fine, others shipped goods and had items stolen while still others used companies who say it wasn't allowed.

The point being, is there is no one set answer to OP's question and even if she finds a company that allows goods to be shipped in the car there's no guarantee everything will arrive intact - it's the risk OP will have to take and as someone else already pointed out if goods are stolen while on route telling the shipping company the people on a "relocation forum" told her everything would be OK won't amount to a hill of beans. The goods still will be missing upon arrival. Likewise, if the shipping company says they won't allow personal contents to be placed in the vehicle telling them the respondents on the forum said it was OK also won't mean a thing. The answer will still be NO.

So, what's OP to do? Simple, ask the shipping different companies what their respective policies are and abide by their answers.

Sorry if I offended the OP. I have been on this forum a loooong time. So long that I know that "facts" can change at the drop of a hat. It is even possible that a shipping company will tell you over the phone that you can ship things in your car, and when you get to the port the staff there will tell you no. The only way to be sure is to contact the shipping company directly.

When we arrived on STX in 2003, we were allowed to pack our two cars to the window line. The specific information was clearly spelled out in our contract with Tropical. Subsequent to that time the rules changed and all that could be in the car was an owners manual and a jack.

But whatever you do, get it in writing.

Oh, let me add that every single thing loaded in the car made it to STX - TVs, computer printer, personal mementos, and even the McDonalds bag with the garbage from our lunch the day we dropped off the car!

Edited to explain that I accidently posted under Husband's log-in. Posting was by Linda J.

What are the shipping companies telling you? Have you talked to them?
In 2000 I was allowed to ship items in my vehicle. We used Crowley. Nothing was missing or tampered with.

Fairly recent report ... We shipped car from Miami via VI Cargo and personal items in the car were forbidden. We specifically asked and were told it was a customs issue. Car shipped by itself. Boxes shipped separately on same boat. I suppose one could argue it was a play for more money by shipping company (VI Cargo charges flat rate for cars), but I have always felt my dealings with VI Cargo have been fair.

Thank you for all the answers and expressing your experiences. I was only asking cause from reading this whole board I always ran into the answer that you could not ship items in your vehicle. Of course, I will not rely on what is said on this board over the policies of a particular shipping company. I was wanting opinions of the companies used and why, in the past on this board, was it always stated that you cannot ship items in vehicles when people have told me differently.
I feel as if now I have the perspective that I need from your varying opinions. I've lived on STX before and I know that the more homework one does before moving from the States, the easier it will be in the long run. Thank you for your opinions!!!

We just shipped a car a month ago via Sea Star. We did not need to ship anything but the car, however, they did have an option for $450.00 they said “we could pack the car full” .

http://www.seastarline.com/about/contact/

We just shipped a car a month ago via Sea Star. We did not need to ship anything but the car, however, they did have an option for $450.00 they said “we could pack the car full” .

http://www.seastarline.com/about/contact/

How much did it cost you and where did you ship it from?

Edit: Just saw it on the website, $925 from Jacksonville sounds pretty good.

We just shipped a car a month ago via Sea Star. We did not need to ship anything but the car, however, they did have an option for $450.00 they said “we could pack the car full” .

http://www.seastarline.com/about/contact/

How much did it cost you and where did you ship it from?

Edit: Just saw it on the website, $925 from Jacksonville sounds pretty good.

Make that $1300 all in and don't forget road tax:

The following Accessorial Charges from all Ports are not included in the amount listed above and will be shown separately on the Bill of Lading:

Accessorial Charges:

TAC — $40
Bunker Fuel Charge — $260
SED Filing — $75 ( Applicable on Shipments valued over $2500)

Exactly right .... $1300.00 plus road tax (.16 per pound)
Port Everglades to STX.

Thanks for all your experiences. This gives me a better perspective from which I can make a better decision. Again, I thank you!!!

Did Sea Star clear your car through customs for you?

i shipped my car empty per their instructions, gave them the key and the key chain was stolen. nothing fancy-a give away from either my sons school or a car dealership. go figure.

Don't forget to add the following to cost of shipping car.
Cost of custom clearance depends on manufacture of car and where made including parts. (if car or parts thereof are made in Mexico for US there is duty here to be paid as USVI has no direct trade agreement with Mexico) Call Customs to find out duty according to VIN.
Road tax
Pay for moving permit ($5) before vehicle can be moved from shipper's lot to inspection lane which closes at 2:30(?)
You need to get there, inspected and inside to pay before they lock the door.
Pay for Inspection, title and license.

Get a very early start or it may take 2 days to get this done as Road tax payment/VIBIR at other end of town from where your car shall be plus you must pick up paperwork at shippers, pay road tax, clear customs, and get moving permit before you can get your car from shipper's lot then run like heck back to motor vehicle dept. before they close for inspection.
Good Luck and be patient. Be sure to take water and something to read while you wait in lines.