Just moved here , and here is some advice

about how much does it cost - how do they figure it? Trying to decide to bring or buy.

Linda

Bill: We are looking for your moving report! Also enjoyed your VI 100 Club article this morning! Now that is settling in! When you win the Pulitzer, don't forget all the little people! 😉

Linda,

I don't know if this is the info you wanted, but I have posted it a couple of times before and hopefully it is helpful. We shipped our vehicle in August of 2004. Here is the cost breakdown for us:

$900/shipping
$350/brokerage fees (we hired them to take care of everything and deliver truck to us - we didn't want to deal with customs nor the DMV)
$701.76/road tax ($.16 per pound - our truck weighed 4,386 pounds)
$991/personal use tax (4% of the value of the car - not what you pay for it - I think they use Kelly Blue Book value)
$130/DMV title and registration fee

The $350 may have included the title and reg fee. I can't remember exactly. So I may have doubled some of the costs listed. Ours was a new vehicle and we got a great deal on it. In the end we still saved money shipping our vehicle rather than buying it on island. I don't know that our situation is the norm. I think it depends on how picky you are on what you want to drive on island. We were also glad to not have to do all the registration and customs clearing ourselves. It was one challenge we decided to avoid.

Teresa

Teresa,
Thanks - that was what I was looking for. Thanks for posting it again. I should have looked deeper.

Linda

The guy whom I used to take car of my car charged only $150. He went to pick up the car on Tuesday morning, and I was driving it on Tuesday afternoon. He even put the tags on the car, etc. Another coworker who just moved here was charged, I believe, $300 for the same services. Also, no matter what the shipping company you use tells you, do not pack anything in your car. Apparently, it used to be OK, but now it is not.
Look in the Islander for places to live. I found it a good source. I found a great apartment in Frenchman's bay that includes utilities. The biggest plus is that it has AIR CONDITIONING. Yeah, people say you get used to the heat, but I have been sleeping a lot better now that I have AC.

Hi Bill -

Glad to hear you're settling in well. Would you mind sharing the name of the person who picked up/registered your car for you? I am only aware of Lee from Managed Freight, and his quote for picking up/registering our Jeep and trailer was significantly higher than $150.

Thank you for the great info!

We need it to.....

Alix@secretretreats.com

Thanks! 🙂

Alix

Bill: It's the Island Trader! Glad you found a home. You are right, this time of year A/C is needed for sleeping, but by January, I'll bet you are like everyone else- freezing in 75 degrees!

P.S. Nice story again today! Keep up the good work.

YO! I just my truck and here is the breakdown. It's a 1999 Dodge Dakota 4x4 Built in the USA.

SHIPPING w/Tropical $1050
EXCISE TAX $297.06 (4% of Bll-Of-Sale from seller)
ROAD TAX $656.00 (.16 x 4100 lbs)
MOVING PERMIT $5.00 (one day only)
REG/TITLE $140

Need to make sure you have insurance to register it. My State Farm(stateside) worked. ALSO, if the vehicle is manufactured in Canada/Mexico it will be "another" 6% and European/Japan 3.5%. This should be on the inside of the door on the tag (most, but not all)...If not, check the VIN# the 1st character will Identify the country in which the vehicle was manufactured.
U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)

I have some free time, email me if you need your vehicle cleared and registered.
Steve
sqeeterz@msn.com

The guy's name is Kenneth Joseph. He owns KJ's Courier Professional Services. I have his card somewhere, but I have to find it. I will post as soon as I do.

His number is 340 771-2469.

RL

Much obliged to all! As always, thanks for the great (and extremely helpful) info!