- Puerto Rico International Moving Services
- How Much Does It Cost To Move To Puerto Rico?
- Moving Insurance
- Packing And Unpacking
- Moving To Puerto Rico Cost & Time Examples
- Puerto Rico International Moving Services
- Import Duty And Your Household Items
- Taxes Still Apply
- Penalties For Improper Filing
- Import Paperwork And Your Household Items
- Import Duty And Your Vehicle
- Creating An Account
- Tax Estimate Without An Account
- Import Paperwork And Your Vehicle
- Tips On How To Make Your International Move Easier
- Why You Need A Professional Moving Company When Relocating Overseas
- How To Find The Best International Moving Company
- Our Puerto Rico International Moving Services
- Why A-1 Auto Transport?
- Talk To Us

Puerto Rico International Moving Services
Planning to go overseas and settle in Puerto Rico? It seems like a very daunting task. Yes, it is. In fact, international moving is so complex. Indeed, a lot of factors come into play, making it much more complicating than hoping across states. For instance, you have to meet rigorous immigration requirements in some countries. Also, there might be occasional delays and technicalities with customs departments. Hence, most people opt for professional international moving services.
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Puerto Rico?
The cost of moving internationally to Puerto Rico can range anywhere from $2,000-$12,000 depending on various factors such as the route, size of the move, current market trends, total distance, and transportation method.
Moving internationally to Puerto Rico can be expensive, mainly due to several unexpected expenses you must bear. Hiring an International moving company is one expense you must bear, among other factors.
You might also have to account for other minor factors like purchasing new furniture, getting new appliances that fit the voltage of your new country, and getting new clothes for the weather. These factors might seem unimportant but bearing these costs make your stay in Puerto Rico more bearable. Other factors to consider are:
Moving Insurance
Inquire thoroughly about the insurance coverage your moving business provides and whether or not it meets your shipping requirements. You should also know exactly what is and is not covered by their insurance.
Avoid complete financial ruin in the event of cargo theft, loss, or damage by purchasing an insurance coverage for the full worth of your goods while they are in transit.
Packing and Unpacking
It is not all moving companies that charge for packing and unpacking. However, many do. While packing your items, you should ensure to pack in line with Puerto Rico's import policies as some items are considered forbidden and illegal.
Illegal items include weapons like guns, hard drugs, and other things you may not know, like certain plants or animals. Your moving company can also guide you on the kind of things you can pack. Allowing your moving company to do the packing and unpacking for you would be a good idea because it would save you the stress of packing, despite the expenses you'll have to bear.
Moving to Puerto Rico Cost & Time Examples
To/From | 2BR | 4BR | Estimated Time |
---|---|---|---|
Boston to Bayamón | $2,800- $4,900 | $5,400- $8,800 | 3-5 weeks |
Houston to San Juan | $2,900- $4,900 | $5,400- $9,000 | 3-5 weeks |
Philadelphia to Ponce | $3,100- $5,100 | $5,600- $9,400 | 3-5 weeks |
Detroit to Bayamón | $3,300- $5,500 | $6,200- $10,100 | 3-5 weeks |
Los Angeles to Ponce | $3,300- $5,600 | $6,300- $10,400 | 3-6 weeks |
Seattle to Bayamón | $3,300- $5,600 | $6,300- $10,400 | 3-6 weeks |
Portland to San Juan | $3,500- $5,900 | $6,500- $10,800 | 3-6 weeks |
Memphis to San Juan | $3,700- $6,200 | $6,700- $11,200 | 3-5 weeks |
Phoenix to San Juan | $4,000- $6,700 | $7,300- $12,200 | 3-6 weeks |
Denver to San Juan | $5,300- $8,800 | $9,600- $15,900 | 3-6 weeks |
*Please note that these estimates do not include taxes, customs fees & duties, insurance & quarantine inspections. They assume easy access to both pick up and drop-off addresses and do not allow for special items such as pianos.

Estimated Weight (based on home size): 1BR=2600 lbs - 3900 lbs 2BR=3900 lbs - 5200 lbs 3BR=6500 lbs - 9100 lbs 4BR=9100 lbs - 14300 lbs 5BR=11700 lbs - 19500 lbs
We are a professional international moving company that also handles shipping of vehicles.
Puerto Rico International Moving Services
Import duty and your household items
Since Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, it’s governed by the import rules enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). That said, according to the well-informed International Association of Movers, extra regulations may apply. This state of affairs isn’t unique to Puerto Rico, as other island territories of the U.S. have done the same - in an effort to safeguard their closed ecosystems.
In terms of the duty you’ll pay to bring personal household belongings into Puerto Rico, these can be waived if you meet certain guidelines. First, you must have purchased these goods a minimum of one year ago, and have been using them during this term. Second, customs requires you to have a non-B1 or B2 visitor’s visa, which permits you to remain in Puerto Rico for the long term (1).

Taxes Still Apply
Even if you obtain import duty exemption on your shipment, one reputable source asserts that you’ll still pay excise taxes on your household belongings (2). The current rate for this tax isn’t specified. For more detailed information contact the office of Customs and Border Protection in the city where your shipment will enter Puerto Rico.
Penalties For Improper Filing
Another possible expense you could face during the import process, is the penalty imposed for failing to provide the required Importers Security Filing (ISF) document. Your destination agent should handle this task, before the ship leaves the last port on its itinerary just prior to arriving in Puerto Rico.
If the ship will be stopping in the mainland U.S. before heading to Puerto Rico, it appears that the ISF must be filed before entering any U.S. port. If your shipment is leaving directly from the U.S., then it seems the ISF must be filed before the ship embarks (3).
However, these assumptions aren’t certain, and it’s possible that an ISF won’t even be needed in your case. To confirm the documentation required for your particular shipment, contact customs to learn more.
Import paperwork and your household items
A full inventory written in English is required, plus your passport and the ISF mentioned above. The Original Bill of Lading or Air Waybill for the shipment must be presented as well, along with Form CF-3299. You should also be prepared to show passports for every individual included on this form. A supplemental declaration is also necessary at the majority of shipping ports within Puerto Rico. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, then you’ll also need an I-94 card/stamp and a permanent resident card or visa (4).

Import duty and your vehicle
Although Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, U.S. citizens still must pay excise tax on vehicle imports (5). The exact amount varies, and you can obtain an estimate by entering the vehicle’s year of manufacture, make and model into SURI (Sistema Unificado de Rentas Internas) here. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is also sufficient for this purpose.
Creating An Account
SURI is Puerto Rico’s unified internal revenue system, which was created to make the taxation process easier and more streamlined (6). Be aware that you’ll have to create a new user account by entering your taxpayer information, such as your W2’s (and possibly your Social Security number) (7).
Tax Estimate Without An Account
If you wish to procure an estimate without creating an account, then visit this page on Puerto Rico’s Department of the Treasury website instead. To give you an idea of what you’ll pay for a late model sedan, $4,564.90 to $8,228.51 is the tax range for a 2018 Toyota Camry (8).
In terms of a pickup truck, the highest tax rate for a 2018 Chevy Colorado is listed at $5,445 (9). The specific rate is dependant on the sub-model (XE vs. SE for example), the engine size and whether the transmission is manual or automatic.
Import paperwork and your vehicle
Before your vehicle will be authorized to enter Puerto Rico, you must provide the necessary documentation. This includes the vehicle’s title and registration, a valid Import Permit (issued by the Ministry of External Affairs) and your driver’s license. The address of your residence within Puerto Rico and your Social Security number are also needed.
A Certificate of Compliance must be presented as well, confirming that the vehicle adheres to both Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency regulations. If the vehicle isn’t owned outright, you must show a notarized letter written by the holder of the lien. A commercial invoice is also mandatory paperwork, if you’re importing either a pickup truck or van. Finally, vehicles shipped from any nation besides the United States require EPA Form 3520-1 (10).

Tips on how to make your international move easier
Research: There is nothing as intimidating as moving to a foreign place. If you have never visited Puerto Rico before, ensure that you get information on the location to which you will be moving. For instance, find out about the local rules and regulations, culture, and practices. Try to familiarize yourself with information about your destination as much as possible.
Visit: If possible, visit your preferred location weeks if not months before the day of moving. Certainly, this helps to get a feel of the place and will make your transition an easy one. Also, try to locate essential service centers such as shopping-malls, schools, and hospitals.
Visa, passport and preparation: It is important to prepare these well in advance and avoid the last minute rush. When looking for Puerto Rico International Moving Services, look for a moving firm that offers help in applying for these documents.
You can also opt to visit the Embassy of Puerto website for more information. For your passport, ensure that you apply through the US Government.
Apply for jobs: To ensure that your transition is smooth, apply for jobs. If you are able to secure employment, it will give you the much-needed income and help you settle in.
A-1 Auto Transport can help you move your household goods internationally. Call 888-241-3110 to get a free, no obligation to buy price quote on interstate moving services.

Why you need a professional moving company when relocating overseas
As we have already established, international moving is a very complex, strenuous, and time-consuming affair. That being said, if you were to execute it by yourself, it is almost obvious that you will not do it well. Also, you will be at risk of losing and/or damaging your belongings.
This is the reason most people hire professional movers; because, they have the knowledge and expertise needed in offering overseas moving services. As a definite bonus, they handle belongings with care since they have the right equipment and trained personnel.
How to find the best international moving company
When looking for Puerto Rico International Moving Services, first do a search on the internet. Second, you can seek recommendations from friends and family. As you do so, kindly note the following considerations:
- Ensure that the company you settle for has been licensed.
- Ask if the companies have insurance that covers for damage on property during transit.
- Get customer reviews from the respective companies’ websites. More positive reviews mean that the company is a good option. Also, negative reviews help to give an overall picture of the company’s ratings.
- Compare the prices and estimates to find out which company offers the package that you want at the most affordable rate.
Our Puerto Rico international moving services
Included in our package is the following:
- Packing/unpacking: We help in loading and offloading belongings.
- Corporate moving: We handle the international moving of businesses and offices. This includes their relevant equipment and other assets.
- Apartment moves: We also handle international moving between rental apartments.
- Planning and preparation: We provide useful information to assist clients before and during the moving process.
- Visa and immigration services: We assist our clients in applying for visa and immigration services to Puerto Rico.
- Housing and family services: We offer assistance in locating suitable housing. We also offer help in finding family services such as schools and hospitals.
- Auto transport: We also take it upon ourselves to ensure that your car is moved safely from your current location to the new destination.

Why A-1 Auto Transport?
We have been in operation for more than 30 years. Indeed, we have the expertise required in international shipping. Our vast knowledge and resources are all you need if you are looking for expert information on international moving. We assure you that if you have any question, we definitely have the answer.
Talk to us
If you are planning to move overseas to Puerto Rico, kindly contact our experts on our toll-free number 888-241-3110. Also, don’t forget that you can get free estimates of our services by filling-in the form at the top of this page.
SOURCES:
(1) https://www.iamovers.org/ResourcesPublications/CountryGuides.aspx?ItemNumber=3558
(2) Found on Atlas Int’l “Importing Personal Property Into Puerto Rico” page.
(3) https://www.iamovers.org/ResourcesPublications/CountryGuides.aspx?ItemNumber=3558
(4) Ibid.
(5) https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Car-Talk-Think-carefully-before-taking-your-cars-1272014.php
(6) http://www.hacienda.gobierno.pr/sobre-hacienda/hacienda-virtual
(7) SURI Hacienda
(8) https://siscon.hacienda.gobierno.pr/Siscon/Portal/ARBAW955Form.aspx?isn=87714
https://siscon.hacienda.gobierno.pr/Siscon/Portal/ARBAW955Form.aspx?isn=89226
(9) https://siscon.hacienda.gobierno.pr/Siscon/Portal/ARBAW955Form.aspx?isn=96331
(10) Found on Atlas Int’l “Importing Personal Property Into Puerto Rico” page.
