International Moving Company to Puerto Rico

When you move to Puerto Rico, you will want to engage the services of a company experienced in shipping household goods.

Although Puerto Rico is still an island over 1100 miles from the closest point in the US in Florida, your personal belongings will be moved on a ship. Though this is a domestic move and not an international move per se, it is still an intricate move with many steps more than a typical relocation from one state to another.

You are encouraged to use the services of an international mover licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission. This US government body regulates sea freight companies and ensures that you will be getting fair service. SDC International Shipping is licensed by this commission; our license number is # 02238N.

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a very attractive destination for Americans. Most importantly, Puerto Rico is a part of the United States. You don’t require any visa or special permission to move there. You can work there, retire there, or purchase a second home as you please if you are a citizen of the United States.

Puerto Rico could even be considered a tax haven by some, and there are taxation reasons you might want to make San Juan or Condado your permanent residence while maintaining your old home as a second residence.

If you speak Spanish, you should not expect any problems on the island, as it is comfortable and considered safe. If you don’t speak Spanish, you will probably prefer to move to the nearby US Virgin Islands, where English is spoken, but you will be able to enjoy the same weather and tax advantages.

GET A FREE QUOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL MOVING

What to Know Before Moving Household Goods

There are no restrictions on what you can and cannot bring to Puerto Rico. As an integral part of the United States, whatever is legal in the US is legal there.

You are moving to a tropical island, so ensure that the furniture and equipment you are sending are appropriate.

We are sure you are moving to Puerto Rico partly to enjoy the tropical weather. So we recommend sending along whatever you will need to facilitate this. While you can get a lot of things on the island, the selection available to you now is greater, so you should send appropriate things like furniture, grills or fire pits, and equipment for an outdoor kitchen if you want it.

One of the things that you should keep in mind is that when moving to Puerto Rico, your cargo will be sent by sea, and much movement should be expected on the journey. We recommend that you use our professional packing services for your move.

Our international household movers are experienced at packing fragile items to reduce damage as much as possible. Special packing materials are used, depending upon what you are sending. For instance, if your shipment includes mirrors or framed art, our movers will bring moving boxes.

If you are sending items that are breakable or of particular value, we will build customized crates for them. Please let your SDC International Shipping relocation specialist know about this so that necessary supplies will be sent when our movers come to pack your belongings for shipment.

The professional packing service is a prerequisite for purchasing international moving insurance against damage to your property. You can get marine insurance against the total loss of your shipment.

As the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a part of the United States, there are no customs charges. Your shipment will not have to pass through customs clearance, but it might be x-ray inspected.

You might be charged the Puerto Rico sales tax for certain new items you send. In such cases, you should be able to have any sales tax you paid in your state of origin refunded.

You should provide a Health Certificate issued within 10 days of departure.
Pets should be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before flying.
The best practice for your pet is to have basic vaccines and be microchipped.
Important: If you are sending a dog, there are a few breeds that can’t be brought
For more information about Puerto Rico pet import, visit the USDA website.

We can arrange safe pet relocation from the US to Puerto Rico – guide you through the process, from paperwork and regulations to travel logistics.

You are allowed to send your car to Puerto Rico. Almost all makes and models can easily be serviced there, so you can send yours instead of selling your car and buying a new one in Puerto Rico. If there is space, you can send it in a container. Most cars take up over half the room of a 20’ container, so in some cases, you can send a 40’ container instead. This is more affordable than using a special car transport service.

Below find the list of documents required for Puerto Rico car shipping:

Bill of Lading
Lien Holder Authorization letter
License
Your Passport ID
Power of Attorney if another person delivers and picks up the vehicle.

The cost of moving to Puerto Rico varies based on the size and volume of your goods, origin/destination, and services chosen.

You can contact one of our representatives to get the most accurate cost. We’ll discuss the details of your move and create an accurate quote so you can plan your international move. To get started, you are welcome to fill out an online quote form.

While Puerto Rico is not a tax-free country, it does offer significant tax incentives for U.S. citizens and businesses under specific conditions. Through Act 60 (formerly known as Acts 20 and 22), you may qualify for a reduced tax rate of 4% on income earned from Puerto Rican sources. To benefit from these incentives, you must become a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico, which typically requires living on the island for at least 183 days per year and meeting additional residency criteria.

Although these incentives can provide substantial tax savings, U.S. citizens are still required to file a U.S. federal tax return. However, certain income earned in Puerto Rico may be exempt from U.S. federal taxes if you meet the residency requirements.

I Am an American. How Long Can I Stay in Puerto Rico?

As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico is part of the United States. Therefore, U.S. citizens do not need a visa, ESTA, or any special permit to stay or live there. You can move to Puerto Rico and stay indefinitely without any restrictions on the length of your stay. The 90-day rule you mentioned applies to travel to foreign countries under the Visa Waiver Program, not Puerto Rico.

What Are the Reasons Not to Move to Puerto Rico?

Like any location, Puerto Rico has its pros and cons. Here are a few reasons why someone might choose not to move to Puerto Rico:

Hurricane Risk: Puerto Rico is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, which can cause significant damage and disruption.
Higher Cost of Living in Some Areas: While some parts of Puerto Rico offer a lower cost of living, others, especially tourist hotspots, can be relatively expensive.
Infrastructure Challenges: There can be occasional issues with public infrastructure, such as power outages and limited internet connectivity in certain areas.
Limited Job Opportunities: Depending on your field of work, job opportunities may be limited compared to the mainland U.S.

What Are the Top Destinations for Living in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico offers a range of desirable locations to suit different lifestyles. Popular destinations include:

San Juan: The vibrant capital city, known for its historic sites, beaches, cultural scene, and urban amenities.
Condado: A popular neighborhood in San Juan, offering a beachfront location with upscale amenities and a lively social scene.
Dorado: A luxury community known for its golf courses, resorts, and gated communities, ideal for those seeking a more exclusive lifestyle.
Palmas Del Mar: A resort community on the east coast featuring various amenities, including golf courses, marinas, and a relaxed lifestyle.
Rincón: Known for its surf culture, laid-back vibe, and stunning sunsets, Rincón is a favorite among surfers and beach lovers.
Humacao, Rio Mar, and the West Coast: These areas offer a mix of local culture, natural beauty, and community living, providing options for those seeking a more laid-back environment.

SDC International Shipping can move individuals and families from any California city. Please see below the top origins in the USA:

Los Angeles
Houston
Sacramento
Seattle
Las Vegas
Atlanta
Boston
Miami
And more.

No matter where you are in the USA, we can arrange a service that assumes picking up your household items, transporting them to the nearest ocean port, and delivering them to a final destination.

You have probably visited Puerto Rico many times and already know where you will live.

Some of the things that you start doing before your move include:

Downsizing – if you are moving permanently, start disposing of things you don’t need early. Things like furniture left behind can be a pain to eliminate at the last minute.
Supplying – if you are setting up a second home, get whatever you need to supply it. This includes full sets of cooking and dining equipment, bathroom and bedroom linens, and household tools.
Health insurance – the health insurance in Puerto Rico is a little bit different than the rest of the United States, they have something similar to universal health care coverage, but you still need to pay. Your overall cost will probably be less than what you are currently paying. If you plan on maintaining a second home, consult your current health insurance regarding coverage while living in Puerto Rico.
Make sure you have all the right clothing for a tropical climate. You will not require any winter clothes.
Your mobile phones will continue to work in Puerto Rico, and you will likely not have to switch plans. However, you will be looking at different internet and TV service providers. ATT services the whole island, but most clients will be shifting to new service providers. Make sure that you cancel or transfer your contracts.
Schools in Puerto Rico teach in Spanish, even though English is taught to all ages. If you are moving with school-aged children who don’t yet speak Spanish, you will need to register them in special English; you should try to make early arrangements, as places are limited in these schools.