Initial move to the DR: How did you move and how did you move it?

Forget the motorbike, and buy one locally, even 150 or 200cc big enough.  Forget all those guns.  Just bring one or two suitcases of personal stuff.  Anymore ambitious and it will be a vail of tears.

kittenjuggler wrote:

I realize that after a 1 year residency is approved (stamped), I have 30 days to present myself in the DR.

Not quite sure what you are saying is correct.

The process is you get a residency visa first in your home country and once approved you have 60 days to start the residency process in the Dominican Republic to initially obtain a one year temporary residency. Depending upon what basis you are applying for residency you may have to go through 4 more renewals of temporary residency or go straight to permanent residency if you are applying through investment which can include retirement income.

You in theory should not be abroad if you are awaiting your first one year temporary residency to be approved.

You can ship your possessions with duty concessions once you have residency.

You can own a firearm here of restricted types only if you have permanent residency and successfully meet certain background and health checks.

You can't import the bike with your residency. 

You are able to import your personal and living items once residency application is approved. There are rules and restrictions.

And no you cannot bring any of your weapons. Even citizens cannot import their weapons. You buy them here.

Think carefully about what you need or want here. It's not cheap to send stuff here!  And much is not built for here, for our electricity issues and climate!

You have, with a very few words, saved me hours or days of time and who knows how much aggravation.  I remember you like latin dancing as a hobby.  If you happen to like fotos of the same (ballroom latin), pick any photos you like from flashtestdummy.com and you will get them free.  Thank you.

To leave anything I valued behind was the last thing on my mind.  But more and more comments are saying the same thing as you.  My mind is being changed, if not already.  I have a decent computer and laptop and some very nice amplifiers and speakers.  I sure hope those Vandersteens fit on the plane.

Thanks for the info.  30 days seemed unreasonable.  60 days sounds about right.  I have a few misconceptions that you clarified for me.  Is it true that I can not import, for example a Glock 34 or 48 that I already own, when the same model might be sold in the DR?  I was hoping to leave them here in Canada for a couple years, them bring them back to the DR after a visit to Canada.  Is there any information in english that spells out the whole process?  The DR embassy website for Canada, did not seem to cover some topics.  For example:  If I take several trips back to Canada after I receive my permission to live for 1 year in the DR, will it affect my subsequent application for the next step in residency?  Things like that.

You will not be able to import guns, period.

You can go back and forth honey without issue.

And you are very welcome!

All the guns are going up for sale.  Damn.  Oh well, it will free up a bunch of cash for the move.  I am hearing a lot of comments about selling everything.  A container move would make if faster and easier.  Selling EVERYTHING, takes time.  Also, many of those things I would need to repurchase.  After reading recent posts, I will be trying to sell as much as possible.  If the bigger items sell OK then I will probably follow up on everything else and try to move via multiple trips on an airplane, while making sure I am not out of the DR unil I get my 1st residency permission.

What is the general opinion anyone?  Did you move in a container or multiple suitcases?
And would you do it the same way if you had to do it again?

Every story I have heard of moving containers was: slow, expensvie, a big hassle on bother side, more on this one.   Best is to come with a couple of suitcases, and gradually buy certain things here, and you'll find you don't even replace most of it.  Worried about a breakin?  Forget the guns, do like others, get a machete, pitchfork, divers spear gun, etc.  In the street for ladrone and dogs, switchblade knives are legal and easy to get here.

I brought 2 suitcases, 1 box and one set of golf clubs with its bag!  No muss no fuss.

Nothing I miss at all!

We sold everything except some clothes and our dogs.  Bought 2 good bikes, and moved to the island.  Showed up with 6 suitcases, 2 dogs and 2 bikes.  Turns out, maybe one if those suitcases could have stayed home, and the only items we miss are large portraits of family and vacations that we couldn't bring o the initial trip.  They will come on subsequent trips, no problem at all.  The thing to keep in mind is this: a lot of North American and European articles are made for cold, dry weather (including me!).  The hot, humid Dominican weather will destroy most things not made for the Caribbean, and even those items don't last as long.  Save yourself the trouble, and buy when you get here. Unless your stuff is brand new or has sentimental value, it's rarely worth it.

Good suggestions.  I used to scuba dive (hope to again    )  yet never thought about a spear gun.  That should do it.  Also if blades are legal, I'll probably carry one in the car.

I guess I have to come to accept a few things.  After spending my valuable time working, I bought many things I hardly use and must sell them at a loss.  Therefore the mistake was made by purchasing, not from the resultant selling at a loss.  Selling most of that stuff will free my mind after the pain of selling it low.

Thanks for the advice.

You are brave.

If I bring that little, I would be crying the minute I got to the first flight.
So I might have to do MY VERSION of that.  1st flight with 4 massive suitcases, visit to B.C. Canada, 2nd flight with 4 massive suitcases....and maybe a 3rd flight.  After selling my sports car and guns, I will be in a delicate frame of mind.

Good advice. The humidity and salt air is a concern We are in the process of inventorying all possessions and trying to export as little as possible. One point of contention is electronics. We have electronics (e.g. hi-fi system) that would be hard to obtain in DR and not worth selling, so they will probably come. Our vehicle is being imported (yes I know the issues there) and with that a lot of tools and stuff to keep it maintained myself.

I understand the pain, I have a hand gun that I will sell here. I am not a big gun person but have it for emergencies (i.e. protecting the family). You kind of like knowing it is there. And we are getting an SUV shortly, which is not my thing. More of a sports car person. Sacrifices eh?  :0)  But, shedding a lot of this stuff is truly liberating! Can't wait.

kittenJuggler,

Love the screen name BTW.  I am not paranoid but pretty defensive minded. Given that I have a couple tactical knifes and pepper spray I will try to import. Other legal alternatives people have suggested include flare guns, stun guns, and bo staff or cane if you can use it effectively. The problem is as expats we have very few rights, so have to be extremely careful with defense.

I have  pepper spray,  stun gun and machete!  And soon I will have a dog again...

FYI, Never used any of em!

Switchblade knives are usually sold in hardware stores (ferreterias)here.  I bought a few for about $10-$20 each.  Not good quality German ones, but still OK.  I've seen the spear guns sold in those places too, and machetes, everywhere.  Some places sell MACE, maybe just in the capitol though.  In all likelyhood, you'll never need any of it.

my container shipment was easy... car and furniture.. lawn mower... u name it

In Canada, talk to Peralta Bros in Toronto/Montreal

You'll need to get the shipment to them from where you are

Don't shy away... there is a TON of paperwork for you.. lees for the goods

contact a freight forwarder...

Many people don't consider doing ''a TON of paperwork'', and its attendant stress, etc. as ''easy''.

I think you misunderstood....

The shipment is easy
Residency has the Ton of Paperwork.... use a lawyer

Thanks for clarifying.  I had misunderstood.