Gregory T. Says:
I’m planning my move to Uruguay soon and would like to ship some of my household items. Do you have any advice for what I can and cannot ship?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Gregory,
You’ll be glad to know that you can have a shipping container of your household items delivered to Uruguay duty-free—a real benefit in a country that would otherwise have high import duties.
A resident in process may bring in, free of all customs duties (one time only): the furniture and household effects of their dwelling, in quantities commensurate with their needs, as determined by the customs authorities.
When it comes to bringing in household goods, Uruguayan customs is usually reasonable. As a resident, you should be able to bring most all furnishings from your previous home.
Things you cannot ship to Uruguay in your container include brand new items, firearms, lawn mowers, car accessories, trailers, motors or engines, water or pool pumps, explosives, aerosols, medicines, and cigarettes.
While you can bring appliances from the U.S. and Canada, it’s not recommended. That’s because the power supply in Uruguay is 220, as opposed to the standard 120 in the U.S. and Canada. While you can theoretically use a transformer with your U.S. appliances, there can still be issues. Additionally, if you buy appliances in Uruguay, you can get a warranty, find qualified repair people, and order replacement parts.
Hope that helps! And remember, you can get more details about shipping your goods to Uruguay—plus a whole host of other information on everything from visas to costs of living—in our Escape to Uruguay guidebook.
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