Shipping to Hawaii

Moving to Hawaii may be an exciting venture you’re under-taking, but there are many unique challenges involved as well. One of those many challenges is shipping to Hawaii. Deciding what to take and what to leave and just how you’re going to get everything to your new home can be a feat in itself. Don’t stress yourself out over shipping to Hawaii, though. Proper planning and being informed are all that is needed in order to make a smooth transition.

Overview of Shipping to Hawaii The primary port of entry in Hawaii is found in Honolulu. It’s the capitol city of Hawaii and this is normally where you’re going to ship your things. Vehicles that are shipped to this port can be ferried to other locations, usually at no added cost. However, you may be able to directly ship it to the nearest port to where you’re moving.

Personal Belongings When moving to Hawaii you’ll want to pack as light as possible, especially with the rising costs of airline luggage. You’ll be able to replace a lot of things very easily once you move and chances are good you can find housing that provides all of your daily living needs such as cookware, furniture, and bedding. Of course, anything important or not replaceable should be carefully transported as part of your carry-on. This stuff would include passports, ID’s, birth certificates, family heirlooms, and photos. You have many options of getting the rest of what you need. Shipping to Hawaii can take three to four weeks, so plan wisely. For instance, if you don’t have housing yet, work out a plan with friends or relatives to ship your stuff for you at an appropriate time. This can save you money on storage fees in Hawaii. Fed Ex and USPS both can ship to Hawaii, but there are also companies that specialize in shipping to and from Hawaii. West Point Relocation is just one of the companies that are very familiar with Hawaii and caters to shipping to Hawaii.

Vehicles Generally, if you pay the excise tax in the state you’re shipping your car from you won’t have to pay any further dues in Hawaii. Be aware that if your vehicle has been purchased within 90 days of shipping it to Hawaii you will have to pay a Hawaii use tax. That is, unless you can prove that it wasn’t bought for the primary reason of shipping it to Hawaii. That’s also assuming you’re moving from another state in the U.S. If you’re shipping to Hawaii from another country, there’ll be a duty tax that has to be paid. This fee is governed by the United States Customs office. If you’re in the military you usually won’t have to pay a Hawaii use tax. Your vehicle shipping company should be able to clearly explain what you will and won’t have to pay, as well as anything else you need to know (extra laws for multiple vehicles, what you can and can not have in your vehicle when it ships, etc…).