Moving to Puerto Rico Guide

What if you can live in a Caribbean island with sunny days and warm nights? Puerto Rico is a great destination for all who want to be close to the beach and enjoy the wonderful weather that the Caribbean brings! If you are thinking about moving to Puerto Rico you will need the basic information to help you understand what you can expect and how you can prepare. This guide will give you the most important things that you need to know about Puerto Rico – general information, taxes due, packing and moving directions and emergency phone numbers.

Moving to Puerto Rico – Facts and Information

Puerto Rico, officially “Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico” in Spanish, is an archipelago, not an island like many mistake it for, and it consists of several islands. It is neither a country, nor a U.S. state – it is a Commonwealth. The mistake is common here, too, because on the one hand the currency in Puerto Rico is US dollars, the educational system follows the standards of the USA, deliveries there by post and phone calls are charges as domestic; but on the other hand the majority of people speak Spanish, the measurement system is different (gas is measured in liters, distances in kilometers, etc.) which gives the feeling of a different country.

Working in Puerto Rico

If you still don’t have a job and you are looking for one have in mind that you may need to have a Certificate of Good Behavior – something different from the USA. Some companies in Puerto Rico may require it. This is the form – it is issued by the Puerto Rican Police.

Taxes in Puerto Rico

Definitely prepare about what you are due: Puerto Ricans pay a number of taxes: Social Security, Medicare, sales tax, import/ export tax of 6,6% (shipper’s export declaration is required to be filled in on this link) are just some of them. The latter you should be ready for before moving.

Puerto Rico Moving Guide – how to prepare

When you are planning to move to Puerto Rico start by looking for a moving company – this should be your first step. You can look for a reputable mover there – here is a list with Puerto Rican moving companies. On it you can read reviews and leave feedback about movers from that area. In order to find out the cost of moving try to have your costs estimated and after you receive feedback from moving experts make your choice. Beware of moving scams – if you get an unreasonably low price most probably this is the case. Always check movers for licenses and registration to make sure you can count on them. Once you make the right choice your move to Puerto Rico should go smooth.

Packing and Moving

While searching for a mover you are sure you can rely on, consider how to prepare with packing. If you are moving from a long distance state your moving will cost you more. One of the ways to cut your moving expenses is to search for cheap or free boxes. One of the ways for that when moving to Puerto Rico is to go for plastic boxes – they are easily stackable, strong and come in unique sizes that makes lifting and moving them much easier. Cardboard boxes always carry the risk of tearing or falling apart if they get wet. That exposes your belongings to damage and when it comes to long distance moving safety is one of the things that come first.

Since you are moving to a summer destination – pack your winter clothes first if you want to keep them because you won’t need them. What you can also do with them is donate them to a charity. In that way when you pack to move to Puerto Rico your luggage will be less which means less expenses for moving to pay for, too.

You can only leave a pair of clothes for the season that is in your area because you may need them on moving day. Take them and along with other basics to pack like toiletries and towels prepare an “open first” box and take it with you in your car during the moving. If you are moving to Puerto Rico by plane, remember the limits some airplane companies impose on hand luggage – always check the flight company requirements before packing your luggage.

Puerto Rico Emergency Phone Numbers

One last thing to know when moving to Puerto Rico – as moving to any far area, are the emergency phone numbers. Write them down and place them in the file with the rest of your moving documentation – take it with you and keep it safe. These are the most important numbers:

Police: 343-2020
Fire: 343-2330
Emergencies: 911
Ambulance: 343-2222
FBI: 754-6000
U.S. Coast Guard: 729-6770

This is the basic information you should consider when moving to Puerto Rico. Any moving question that comes to your mind can be answered – just ask the experts. If you have more information to add to this guide feel free to post it as a comment below!

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