Best Posts in Thread: FROM USA TO DUMA - MAKING AN ELECTRONIC LIST

hawk263 · May 27, 2015

nwlivewire said: ↑

Dear hawk263:

Thanks for posting this real-time experience piece of information. This is exactly the kind of stuff us "due to arrive" ex-pat wanna be folks need to know.

How did this situation work - meaning, what was the order of steps that happened?

I assumed you rec'd your SRRV with tax waiver first, but how did that shipping piece work in terms of what happened next and in what order?

Again, thanks for adding this good piece and a soon-to-be another good piece to this picture puzzle.

V/R,
nwlivewire
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Yes - you need to get the SRRV first. Then you fill in an application form for the importation - the PRA will advise on that.
If I remember correctly, you have 6 months from the issue of the SRRV to import your stuff duty free.
My UK shipping company put me in touch with their local agent in Manila (Goetz). I visited their office in Manila, gave them my contact details and location map and I'm pretty sure I had to fill in a form for the customs. I did NOT have to be present for the customs examination.
The whole process was pretty painless and between the PRA and the local agent, they guided me through the paperwork.
At the time, I was still working a 6 week on / 3 week off schedule in Oman, so you don't need to hang around the PRA office while all this happens.

hawk263 · May 27, 2015

Wrye83 said: ↑

1. Computer connected to high-speed cable/internet (if possible)

Internet is a problem in the Philippines. It will get you by but that's about it. Video chat is possible but streaming youtube can be slow going at certain times of the day (When the internet cafes start to get crowded).

2. Latop and thumb drives -same issues - same question as above.

Electronics are a bit pricey in the Philippines but not by much. You shouldn't have too much of a problem buying laptops or getting parts and accessories. There are several places in the mall that sell, or can order, what you need. Expect anything electronic to be about 10% more expensive in the Philippines.

3. Printer and ink - Do I even need to buy here in the States or can this wait?

Again, you should be able to find these no problem in the Philippines. You might have better luck buying a printer locally to ensure that they carry the ink cartridges.

4. All peripheral equipment needed to avoid getting them "fried" and dusty and anything else.

For a laptop I would recommend bringing along a cooling pad. It's not overly dusty in the Philippines so you shouldn't have to clean your computer more than you would in the US. A good surge protector would be recommended.

5. MagicJack - anything needed to go with this?

MagicJack is small enough to fit in carry on luggage. Bring it with you if you have one.

6. Flat screen TV

Flat screen TVs are significantly more expensive in the Philippines. If you are going to ship some stuff over I would recommend throwing that in the container.

7. OTHER????? Smart phone? I-PAD? Tablet? Something else?

You can find cell phone and tablets around every corner here (mainly Android phones). If you have Apple mobile products already I would have them unlocked through your service provider in the US and bring them along. I know nothing about Apple so it might be best to find out if they have the right radios in them (900/1800).

Question 1: If you want high quality surge protectors or batteries bring them along with you. You can find it here but things are more expensive. Same goes for any other type of high end electronics. Making things last in the Philippines is a task because of the unreliable electricity. You will have lots of brownouts (resulting in a lot of sudden on and off cycles). UPS are expensive and heavy but I think they might be worth the money. I'm not sure if you can find them in the Philippines or not. Maybe someone else can help out with that. (UPS=Universal Power Supply=A battery that will keep things on for around 15 minutes giving you time to safely shut down electrics)

The one thing I have had problems with is cell phone chargers. If you have a cell phone that takes an odd voltage/amperage charger bring a few extra along with you. Most everything sold here charges on .5A or 1A. I had a tablet that needed a 2A charger and it is not easy to find in Dumaguete (even at the store that I bought the d*mn thing from). For some reason the chargers (and cables) simply don't last long.

Question 2: Covered this above. If you already have it and you are shipping furniture/house hold items in a container then it's best to make room for the TV.

Question 3: This is a personal thing. I didn't bring anything with me (minus gaming consoles) and I have no problem living life. The biggest thing I see people complain about in Dumaguete is the access to Western foods. There are some items here and there that people ask for but they can usually be found in Dumaguete or have an alternative available locally.

I am aware of one expat that shipped his stuff over here through containers. He had some issues but I believe it did end up arriving. @filmguy is the member I'm speaking of, he hasn't posted for awhile but maybe this mention will get him to come on and share some information with you.
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I shipped a container from UK 3 years ago - duty free via the SRRV. It had to be cleared by customs in Manila before onward shipping to Dumaguete. From arrival Manila to arrival Dumaguete took about 3 weeks, but everything arrived in good order.

nwlivewire · May 26, 2015

TheDude said: ↑

I think you are over planning this. You will be living in Dumaguete long term, so get here with as little as possible and build up when you get here.

I'm a horrible person to ask though. I don't even have a TV. I'm using mobile data for my internet. I think a laptop and a cell phone are the only digital devices you need - get them when you get here.

I don't bother with surge protectors. I probably should, but work from many different places where I can plug in. I'm not going to lug a surge protector with me. I would rather just keep my stuff well backed up and my devices cheap to replace.

My next system probably won't even be a laptop. I'm eyeballing cheap Windows tablets with keyboards attached. MS has the Surface 3, but local cell phone providers have their own cheaper versions.

As mentioned, lugging a bunch of stuff is a pain. Find your apartment / house before you bother with bringing anything but the basics here. Then just get those items shipped or buy them here.

Personally, I didn't plan much at all. I had no idea what I was doing. I had a ticket into Manila and nothing more lined up than that. I had a laptop, backpack and small suitcase.

If I were to do it again, I would have just got a bigger backpack and left the suitcase.
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Dear Dude:

There won't be much I'll be shipping with me. But what little I will ship will be stuff I will need to use for "work".

My "job" as a student requires a few more items than just showing up with the clothes on my back.

And since I'm not Mrs. Got Rocks, I'm wanting to make sure my money is well spent and not over-spent on things that I will need anyway. Why over pay when I can get it done over here and in smaller, bite-sized spending chunks?

If I take some time to think this through and plan a little bit now, then I'll end up having more money in my pocket when I get to Dumaguete for other things I'll need as I get "settled in". I might even be able to rent a nicer place. Plus, I'll have a built-in "contingency budget" should I hit an unexpected speed bump.

If I were coming to Dumaguete to just "hang out", then I could likely do pretty much of what you're suggesting - backpack and clothes on my back - footloose and fancy free. Unfortunately, that's not going to work for me this time - though I suspect I will be in amazement at where I will be finding myself to be living these next three years.

It will be all I can do to stay focused on my studies as I know I'll want to go explore and go and do things. But the bit in my mouth from school will help keep me reined in.

Just wanting to set myself up for success and reduce the initial stress level that often-times elevates when someone makes a long-distance move to a place they have never been to or seen before.

V/R,
nwlivewire

Jack Peterson · May 26, 2015

nwlivewire said: ↑

PRA said 30-45 days -which seems ridiculously long considering the tourist VISA is only good for 30 days.
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Yes but then with the Visa waiver you get to 59 days. After that, you can Extend every 2 months for up to 3 years. So bags of Time.

JP

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Best Posts in Thread: FROM USA TO DUMA - MAKING AN ELECTRONIC LIST

hawk263 DI Forum Adept Blood Donor Veteran Army

hawk263 DI Forum Adept Blood Donor Veteran Army

nwlivewire DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer Blood Donor Veteran Army Navy

Jack Peterson DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Air Force