What to Consider When Moving to Uruguay
If you’re young and without a lot of belongings, you may consider moving to Uruguay with only the clothes on your back. But if you’re more established, chances are, you’ll want to bring some goods from back home.
This poses many questions…
Should you hire an agent in Uruguay to help you import your goods? Is there anything that you own that’s prohibited in Uruguay? What makes sense to bring with you and what makes sense to leave behind?
Good questions. And we’ll explore.
Finding a Shipping Agent
First, there are agents that can help you import some or all of your goods into the country.
Finding a good shipping agent is key to moving all of your household belongings and items that you want to make sure arrive safe and timely.
The agent can streamline the process for you and can help you cut through red tape – particularly if you don’t speak any Spanish.
Prohibited Products
There are many prohibited items which are banned from entering into Uruguay.
Mostly though, they’re the kinds of things you’d probably think might be an issue. For instance, guns, ammunition, and other weapons.
In order to carry a weapon for self-defense, you must apply to the Uruguayan Ministry of Defense prior to entering Uruguay. Otherwise, the items will be held by customs.
Deciding What To Bring Into Uruguay
What should I take and what should I leave behind? This is a tough question to answer as it’s highly situational.
Most brand name things like electronics are scarce in Uruguay and have to be imported, making them prohibitively expensive. On the other hand, many everyday items where you’re not concerned about brand can be much cheaper.
Considering that most Americans don’t drive to Uruguay (given the distance), most items you bring will have to be shipped in by boat. You’ll want to contact a reputable shipping company in this regard if you have a lot of possessions you want to bring.
Our recommendation is this…
If you know you’ll be staying a long while, sell or store your stuff in the US and start over in Uruguay. It’ll likely be cheaper in the long run.
Moving to Uruguay doesn’t have to be a long and hard process, you just need to set a plan and make the connections.
