For many families from Latin America, moving to the US begins with a visa and ends with the question of what to do with the home left behind. Furniture, dishes, books, and children’s belongings either cross the border or get sold for next to nothing. In this article, we will explain how to make this decision calmly and avoid getting bogged down in customs paperwork.
Ship It, Sell It, or Leave It With Family
The first temptation is to take everything. However, shipping household goods by sea is far from cheap, and furniture designed for a spacious house in Medellín or Guadalajara simply might not fit into an apartment in Miami or New York. That is precisely why the decision should be made based on replacement cost rather than emotional attachment: what a replacement will cost in the new location versus what moving the original item costs.
A carrier who sees the full picture can assist with calculations. For instance, Elatemoving works with private, commercial, international, and government clients, starting every project with a detailed plan and an inventory of everything to be moved. The company’s website also features a dedicated section with customs forms, making document preparation noticeably simpler.
The Customs Form Nobody Mentions at the Consulate
When items travel separately from their owner, CBP Form 3299 must be filed, serving as a declaration for duty-free entry of unaccompanied articles. As a rule, household items that the family used abroad for at least a year and that are not intended for sale or transfer to others enter duty-free. In other words, a new sofa bought right before departure may incur customs duty.
| Item category | Customs status | Practical tip |
| Used furniture and household goods | Generally eligible for free entry | Keep photos or receipts that show age and use |
| Tools of trade and professional books | A separate free-entry category on the same form | List them apart from household items |
| Food, plants, and seeds | Must be declared and may be refused | Leave homemade food and cuttings behind |
| Alcohol and tobacco | Declared separately and may be dutiable | Keep them out of the container |
| Firearms and ammunition | Declared separately under strict rules | Check federal requirements long before packing |
An inventory list with clear descriptions and an estimated value for each box eliminates unnecessary questions during inspection. Thus, a neat list works on two fronts at once: at customs and during unloading at the new home.
The Last Mile Is Still a Move
After clearing customs, the container must be delivered to a specific address, where the international relocation turns into a regular move with its own elevators, parking, and time limits. For families renting temporary housing at first, deciding in advance where the items will wait is essential. We advise discussing the following with the carrier:
- Storage of property prior to moving into permanent housing;
- Professional unpacking and furniture assembly at the new location;
- A special care regime for paintings, family heirlooms, and fragile items;
- A convenient payment method, including cryptocurrency, if that matters to the family.
Such details might seem like small matters compared to visas and schools, yet they determine how calm the first few weeks will be. At the same time, the company states that 99.5% of its moves run on time, which is a compelling argument for a family living out of suitcases.
Keeping the Home You Left Behind
Not all items will have to go through the selling process. Giving some of your stuff to your family members will be wise to do, but family photographs and other documents must be saved in digital form before moving out. The documents themselves, along with diplomas and medical records, should always be packed into carry-on baggage instead of moving boxes. Speaking about children, it would be nice to include something familiar to them in the first moving box.
A Lighter Start North
Moving from Latin America to the US involves not just visas but dozens of decisions about possessions. A sensible choice of what to carry, a neat inventory list, and a reliable carrier save money and provide peace of mind. Either way, starting a new life is easier when the container holds only what is truly needed.
- Bex Smith
- Bex Smith