What every Returning residents to Jamaica should know.

Are you moving to Jamaica as a Returning Resident?

It has always been the norm that no matter where Jamaicans roam ,they always return home,  and with good reason, notwithstanding some of the difficulties faced , Jamaica still remains a beautiful place to live.

But there are a few things you need to do before, during and after your decision to move back to Jamaica.

It could mean the difference between an extremely harrowing experience and a smooth transition.

Criteria for Returning residents to Jamaica

  1. be a student (at least18 years old )born in Jamaica and has studied abroad for at least one year but not exceeding three consecutive years
  2. be a  Jamaican who has renounced his/her foreign citizenship, can prove that previous status, and wants to move to Jamaica to live.
  3. Be a Non-Jamaican whose is married to a Jamaican Returning Resident.
  4. A Deportee who has lived abroad for the most recent 3 consecutive years

its important to note that a couple – husband and wife- will get only one concession if they return together or within three years of each other.

Ok, so now that you have decided that you fit one or more of the criteria above, here is what you need to do to follow through with the process:

If you want to claim your benefits under the Jamaican returning residents program, you must ensure that you get the “yellow” returning resident concession form at the airport immigration or customs station. Once you have that form, you need to visit the Jamaica Customs Agency Returning Residents Unit located at Myers’ Wharf, Newport East, Kingston 15, and submit the following:

    • Valid Jamaican or foreign passport with the unconditional landing endorsement stamp
    • Validated Bill of Lading or Airway Bill for the items being imported (you would get this from the shipping company or  freight forwarder who is handling your shipment)
    • Jamaican Taxpayers Registration Number (TRN)
    • Proof of foreign of 3 or more consecutive years.
    • Returning Students will need a transcript, student’s I-20, letter of attendance from last institution of study and the institution’s identification card.
    • Deportees will need their Deportation Order and case file.

    It is important to know that you may receive Returning Resident concession ONLY ONCE.

If for any reason you find that you must leave Jamaica to reside abroad, after you have already benefited from the Jamaican returning resident concessions, you may not receive the concession upon your return.

There are very few exceptions and these require very detailed records and reports, such as:

  • You are consistently being relocated in the service of your country
  • You have very specific diplomatic immunity
  • Your job requires you to travel and spend extended time (years) abroad

If you will be taking your personal effects and returning with them, you should ensure that this is documented on all of you shipping documents before they are shipped out of the country. Take care to keep your copies of the documents, as you will be required to produce them when the items are being re-imported.

If you are requesting special exemptions from import taxes or duties, you must write to the Ministry of Finance or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, depending on the reason for the request.

Need Help? Why Not Contact Us CLICK HERE

Returning Residents to Jamaica Entitlements

You are generally entitled to at least one or one set of standard household items.

The table below gives an overview of some of your entitlements under the Jamaica customs Act

ITEM ENTITLEMENT
Television set 2
Video Recorders 2
Component Set
including compact disc player set
1
Refridgerator set 1
Microwave Oven 1
Stove 1
Dishwasher 1
Washing Machine 1
Dryer 1
Air Conditioning Unit 1
King Sized or
Queen sized bed
1

The list above is not complete but merely an outline of the Jamaican Resident Entitlement.
For the full list Click here for Entitlement

Personal motor vehiclesThe age limit on personal motor vehicles for import is five years. There are, however, some concessions for returning residents. For more information, click Trade Board Limited, which is responsible for granting Import Licenses for motor vehicle importation

.Pets and Plants
Before importing your pet(s) and/or plant(s), you will need to get an Import Permit from the Veterinary Services Division and/or the Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry Of Agriculture.You may also visit Jamaica Customs website www.jacustoms.gov.jm for additional information

Finding a  house or buying a lot in Jamaica

Coming home means having somewhere to live right?well while some returning residents seek to buy a house many choose the route of building one, that way one can build something which suits their taste and often times it is much cheaper to build than to purchase a house.

There are many  challenges associated with doing that so it is not for the faint of heart . it also helps if you have some knowledge of the construction process because if you dont you stand the risk of spending much more than you should (contractors are not known for honesty).

Indeed  a friend once remarked “you can remove the word thief from the dictionary and replace it with the word contractor and nobody would know the difference”.

 

Well whichever route you choose here are some tips and recommendations :

When purchasing your property make sure you use a reputable  attorney or real estate agent to act on your behalf especially if you are not present in Jamaica. many times family members arent the best option especially when money is involved  (there are many horror stories)

The real estate agent will ask you a couple of questions or ask you to fill out a questionaire so as to determine your preferences and budget

Finding the right home within your budget

Kingston suburbs tend to be more expensive than out of town or in rural areas and it is highly unlikely you will find an empty lot available.You will however find many houses for sale prices can range from JA$20m (US$153,000)  to JA$45m (US$350,000) depending on which community.

Areas like Cherry Gardens,Norbrook or Manaor Park are considered “uptown” and tends to be very expensiv However houses in areas like Meadowbrook ,Constant Spring and there oaks may be more reasonably priced.

In Portmore and the outskirts of the city, you will be able to acquire a house or lot at a much lower price. Portmore, however, is comprised of many communities. Areas such as Johnson Hill, Sandhills and Caribbean Estates, are the more upscale communities in Portmore. There are other desirable communities such as Edgewater and Cedar Grove.

houe in chrry gardens
A home In Cherry Gardens

Planning your shipment to

house in meadowbrook
Typical Home In Meadowbrook

Jamaica

Now that you have sorted out your living arrangements it now time to plan your shipment .this requires lots of work and attention to details so its imperative to have a  moving checklist so you dont forget anything.

Packing and preparation can be tedious, if your budget allows then you can choose a shipperr who does everything for you and get your items shipped door to door.

However if you are on a tight budget and need to save  some money by doing your own packing the this article How to save money by packing yourself is a good read

You need to do your homework so as not to choose the wrong company

Oftentimes the cheapest shipper is not the best one to choose .speak to your friends and choose the shipper with the best reputation and is recommended . This article will give some insights in choosing the right shipping company.

Jamaica returning  residents associations

It is not only  the Jamaican government who has taken time or the effort to ensure that returning residents to Jamaica are made to feel welcome .

There are various bodies which have been set up by private individuals which seek to aid and guide returning residents to jamaica  in various stages of their resettlement endeavors

This site has a list of returning residents associations by parish you can check it out.

Why Not Give Us A Chance To Help .We Are The Best Value For Every Dollar CLICK HERE

Moving To Jamaica

moving to jamaica life

Moving to Jamaica As An Expat

Choosing a shipper for your move to jamaica

Whenever you move anywhere our recommendation is to try and find the best most reliable shipper you can. After all there’s nothing worse than a shipper who doesn’t really care about your things and handles them roughly.

If your employer is not moving you to Jamaica it becomes even more important that you find a high quality, reliable mover for shipping your household contents to Jamaica. So make sure you get three quotes from shippers.

Often you will know others who’ve moved to Jamaica. Ask them for their recommendations. Ultimately you don’t need to go with someone else’s recommendation but at least you know their experiences and that can definitely help in moving to Jamaica and choosing your shipper.

Compare shipper quotes service for service

Obviously when choosing a shipper for your move to Jamaica you need to compare your three quotes to see what price is being asked. You also need to ensure you compare apples to apples and that each moving company is offering the same or very similar services and that you believe their reliability and promises they make will be kept.

Remember you’re moving everything you own to move to Jamaica permanently, so don’t let price be the only guide when choosing your shipper. Make sure you look at everything in the services each shipper offers you and that they will deliver your contents to the right place at the right time and in the best possible condition.

Check what’s included in your shipper’s quote

Also make doubly sure to check what each international mover is including in their package for you. That way there’s no surprise if you end up having to clear customs yourself because the cheaper package didn’t include clearing Jamaican customs for you. And if they don’t clear customs they surely won’t move you from customs to your new house, leaving you to organize it all there and then at greater expense. Not a very stress free start to your new life in Jamaica, is it?

So when comparing quotes for moving to Jamaica just double check everything for your own peace of mind and to make sure there are no surprises.

When you’ve chosen your shipper for your move to Jamaica get everything that was agreed down in writing so there can be no dispute about your move.

Packing for your move to Jamaica

You can save 25 to 30% of your moving costs by doing the preparation and packing yourself. It’s perfectly possible to prepare for your move to Jamaica yourself and get your things packed, provided you’ve enough time and you’ve the essential packing materials, such as corrugated cardboard, packing tape and stretch film.

For some invaluable tips on packing yourself see our guide: how to save money by packing yourself

Immigration needs for your move to Jamaica

Remember your passport needs to be valid. You also need to have another passport sized photo and a Jamaican Ministry of Labour letter with approval for a work permit or allowing an exemption from the need for a work permit.

First decide whether you’d rather live in the city, in suburbs or in the countryside.

If you prefer the capital, maybe because you’re working there, you can have an apartment or a townhouse. Rental is around US$300 to US$1200 and you can usually pay in American dollars or Jamaican currency.

Kingston’s choicer and more secure areas for rental are:

  • Norbrook
  • Cherry gardens
  • Barbican
  • Manor park

Rents can be higher here than elsewhere as these areas are considered more upmarket. If you want something less upmarket consider these areas:

  • Zaidie gardens
  • Hope pastures
  • Mona
  • Pleasanton

If this is your first time moving to Jamaica make sure you use a real estate broker such as ReMax to find you somewhere to live in the area you’ve chosen. And it all starts with you making contact with the real estate agent, they’ll ask you some questions about your move to Jamaica and then they can start looking on your behalf.

Learning the Language

Standard English is usually used for communicating when you’re doing business. However, most people talk to one another in a native creole called patois (pronounced patwa).

Patois is an interesting mix of English (Scots and Irish) and a dialect from central Africa. It’s also only a spoken language. In fact many Jamaicans who use the dialect the most have problems reading or writing.

This is a video  which helps teach you patois. You may not become fluent immediately but it does mean you’ll amuse other Jamaicans and they’ll warm to you and your efforts!

Hopefully this article will set you on the right path for your move to Jamaica. If you need anything else regarding a move to Jamaica one of our shipping consultants will be happy to help and  speak to you about it.

Moving Overseas? How To Save Money By Packing Yourself

You landed that dream job in a foreign country but as fate would have it you have very limited funds ,indeed, you just have enough to pay for freight and some minor incidentals .

Hmmm ”what options do I have” you ask yourself  ".AHA! why don’t i pack my items myself"

Well not so fast, packing and protecting your items for an international move is not for the faint of heart . There is a lot more effort involved in preparing your stuff for that trip overseas than if you were moving within the country.

Bear in mind that shipping your items abroad involves multiple handlers so your precious wedding gifts and that  antique family heirloom that you just have to carry has to undergo:

Customs inspections

Rough seas

Uncaring warehouse handlers

Well, You get the picture.

Packing And Protecting Furniture For Shipping

Packing your belongings for the long trip means your furniture and appiances has to be completely wrapped and padded so as to survive the long trip.

Protecting Your Furniture Using Furniture Pads

Suitable media are furniture pads (if you have them or can afford to buy them) they are very similar to comforters and can be pricey , typically you can get a dozen for  approximately US60 per dozen  depending on the grade, that is, the further the distance the thicker they should be so in this case medium grade should suffice.

However they have the advantage that the company clearing your shipment, if it’s a moving company like Orandy , would very likely buy them back from you so you would get back all or some of your money.

Essentially you take the pads and wrap each item tightly, it would be great if you have someone to help and also have stretch film to place around the wrapped item to hold the furniture pad in place

Wrapping Your Furniture Using Corrugated Paper

fridge wrapped in corrugated paper and stretched filmed
wraped in corrugated paper

As professional packers we would use suitable packing materials such as bubble wrap to prepare your items followed by placing them in crates for even more protection .

However since you are trying to save cost then you can use any of the following , provided you do it properly.

Lets Look At Packing Artwork.

One way to properly prepare your artwork for the long trip is to use two pieces of firm cardboard

You then cut the cardboard just slightly bigger than the painting and place one piece at the rear and the other at the front of the  painting using tape to hold the two pieces of cardboard in place.

You can surround that with bubble if you so choose .additionally you can surround that now with corrugated paper so as to create a strong well padded package

Rremember to stand them on end and not flat.DSC_0865 

Packing your china and breakables

If you really must carry your fine china then you must recognize that the key to avaoid damage is to pack them well

One option is to use clothing, towels and so on to pad these items rather than purchase bubble wrap or wrapping paper

Well ther is nothing wrong with that and you ahev the added benefit of not having to box them up

Speaking of boxes it would have been great if you still had the boxes your fragiles came in, but if you don’t its no big deal

When packing dishes and other fragile items into a container such as a box you should first start by lining the sides and bottom of the box with padding materials whetehr it is your towels, crushed newspaper or bubble

You then wrap each piece singly with wrapping paper then place them on end into the box

Try to achieve a tight fit so nothing moves around unnecessarily

Alternately you could use paper plates or foam plates between each plate or saucer,then wrap them all upin one bundle then place them in a box shanding on their end of course. Do this until the box is full .

The box cant be too large however.

If you are dealing with stemmed glasses then these must be placed upside down after being wrapped ,never on their sides

If there is space at the top of the box then add crushed paper, towels or linen etc to fill the additional space and provide a buffer.

Do not attempt to fill space in a plate box with glassware or cups or any other fragiles for that matter because the weight of the plates can cause the more delicate items like stem glasses to break.

It would be great to have a large box to now place the smaller boxes containing your fragiles into.

Be sure to create a detailed packing list and of course number and label each piece

Thats it ! you are all set you have saved yourself approximately 25 to 40% on the total cost to ship your items , now if only you owned a ship to carry the shipment you could save another 40% . but you are not that not that lucky are you?

 

Things To Consider When Moving Abroad

moving abroad

Moving or Shipping Overseas?

So, the time has come for you to change shores. You know where you are going, what items you will be taking with you on the flight and what you will ship later. But, what about the other aspects of your move or shipment? Yes there are numerous things to consider when moving overseas, we will look at 5 in this article.

Here are 5 things that you need to consider:

1. How far away from the closest seaport is your destination?

Some destinations are landlocked, i.e. they are great distances from a seaport. In such cases, the time and cost to have the shipment transported to such a destination will be far greater than shipments to port or near-port destinations. Some vessels might not have direct sailings between some ports. This means that the vessel might have one or more stops at other ports before it gets to your destination port. If the container holding your items have to be transferred to another vessel or to rail or truck before it gets to your destination port (transshipment or multimodal shipment), then this can also be a bit costlier than a straight shipment.

2. What status are you relocating under?

Returning resident, immigrant, visitor, student, contracted employee, refugee, etc., are some of the statuses under which people enter territories. Your status helps to determine your allowances, concessions, documentation and other import requirements. Ensure that your agent is clear about your status. This can help to avoid some very unpleasant surprises in terms of whether or not you will be able to get your items, and if you will be required to pay additional customs fees.

3. Will you be taking your pets?

 

Some countries will allow pets to enter without all of their shots, while others require these shots, especially rabies shots, before they will allow entry. It is best to find out these allowances well ahead of time so that you can arrange for the shots or arrange for a home for your pets if you cannot take them. The fee for transporting pets will vary depending on the size, type and weight of the pet. Regardless of the country or territory, it is best to prepare your pet for the journey by taking them for long drives confined in a pet carrier. You should also be prepared for destination quarantine periods of up to one month.

4. Are you prepared to pay assessed duties/fees?

It is always best to allow for at 25% over the assessed shipping costs. Even the very best shipping agent will not be able to account for every eventuality. However, you can be somewhat prepared if you keep in mind that there can be unforeseen situations and unexpected costs, and take that into consideration when budgeting.

5. What will you do if there are delays?

Many exporters might believe that their items will be shipped off within a few days after they have been placed into the hands of the shipping agent. In reality, there is a preparatory period for your items in order to have properly documented, packaged and declared before being shipped. Unfortunately, there can also be delays due to weather, vessel problems, situations at the local or destination port, regulation changes, civil unrest, internal or external threats, etc. It is therefore advisable to put in place a contingency plan, in the event that there are delays.

 

Moving by itself can be tedious. But when you add a different territory it then becomes quite a task. If you have questions or need help with your local or international move or shipment, contact us. We would be happy to assist you.

All You Need To Know About Shipping A Barrel To Jamaica

company in jamaica that ships barrels

The practice of packing and shipping barrels to Jamaica from migrants to their loved ones has been common place for years . But how many people stop to think that there is actually right way to pack and prepare a barrel, and what is entailed in clearing that barrel once it gets to its destination .

So if you are shipping a barrel to Jamaica, continue reading because we have prepared  a little insight into what is involved in the entire process which we hope will be useful to you.

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Packing the barrel

    1. First it is a good practice to sort all items according to their type. This will allow you to get a better idea of the quantity and how you need to pack them, ensure fragile pieces are wrapped and protected.

 

    1. Although its common sense to pack all canned goods and firmer items at the base, (this includes hard cardboard boxes), many people forget how important this is. Its important to build that strong base that can withstand goods loaded on top. Any food stuff  can now be wrapped securely preferably in plastic  and packed on  this firm base

 

    1. Items packed in plastic containers is preferred to items packaged in glass so always try to get items packed in plastic to limit the chance of breakage. All bottles caps should be wrapped with tape ( so as to minimize the chance of the cork unscrewing and spilling its contents) placed in plastic before placing them  in the barrel.

 

    1. Additionally if you have to have have no choice but to have glass then you may use towels and soft items such as tissue paper and any other soft, cushioning materials, to pack around the bottles giving them that extra protection

 

    1. Now its always a good idea for clothing and other fabric to  be placed at the top of the barrel, preferably in plastic bags to prevent damage from spillage.

 

    1. Scented items, such as bath soaps, should be placed on top, away from dry goods and food items,  Can you imagine eating your rice meal tasting like Chanel?. If you are shipping more than one barrel, or if you have small boxes  you can separate these items, putting them in separate containers.

 

Finally your choice of barrel is very important fibre-board barrels though cheaper, cannot hold very heavy loads effectively, so if you plan to load up with many large heavy commodities its best you use the plastic barrels as fibre-board barrels bottoms can and do break when packed with heavy items.

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How to label your barrel

Now lets look at another important aspect to shipping your barrel and that is labelling. When you take the time to label your barrel correctly it eliminates errors and speeds up the entire shipping process. Incorrectly labelled cargo may result in shipment delays not to mention create problems with handlers and Customs at destination.

In order to properly identify your barrel or shipment put your receiver's name and address clearly on the barrel/shipment. This should ideally be done both on the top and on the sides of barrel, so that they are clearly identifiable. Also write your name and address as the shipper of the barrel/shipment. You can do this similar to how  you would address a letter.

Fill out a "Shipper Letter of Instructions" sheet and include a detailed packing list, keep all your purchase receipts until your shipment has safely arrived and delivered to its final destination. Double check that the information that is on your documents is the same as on the actual barrel/shipment.

Remember to seal your barrel with the seal you will receive from your shipping agent. Note that there is a serial number assigned to this seal so make a note of it on your dock receipt, you will need that information later

Boxes should be properly reinforced and taped and pallets should be shrink wrapped and preferably strapped for protection of the cargo.

It is a requirement that all wood packaging material destined for Jamaica must be Heat Treated and ISPM 15 certified.

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Planning your shipment

Always plan ahead for your shipping so that your shipment arrives at destination in a timely manner to meet your needs, e
specially during peak periods .

Have shipment delivered or picked up in time to make the scheduled sailing. Avoid waiting for the last minute. The earlier goods are received it stands to reason that the earlier they will be processed to be shipped.  

The busy months for shipping are March/April (Easter), June/July/August (festivals/Carnivals/Independence/back to school) and, the busiest season of all, Christmas. Plan wisely for these shipping times so that you are never caught in the last minute rush.

 .
Make your Purchases in the weeks and months before you are ready to ship. It is always a good idea to choose a target arrival date (at destination) and from there choose the shipping date. By keeping in mind these simple suggestions you will give yourself and your family ample time to get the items shipped.

When shipping or air freighting your goods from abroad make sure that:
• shipping/airline documents are obtained from the shipping/airline agent abroad;
• you know the freight agent in Jamaica who is responsible for handling your goods when they arrive.
Be sure to take the Bill Of  Lading , Airway Bill so as to clear your goods through customs

CLEARING YOUR ITEMS THROUGH CUSTOMS

If your goods are personal and household effects and do not exceed a Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of US$3000 or the Jamaican equivalent, then you may proceed to the wharf, airport or private warehouse to clear your goods.

Take all your documents such as Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN), valid identification (driver's licence, passport or voter's ID), Invoice, Bill of Lading or Air Way Bill, C27 form,C78X form (not required if items are not dutiable or value US$100 or less) or C86 to the Customs Manifest Branch, at the clearance point. The Manifest Clerk or Officer will process and stamp the baggage declaration form and return the documents to you.

Present all documents to the Customs Officer on duty and await his/her instructions. You should be ready to open your baggage for inspection when told to do so.

If, after inspection, it is determined that no duty is payable, the Customs Officer will issue a Customs Release. If it is determined that duties are payable the Customs Officer will direct you to the Customs Cashier to pay the necessary duties and fees. On your return after paying the duties and fees, the Customs Officer will issue the Customs Release.

Persons to whom barrels have been sent from overseas:

Take your Arrival Notice, Bill of Lading or Airway Bill and identification to the freight agent who is responsible for receiving and handling your goods.

The freight agent will process your papers and collect all fees due to them (not customs fees) and advise you when and where (wharf or warehouse) the package(s) will be available for inspection by Customs.

Take your documents (including Customs Forms C78X and C86 to the wharf or warehouse at the appropriate time and present them to the clerk in the Customs Manifest Branch .

After you have collected your shipping documents from the shipping agent and paid the relevant handling and/storage fees proceed to the warehouse where your barrel or package is stored.

If you have an unaccompanied baggage form c27 (yellow form) from the airport  you must present it along with your TRN and your passport to the customs officer

At the warehouse you must present your shipping documents ie your bill of lading and your arrival notice to the security and wait for your barrel to be located and brought out for inspection.
Once located, the Customs Officer will instruct you to open and unpack the barrel or package for inspection.

You will then be directed to the customs cashier to make payment.After you ha After you have paid you then take the release order to the warehouse operator who will then issue a gate pass to you.
If your barrel contains only personal effects and non commercial items then a flat rate of $6500 is applicable.
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If You Are Clearing A barrel For Someone

If you are clearing a barrel for someone you must present

  • an authorization letter which is signed and stamped by a justice of the peace

  • Along with the consignee”s tax registration number (trn) and a valid passport .

Once you have all of these, you can go ahead and present them to Customs.

Transportation

Ok so now that you have cleared your barrel how do you get it to your destination?

Well there are usually trucks and vans on the outside of the port who will be more than willing to transport your precious cargo but be sure to be willing to negotiate the best price as often times you price will depend on how you look and your perceived ability to pay .

Guess by now you are anxious to know how much it will cost to ship your barrel ,just click the link Request A Quote For Your Barrel and we will be sure to get back to you soon.

 

Moving Yourself? Here Are The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Ok so you find that you have to move house and guess what you have little or no money, what do you do? Well you will just have to move yourself right? Well firstly you really need to think long and hard about this because unless you have previous experience lots of hands to help out or precious few stuff, this is not the task for the faint of heart.

Bear in mind that moving is in the top five (5) activities that people hate and find extremely stressful. (That’s one of the reasons we created a convenient bundle of services to reduce your level of stress when moving)

So that being said, ok you still don’t have any choice you are still determined to do this yourself huh? Well we can help you by advising you as to some of the common mistakes that the do-it -yourselfer make and how to avoid them.

so let’s look at some of the common mistakes. Bear in mind though that they are not in any particular order and is by no means exhaustive,  let get started.

Mistake #1

Leaving all our packing until last minute

llast minute packingIt’s common for most people to procrastinate on almost everything so it’s not uncommon that when it becomes necessary to move house that you will be bitten by the procrastination bug and choose to leave your packing for the last minute.- big mistake! Whereas if you were using a moving company which offers packing services then it wouldnt be a major problem because they have the manpower ,boxes packing materials etc well that’s what they do  but since you have decided to do it yourself then you now run the risk of serious burn out trying to pack, move and carry stuff, arrange for the utilities to be terminated………. You get the point.

 

Mistake #2

My friends will help me

It’s common to have friends and family promise faithfully to help and then you find that all those promises fall through and you are left alone or with a significantly reduced team.

Well depending on your family and friends size and how close knit you are then why not make a “party” of the whole affair, cook some food make some drinks (preferably not alcoholic) and get it done!

Mistake #3

Underestimating the volume of work

PACKING BOXESThis is perhaps the easiest thing to do. its common to just look at what items you can see and feel that its not all that bad …well not so fast,remember you will have to unpack the dresser, unpack the chest of  drawers, the cupboard the ……….. yeah when you add that up the task now seem unsurmountable  . well the solution to that is to pace yourself do it a little at a time if time permits . start early carry all the items that are not used regularly. the paintings,, the things in the closet etc

Mistake #4

Not Purging Before The Move

It is always surprising how many things we accumulate over the years , we buy stuff  receive stuff and we put them away and essentially forget them ……….untill you have to move . So take the oppprtunity every year or so to do a complete purge . you could do it lets say at the beginning or end of each year . this would go a long way in keeping the volume of items to a manageable level.But hwo many people will do that religiously? Hardly anybody so guess what use the impending move as a reason to start the purging process with enthusiasm. Doing that regularly or properly will alleviate the enormous burden you literally have to carry on moving day

Mistake #5

Inefficient packing

Bad packingProper packing is very important to any move whether done by a professional or the DIY

Using the right boxes for the correct items will save you lots of time in repacking broken boxes when they break under the load, labelling correctly will lessen the time spent in sorting thru mountains of boxes to find your toothbrush etc

Feel free to check our moving tips  for  detailed information on how to pack and be safe in your endeavour.

 

DeCluttering Your Space

Moving day is fast approaching and guess what you never realised you had accumulated so much things well what are your option you say? DECLUTTER !!
It’s a common problem. You know you have way too much stuff for your available space, but you become paralyzed at the thought of decluttering. One solution is to start with something that takes minimal effort but makes a big impact in your home right away. From carving out a bit of breathing room in your closet to making a dent in the junk drawer, these five ways to begin the decluttering process are relatively painless. You can do this!

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Canadian Bacon Meets Jamaican Jerk Chicken

jamaica/canada flags

What happens when Canadian bacon meets Jamaican Jerk chicken? Read on and you will find out.
Well, it all started when OMSC applied for a CESO VA through JAMPRO, and Bamm!….here came Lorne Duquette. Confused yet? Just read on and you will get it.
You see, JAMPRO has a partnership with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO), wherein a Volunteer Assistant (VA) visits companies in small countries and developing areas of the world to provide expertise and aid in their advancement in various ways. Yes, I know…..that was a mouthful but read on.
Orandy Moving & Storage Co. Ltd. (OMSC), that’s us, were beneficiaries of that programme and our VA, the one and only Lorne, arrived in the island on August 22nd for a three week stay.

Lorne Duquette
Lorne Duquette

So, who is Lorne Duquette? He is a well-traveled young man in his seventies, who has extensive business experience. He travels around the world using his super business powers to help strengthen companies. His favorite hobby is speed walking and he is a Usain Bolt fan.

While in Jamaica, Lorne enjoyed the hospitality of Orandy’s M.D., Oral Williams, and his family. During the week, he spent his days at the office poring over forms, procedures, charts, etc., as he observed and made reports and presentations in keeping with the main purpose of his visit.

In the evenings and on weekends, it’s time to let the hair down and let loose on jerk chicken, patties, ackee and saltfish, Fry fish and festival and stew peas and rice. He also sampled local beverages and fell in love with Red Stripe beer. He tried some rum and cola who promptly sent him to bed. There were visits to historic Port Royal, Fort Clarence Beach, Dunns River Falls and even an adventurous ride on one of the local JUTC transit buses.
Yes, Lorne Duquette, the Ceso VA from Canada, spent three weeks with Orandy Moving & Storage Co. in Jamaica, and it was good. Thank you JAMPRO and CESO. Lorne, we hope to see you again.
Please see additional photos below.

at dunns river falls

Lorne Duquette

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