Relocation guide

Moving to the Bay Islands

Especially Roatán. A calm plan, a clear packing list and one company to handle the shipping, door to door.

We make the shipping part easy

Moving to Roatán, Utila or Guanaja is exciting. It can also feel like a lot, especially when your things are still in the United States and your new life is already starting on the island.

Our job is to take the stress out of shipping your items. We pick up at your door anywhere in the U.S., truck the cargo to the Florida port, move it by sea, clear Honduran customs through our broker, and deliver to your door. You focus on the move itself. We focus on the cargo.

This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules can change, and every shipment is a little different. Please confirm the details with us, and with your customs broker, before you pack or book a pickup date.

Plan ahead

Start earlier than you think

Ocean shipping is not same-week delivery. Build in time for pickup, the vessel schedule, customs and island delivery.

01 Set a realistic window

We will give you a timeline with your quote. Until then, avoid locking yourself into a tight arrival date. If you have a lease start, a contractor waiting or a school calendar, tell us early so we can plan around it.

02 Decide what is worth shipping

Ship the things you care about and the things that are hard to replace. Think twice about inexpensive furniture or items that may cost more to move than to buy again on the island.

03 Measure the large pieces

Note the length, width and height of furniture, appliances, vehicles and equipment. Photos help too. The more accurate your list, the cleaner your quote.

04 Pack a suitcase of essentials

Your shipment will not arrive the same day you do. Pack clothes, medicines, documents and a few household basics to carry with you, so you are comfortable while the cargo is in transit.

Documents

What you'll need

Exact requirements vary by cargo and by the person receiving it in Honduras. This is a starting checklist. We'll confirm what applies to your shipment, and your customs broker will have the final word.

For most shipments

  • A commercial invoice or valued list that describes the goods
  • A packing list of what is in the shipment
  • A valid photo ID
  • The consignee's Honduran tax ID (RTN)
  • The bill of lading, which we issue as part of the move

For vehicles and boats

  • Original title, plus a bill of sale or invoice
  • Make, model, year and VIN or hull identification number
  • A valid photo ID for the owner
  • Registration documents for a boat, when they apply
  • Photos of the unit, including any damage

For household goods

  • A detailed, valued packing list, often required in Spanish
  • Passport or immigration documents
  • The consignee's RTN
  • If you are seeking a duty exemption, the extra forms your broker requests, such as a dispensa
  • Photos of high-value items, including serial numbers where they apply

For U.S. export filing

  • If you are an individual shipping goods valued over $2,500 out of the United States, you generally need an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the export filing, rather than a Social Security number
  • A power of attorney or authorization if we file export documents on your behalf
  • We'll tell you if this applies to your shipment

Please confirm with us. This list is a starting point, not a complete set of rules. Some items need extra permits. Some items are better left off the shipment. We will review your list with you so there are no surprises at customs.

Customs

Duties, taxes and household exemptions

Duties and taxes

Duties and taxes in Honduras generally depend on what you are shipping, its value and how it is classified. Those government charges are separate from our transportation quote. In Honduras, shipments generally valued over $1,000 FOB typically require a licensed customs agent. Cargo also cannot sit in the customs area indefinitely. Delays in paperwork can lead to storage fees or other charges. Your customs broker will confirm what you owe and when documents are due.

Household goods (menaje de casa)

Returning Honduran residents may generally qualify for a household-goods exemption, often called menaje de casa. It is typically available once per family, within a set time after return, and subject to value limits and a valued inventory. Foreign residents may have a different path, sometimes through a residency-related dispensa. New goods, commercial quantities and vehicles are often treated differently from used household effects. Do not assume your shipment is duty-free. Your customs broker will confirm what applies to you.

Bringing a vehicle

If a car or truck is part of your move, plan the paperwork early. You'll generally need the original title, a bill of sale or invoice, and a valid photo ID.

Honduras has historically limited vehicle imports by age. As of early 2026, a temporary measure generally allows the import, nationalization and registration of vehicles regardless of year of manufacture, through February 2029. Fees and paperwork still apply, and older vehicles may be treated differently from newer ones. The rules can change. Your customs broker will confirm what applies to your vehicle before we book the move.

What to bring

Things people often ship

  • The car, truck or boat they already trust
  • Furniture that would be hard to replace, or that makes a house feel like home
  • Quality tools and construction equipment for a build or a business
  • Kitchen items and appliances they have already chosen, after checking they will work on the island
  • Auto and truck parts that are difficult to find locally
  • Medical equipment for a clinic or personal use, after we confirm the paperwork

Packing tips

Before pickup day

  • Make a room-by-room inventory, even if it is a simple spreadsheet, and photograph everything
  • Label boxes on more than one side, and mark fragile items clearly
  • Use moisture protection for a marine trip: sealed bags for fabrics, and rust protection for tools and machines
  • Empty, clean and dry appliances, and have them ready to travel upright
  • Do not pack cash, jewelry, important original documents or irreplaceable valuables in the shipment
  • Ask us before packing anything hazardous, perishable, or that might need a special permit

What generally cannot go, or needs extra review

Ask us before shipping hazardous materials, weapons, ammunition, live animals, plants, perishable food or controlled substances. Some of these items need special permits. Some cannot be imported. Medical equipment may need extra approvals. We'll flag restricted items when we review your list.

We use insured and bonded carriers. That is not the same as full-value coverage for every item. If you want added cargo insurance, ask us when you request a quote. A valued, itemized inventory is generally needed to insure household goods.

Roatán is our featured destination, and the island most relocating families ask about. We also deliver to Utila and Guanaja. Those islands can take an extra hop, which we will explain in your quote.

When you are ready, request a free quote. We'll take it from there.

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