Professional Movers
Moving From Puerto Rico to the U.S: The Checklist You Actually Need
Leaving Puerto Rico for the mainland U.S. is a big move — emotionally and logistically.
On paper it looks simple: Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, you’re staying within U.S. jurisdiction, and in many cases, your used household goods can enter the mainland duty-free if they’ve been in your possession and not for resale.
But the shipping side is where people get surprised:
- You’re working around ocean freight schedules, not just trucks
- Shipments move through ports, terminals, and carriers, not one straight shot
- You may have to deal with EEI filings and paperwork that doesn’t exist on normal state-to-state moves
If you don’t plan for that, you can end up paying more, waiting longer, and dealing with a lot of avoidable stress.
This guide will walk you through:
- What’s different about moving from Puerto Rico to the mainland
- A step-by-step checklist to plan your move
- How Hercules Moving Solutions keeps the whole thing organized and predictable
What Makes Moving From Puerto Rico Different From a Regular Move
1. You’re still “domestic” — but ocean freight changes everything
Puerto Rico is part of U.S. customs territory, and imported items generally pay Puerto Rico’s own sales/use (IVU) and excise tax when they enter the island, administered by the Departamento de Hacienda. That use tax is due before you take possession, and it’s paid once for that item.
When you move out of Puerto Rico:
- There usually isn’t a new Puerto Rico “exit tax” on your used household goods
- The complexity is more about shipping logistics, transit time, and paperwork than customs duty
But your stuff still has to move by ship + truck, not just a moving van.
2. EEI is required for many shipments between Puerto Rico and the mainland
Unlike a move from, say, Florida to Texas, many shipments between the mainland and Puerto Rico require an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing in the Automated Export System (AES), because Puerto Rico is treated as a separate reporting area for trade statistics.
In plain English:
If the value of goods moving under a given classification passes certain thresholds, an EEI filing is required. Your carrier or forwarder often files this for you — but only if they have accurate information.
3. Ocean freight, Jones Act, and higher structural shipping costs
Moves between mainland ports and Puerto Rico generally travel by container ship under Jones Act rules (U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed vessels). Analysts like the Federal Reserve Bank of New York have noted that a 20-foot container from the mainland to Puerto Rico cost roughly double what the same container cost to nearby Dominican Republic, highlighting higher structural shipping costs on this lane.
Industry groups debate how much that translates to retail prices, but from a moving standpoint:
Shipping space is valuable, and what you choose to ship vs. sell/donate matters a lot.
Puerto to the U.S Moving Checklist
Step-by-Step Checklist for Moving From Puerto Rico to the U.S
Step 1: Decide what’s actually worth shipping off island
Puerto Rico’s climate (heat, humidity, salt air) and housing stock mean some items may already be worn, rusted, or not ideal for your new mainland home. Relocation specialists in Puerto Rico consistently advise being very intentional about what you ship versus replace.
Ask yourself:
- Which items are high quality or sentimental enough to justify paying for ocean freight?
- Which pieces (old couches, cheap cabinets, particle-board bookcases) are better to sell, donate, or give away now?
- What can you live without for 2–5+ weeks while it’s in transit?
Hercules tip:
When we build your quote, we’ll walk through your inventory and flag items that are driving cost but not giving you much value.
Step 2: Choose your shipping setup (FCL, LCL, or container service)
Most mainland moves from Puerto Rico use one of these approaches:
- Full Container Load (FCL)
- You get your own 20′ or 40′ container.
- Best if you’re moving a full household.
- Less Than Container Load (LCL) / consolidated service
- Your goods go into crates or lift vans and share a container with others.
- Good fit for smaller shipments and apartments.
- Hybrid container services (similar to U-Pack style)
- Container (or “container-equivalent” trailer) delivered to your door in Puerto Rico, you load, then it ships by ocean and truck to a mainland service center or your new city.
- U-Pack, for example, reports 11–18 business days average transit out of Puerto Rico, significantly faster than some traditional movers that can take several weeks or months.
How Hercules helps:
We’ll match your volume, budget, and timeline to the right format instead of forcing you into a one-size-fits-all solution.
Step 3: Build your timeline around real transit times
Realistic door-to-door timing usually looks like:
- Pickup and loading in Puerto Rico
- Movement to port + waiting for scheduled sailing
- Ocean leg to mainland (often about a week of sailing, depending on route)
- Unloading, port handling, and truck delivery to your new city
Carriers and movers commonly cite 2–5 weeks overall for ocean-freight household moves from Puerto Rico to the mainland, depending on distance and routing.
Hercules advantage:
We give you a realistic delivery window (best-case and typical), not just “in theory if everything is perfect.”
Step 4: Plan your life while your shipment is in motion
Your stuff will be gone for a while. Before you leave Puerto Rico:
- Keep essentials (clothes, laptops, chargers, kids’ must-haves, meds, important documents) with you or ship them separately by parcel/air.
- Decide whether you’ll need temporary furniture (air mattress, folding table) or a furnished rental on the mainland.
- Align your flight and housing dates with your realistic delivery window, not the “absolute fastest” sales pitch.
Your Hercules coordinator can help you chart this out on a calendar so you’re not sitting in an empty place for weeks.
Step 5: Get your paperwork and EEI handled correctly
For moves from Puerto Rico to the mainland, you’ll typically see:
- Bill of lading – the main contract/receipt for your shipment
- Detailed inventory / packing list – avoid “miscellaneous” everywhere; it causes problems
- Commercial value estimates for cargo, especially if there are high-value or new items
- EEI filing when required – the Census Bureau notes that shipments between the U.S. and Puerto Rico generally require Electronic Export Information in AES, with some exemptions.
Hercules advantage:
We coordinate with our freight partners to make sure EEI is filed correctly when needed and that your documents match what carriers and regulators expect.
Step 6: Understand your cost drivers (and how to keep them in check)
Big levers that drive your price:
- Volume & weight – what you choose to ship is the #1 controllable factor.
- Origin & destination access – stairs, long carries, elevators, narrow streets, or remote locations can add labor and shuttle charges.
- Port/terminal & handling fees – some quotes bundle them; others don’t.
- Level of service – full packing vs. self-packed, storage, etc.
With Hercules, you get a clear breakdown of what you’re paying for and where you can adjust: decluttering, changing service levels, or tweaking timing.
Step 7: Decide what to do with your car
A lot of families moving from Puerto Rico to the mainland want to bring at least one vehicle.
Auto-shipping providers and carriers note that:
- Ocean transit between San Juan and mainland ports like Jacksonville or Philadelphia is often 5–7 days, but door-to-door including port drop-off and pickup can run closer to 2–4 weeks.
- Cost depends on size, route, and service (port-to-port vs. door-to-door), with 4-figure totals being common.
Hercules can fold vehicle shipping into your overall move plan so your car and your household goods aren’t on completely separate timelines and vendors.
Step 8: Protect yourself with the right mover and documentation
Even though it’s “domestic,” best practices for long-distance moves still apply:
- Check that carriers are properly licensed and insured for interstate/long-distance moves and, if applicable, ocean freight.
- Get a written estimate, not just a phone quote.
- Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true pricing and big non-refundable deposits — car-shipping and moving scams use this playbook a lot.
Hercules advantage:
We focus on transparent, written estimates and compliance with applicable transport rules so you’re not guessing what you signed.
Why Work With Hercules Moving Solutions for Your Move From Puerto Rico?
You’re not just moving across a state line — you’re moving across water, through ports, and into a completely different logistics setup. It’s not the move you want to DIY with a random broker.
With Hercules Moving Solutions, you get:
- Puerto Rico–aware planning
We understand that you’re dealing with island freight, vessel schedules, and EEI requirements, not just a truck showing up at both ends. - End-to-end coordination
One team to oversee your move from your home in Puerto Rico all the way to your new address on the mainland — including ocean and truck legs — so you’re not managing three separate vendors and hoping they sync. - Clear, honest pricing
We break down what’s driving your cost (volume, lane, services) and show you how to reduce it without sabotaging the move. - Guidance on what to ship vs. leave
Using real freight realities and your situation, we help you avoid paying to ship items that don’t make sense to bring. - Licensed, experienced, and reviewable
Hercules is licensed and insured, with a track record in long-distance and island logistics you can actually look up — plus social proof on major review platforms.
Ready to Start Your Move From Puerto Rico?
If you’re serious about moving from Puerto Rico to the mainland U.S., your best next step isn’t collecting a dozen random ballpark quotes — it’s getting one clear, realistic plan.You’ll get:
- A route and delivery window tailored to your origin in Puerto Rico and your mainland destination
- A transparent breakdown of costs (and where you can save)
- Concrete guidance on what to ship, what to leave, and how to keep your off-island move controlled instead of chaotic
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