Parabéns!! Enjoying your journey. We are hoping to be making the same journey sort of journey next year! Thank you for your wonderful writing style. I'm really enjoying your story.
I think that's what we're learning as well. We have really decided we are not interested in re-inventing the wheel. Just being able to enjoy the invention for a next chapter in our lives.
I am glad you gotten some some benefit from my writing.
We flew TAP Air (Portugal) direct from Newark, NY (EWR) to Porto (OPO) which simplified things greatly. The bins flew as checked baggage and the ones beyond the included checked bags set us back $200 each. Unfortunately because I was unable to fly with my other half, we ended up paying for three of the bins. The bins came from our local big box store for $10US each and I sealed them with zip ties (and included additional ones inside incase they got opened by the airline or security).
The TAP air limits on checked baggage is 50lbs (23kg) for weight, as for size, all three dimensions (height, width, length) cannot exceed 62 inches (158cm). My bins measure out to 62.6 inches when added up. We just took the risk and crossed our fingers we would not get called out on it as oversized (which has a hefty fee), and thank goodness, we didn't.
The bins worked out very well, in order to ensure they were not over 50lbs, I actually packed our regular floor scale and checked each one as we packed them. I had to rearrange things a couple of times. We ended up with all four bins weighting between 46 and 48lbs.
If you are not already, I highly suggest going the Americans and Friends PT group on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/americansandfriendsPT). I have my opinions about the group admins (as to many others) but the resources in the files are invaluable. Imperfect, but as close to accurate as we could find, and it is free. I cannot stress how helpful this group was.
In reference to your comment on my other post. Yoav simply walked past customs in the "Nothing to Declare" line and there was no issues. That said, there is some risk with that... Customs can stop you and inquire why you have your stuff. It is important to have with you receipts for anything of real value such as computers, smartphones, etc... Showing that you have owned them more than six months. There have been a few folks who were stopped and forced to pay VAT tax at the rate of 23% of whatever customs determines the goods to be valued at. This is quite rare, but I have read about it over the past couple of years since we began planning our move.
I wish you luck in your journey to Portugal. So far, we are very happy we made this move.
Parabéns! Welcome!
Yaaaaayyyyy! So happy you are together in your beautiful new home in your wonderful new country!
Thank you Karen! 🥰
Parabéns!! Enjoying your journey. We are hoping to be making the same journey sort of journey next year! Thank you for your wonderful writing style. I'm really enjoying your story.
Thanks Steve! I am glad what I am writing is helpful. What we learned from others has made this transition a lot more satisfying. ☺️
I think that's what we're learning as well. We have really decided we are not interested in re-inventing the wheel. Just being able to enjoy the invention for a next chapter in our lives.
Parabens! Enjoy every bit of it!
Devyn, I am so happy for you, Yoav and Bixby!! Congratulations on making your dream come true.
Thank you Jule! Life has come a long way since the EOP days. I could never had even dreamed this could happen back then.
Congratulations and welcome to Porto!!
🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🥰🥰🥰🎉🎉🎉
Muito obrigado 🎉🎉🎉
Glad you finally made it!
So are we! Even though things are not a done deal yet, it feels good to get to this point.
Bem-vindos! Felicidades!
Welcome to Europe 🇪🇺🇵🇹
Thank you! 🥰
Welcome!
Muito obrigado Nancy! 🎉🎉🎉
Your journey is different than ours, but I have gotten much out of reading about it.
Muito obrigado 🎉🎉🎉
A new life indeed! 🥰
Hello again Devyn. Super happy for you guys. My wife and I are getting ourselves ready to do same in November. We are taking our two Boston Terriers.
I’m curious about those bins you used to transport your stuff.
I would really appreciate further details on the logistics involved ie how many bins you are allowed, weight, size and landing taxes, fees etc?
We are flying Air Transat direct from Toronto to Faro. We’re staying in Altura( Algarves )
Sending you three best wishes🐕
Hi Corie,
I am glad you gotten some some benefit from my writing.
We flew TAP Air (Portugal) direct from Newark, NY (EWR) to Porto (OPO) which simplified things greatly. The bins flew as checked baggage and the ones beyond the included checked bags set us back $200 each. Unfortunately because I was unable to fly with my other half, we ended up paying for three of the bins. The bins came from our local big box store for $10US each and I sealed them with zip ties (and included additional ones inside incase they got opened by the airline or security).
The TAP air limits on checked baggage is 50lbs (23kg) for weight, as for size, all three dimensions (height, width, length) cannot exceed 62 inches (158cm). My bins measure out to 62.6 inches when added up. We just took the risk and crossed our fingers we would not get called out on it as oversized (which has a hefty fee), and thank goodness, we didn't.
The bins worked out very well, in order to ensure they were not over 50lbs, I actually packed our regular floor scale and checked each one as we packed them. I had to rearrange things a couple of times. We ended up with all four bins weighting between 46 and 48lbs.
If you are not already, I highly suggest going the Americans and Friends PT group on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/americansandfriendsPT). I have my opinions about the group admins (as to many others) but the resources in the files are invaluable. Imperfect, but as close to accurate as we could find, and it is free. I cannot stress how helpful this group was.
In reference to your comment on my other post. Yoav simply walked past customs in the "Nothing to Declare" line and there was no issues. That said, there is some risk with that... Customs can stop you and inquire why you have your stuff. It is important to have with you receipts for anything of real value such as computers, smartphones, etc... Showing that you have owned them more than six months. There have been a few folks who were stopped and forced to pay VAT tax at the rate of 23% of whatever customs determines the goods to be valued at. This is quite rare, but I have read about it over the past couple of years since we began planning our move.
I wish you luck in your journey to Portugal. So far, we are very happy we made this move.
Thanks so much for all that useful info. I have been checking with a couple of FB groups: Canadians in Portugal. Very useful for sure.
Once again a big thanks. All the best
Welcome 🇵🇹I hope as you settle to your life here it unfolds gently for you both
Have loved reading your eloquent posts that are so open & honest
I’ve smiled & cried with your journey travelled
May this new adventure be all you hope for & more
Thank you for your wonderful comment! Such a heart warmer! 🥰
Sorry for the delayed response, I meant to get back to this before now.
So far all is going along just fine, no regrets.
just catching up .... SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!! Congratulations! looking forward to reading the newest posts!
Congratulations! Welcome to Portugal!