24 



THE CUBA REVIEW. 



SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO CUBA. 



Packing is Important — Do not use Tags but Paint Name and Destination on 

 Package — How Annoying Mistakes Can be Avoided. 



Prospective settlers in Cuba who pur- 

 pose moving household furniture, farm 

 implements, etc., from interior cities or 

 towns to New York and thence to Cuba 

 are not in many instances familiar with 

 the proper manner of shipping. Local 

 railroad officials are not well informed! 

 on the matter and sometimes mistakes 

 are made which cause much annoyance 

 and what is of more consequence may 

 even cause the goods to miss the steam- 

 er, thus extending the trouble and en- 

 tailing additional worry and expense. 



Yet household or other goods can be 

 dispatched from any point to Cuba and 

 reach destination in good season and 

 condition, and the few hints here given 

 will help matters materially." 



Packing is important. Large farm 

 tools can be left uncrated but furniture 

 should be crated or boxed and all small 

 articles (crockery, etc.), should be well 

 packed in barrels or boxes. Do not be 

 afraid of making your crates or other 

 packages too strong. Your goods will 

 be handled and rehandled many times 

 before they get to their destination and 

 must be well packed to prevent break- 

 age. Transportation companies will not 

 be responsible for broken furniture if 

 not crated, or if not strongly crated. 

 Neither will they assume the risk of in- 

 terior breakage. Steamer charges are 

 based on the space occupied, therefore 

 fill every box or package well in order 

 that you may get the benefit of the 

 space for which you will have to pay. 



Plainly mark your name, destination 

 and port via which the goods are going 

 on each package with paint. Tags on 

 anything but regular baggage are not 

 recommended, as they are liable to come 

 ofif and leave the package without iden- 

 tification. 



It is best to allow two weeks between 

 the day you ship and the sailing day 

 from New York, which allows time for 

 the usual delays. 



You may obtain a lower railroad 

 freight rate by limiting the value of 

 your goods to $S-0O per lOo lbs. in event 

 of loss or damage, and the chances are 

 that they will arrive in good condition. 

 The delivery in New York is at the 

 freight station, as in other cities, and the 

 goods have to be carted to the steam- 

 ship pier. Do not prepay this service, 

 as the local agent usually fails to note 

 the advance payment on the papers, and 

 it is almost sure to be overlooked at the 



New York end. As a consequence the 

 steamship company pays for the cartage 

 and the passenger is confronted with a 

 bill which naturally he refuses to pay 

 again. Pay the charges to New York 

 only, consign the goods in care of the 

 steamship line, and send the receipt or 

 bill of lading immediately to the steam- 

 ship office with a letter stating by which 

 steamer the sender will take passage. 

 When you arrive in New York, inquiry 

 concerning your goods .should be made 

 at once at the steamship ofilice, and if 

 you have followed the foregoing direc- 

 tions you will probably find they have 

 already reached the dock. 



Heretofore your goods have been 

 called freight, but from now on they 

 are classed as baggage, with very few 

 exceptions. Thus described it is easier 

 to get them through the Cuban custom 

 house. As freight they would necessi- 

 tate a bill of lading, consular invoice, 

 etc., not necessary for baggage. All bag- 

 gage over that allowed on your ticket 

 is termed "excess baggage," and an ad- 

 ditional but nominal charge is made for 

 this. 



Upon arrival in Cuba, make a declara- 

 tion that the goods are your own, are 

 not for sale, and have been used pre- 

 viously. 



The Cuban Tariff laws provide for 

 free entry on the following: 



Used furniture of persons coming to 

 settle in the island, provided the same 

 has been in use for one year. 



Wearing apparel, toilet objects, and 

 articles for personal use, bed and table 

 linen, books, portable tools and instru- 

 ments, theatrical costumes, jewels, and 

 table services, bearing evident trace of 

 having been used, imported by travelers 

 in their luggage in quantities propor- 

 tionate to their class, profession and po- 

 sition. 



This will cover practically everything 

 3^ou take with you, unless it is new. 



After the customs officers pass your 

 goods you are free to send them to your 

 future home. As to the best method of 

 doing this, the local agent of the steam- 

 ship line can advise you. 



By following these general directions 

 and by writing for information where 

 you do not understand, you will be able 

 to assure yourself of a pleasant trip free 

 of worry because of household effects 

 left behind to follow you by another 

 steamer. 



