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Shipping Companies

(@CaptainMalibu)
Posts: 90
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Looking for suggestions for shipping companies to ship packages from US to St. Croix.

I currently use Paradise Freight and have been for the past couple of years however, as of late I have had multiple and consistent problems with late shipments, lost items, etc. That said, the people at Paradise Freight are great and have been since day one. The point of this post is not to disparage them in any way. It may simply be a post hurricane issue that will be the same with every shipping company however, due to the fact this has become a chronic issue I thought I should at least check out the competition.

I know of VI Cargo and will give them a try but thought while I am at it I would take a look at any other options that might be available.

I might add that I do have a mail box in Sunny Isle (Not USPS). Some online items from Amazon will ship there but most won't. I have considered getting a USPS mailbox to see if Amazon will offer more shipping options to a USPS box. Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks in advance

 
Posted : March 1, 2018 8:44 pm
(@Scubadoo)
Posts: 2434
Noble Member
 

I might add that I do have a mail box in Sunny Isle (Not USPS). Some online items from Amazon will ship there but most won't. I have considered getting a USPS mailbox to see if Amazon will offer more shipping options to a USPS box. Does anyone have experience with this?

What do yo have at Sunny Isle, just a street address? I don't think USPS PO Vs. whatever you have at Sunny makes a difference to Amazon. There are items that Amazon just won't ship for whatever reason and many other sellers on Amazon simply won't ship to territories. You can test shipping to any address to see if it will work without actually placing an order.

My shopping routine starts with loading up the cart with many same or similar items from various sellers and then going to the checkout to see what will actually ship. Delete the ones that won't ship then compare what's left. Same deal with Walmart.

 
Posted : March 2, 2018 1:27 am
(@stjohnjulie)
Posts: 1053
Noble Member
 

Unfortunately, since the hurricanes, shipping delays and such seems to be the norm, whatever company you may use. I do the logistics for the construction company I work for and we've had almost no shipments Without some kind of issue. Flat racks, containers, LCL, I haven't had a single one go smoothly since the storms. Broken down barges, no containers or racks to load things on, no chassis to haul a rack/container to STJ, incorrect BOL. You name it, it's happened in the last few months. The company I use for clearing is also having all kinds of issues. I too was looking for other options and found that this is just an overall problem and decided I best stick with the people that I at least have a relationship with. Most of the things I am dealing with are relief (roofing) materials and I still have problems. Things that aren't deemed relief materials have even more trouble because they will be the first to get bumped off a full barge. I don't see the troubles letting up anytime soon either since many people are just starting to get their insurance checks now and shipping congestion will continue to be a problem.

 
Posted : March 2, 2018 5:15 am
(@CaptainMalibu)
Posts: 90
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the feedback...I guess I will need to adjust my expectations and spend more time on the beach...

 
Posted : March 3, 2018 6:14 pm
(@stjohnjulie)
Posts: 1053
Noble Member
 

Sounds like a great plan!

Here is how my last shipment went to give you an idea:

40 foot container shipped from Nicaragua Jan 12. Was due to arrive on STJ Jan 21.
Departed on time. Sat in Jamacia until Feb 17, broken down barge. Arrived in SJU Feb 19. Arrived STT Feb 22. Inccorect BOL. Cleared Feb 26. Scheduled to arrive STJ Feb 27. No chassis to deliver. Due to arrive STJ Feb 28, March 1, March 2 it arrives to STJ at 5:38pm. Too late to do anything with it until Monday March 5. This particular shipment went through Crowley. And I have been told that they are having more issues than Tropical. But I haven't had a Tropical order go smoothly either, but their delays have been more in the 2-3 week range, NOT the 4-6 week range like Crowley.

 
Posted : March 4, 2018 6:34 am
(@CaptainMalibu)
Posts: 90
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

I might add that I do have a mail box in Sunny Isle (Not USPS). Some online items from Amazon will ship there but most won't. I have considered getting a USPS mailbox to see if Amazon will offer more shipping options to a USPS box. Does anyone have experience with this?

What do yo have at Sunny Isle, just a street address? I don't think USPS PO Vs. whatever you have at Sunny makes a difference to Amazon. There are items that Amazon just won't ship for whatever reason and many other sellers on Amazon simply won't ship to territories. You can test shipping to any address to see if it will work without actually placing an order.

I use Mail Boxes and More and it is a regular street address with a suite and box number. The reason I mentioned this is because sometimes shipping can be an issue if an address is not a "verified" address. Not sure if this is an issue with the mail box address or if a PO Box would constitute a "verified address".

 
Posted : March 5, 2018 5:16 pm
(@Scubadoo)
Posts: 2434
Noble Member
 

I use Mail Boxes and More and it is a regular street address with a suite and box number. The reason I mentioned this is because sometimes shipping can be an issue if an address is not a "verified" address. Not sure if this is an issue with the mail box address or if a PO Box would constitute a "verified address".

Ha Ha, every time I mail something to myself from the states to my condo office street address the Post Office tells me the address is not valid and asks me if I really want to mail it. Of course there is never any problem with delivery. Haven't ever had any issues with other shippers to this address. It's been the same address for 30 years. It's not actually a street it's just XXXX estate name. The hotel and other condos in the same estate have similar addresses.

 
Posted : March 6, 2018 1:47 am
(@alana33)
Posts: 12366
Illustrious Member
 

Shipping Delays Expected as Nor’easter Hits U.S. Mainland

https://stthomassource.com/content/2018/03/07/shipping-delays-expected-as-noreaster-hits-u-s-mainland/

 
Posted : March 7, 2018 11:03 am
(@SupplyVI)
Posts: 4
New Member
 

Supplyvi is a company, soon to be launched via website of the same name, that will absolutely send anything to you from the mainland. Owned and operated by Virgin Islanders, they know first-hand the frustrations of ordering goods to the islands via postal service, FedEx, UPS or freight forwarders such as VI Cargo and Paradise freight.

The website will offer popular products for sale directly, but the company will also offer services to manage the procurement and logistics of goods you purchase from third parties.

Go to the site and signup for updates - launch expected soon.

 
Posted : March 7, 2018 3:44 pm
(@CaptainMalibu)
Posts: 90
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Will check it out. Thanks!

 
Posted : March 7, 2018 4:45 pm
(@Scubadoo)
Posts: 2434
Noble Member
 

Remind us again when it's open for business

 
Posted : March 8, 2018 12:43 am
(@stjohnjulie)
Posts: 1053
Noble Member
 

Tropical barge that was due to arrive yesterday to STT is delayed until Friday. I have a rack on that boat... so that is delay #1 on this shipment so far.

Crowley seems to be having a harder time of it. I have an LCL that has been sitting around for a couple of weeks at the port in MIA waiting to make it on a boat.

Supplyvi... who are you using to get things down?

 
Posted : March 8, 2018 6:17 am
(@quirion)
Posts: 427
Reputable Member
 

Anyone worked with Bob Lync moving for coming or going from STX?

 
Posted : March 11, 2018 4:50 am
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