Moving Tips from Aruba

  For Arubans, the holidays are twice as happy: 90% of our kids go study abroad, mainly to The Netherlands, The States, Canada, and Latin America.   They come back home this season to spend Christmas with their families. The best Christmas gift any parent could ask for! Some of our customs  during this season are:  On Aruba music plays a big part in any celebration, you will find bands around the public places on the island playing Gaita.  Gaita is most known for its Christmas songs. It will be played on the radio from November to the beginning of January. And they will be present in almost every Christmas activity, you will see a band of women singing and the men playing the "furro", "charrasca", maracas, "cuatro", and tambora, the instruments needed to play this music. After Christmas Eve, there will usually be a band playing Dande. Dande is a traditional music Aruban’s play to welcome the New Year. The band usually visits houses or stands in front of a

If you are moving to Aruba or just settled in on the One Happy Island, this information about grocery shopping is very handy. On Aruba, there’s always a small grocery store around the corner. Nevertheless, you can also find international well-known products at our major supermarkets in Aruba.  Even though Aruba is a small island in the Caribbean; you will be surprised by how many options and variety you will find in the supermarkets! From vegan products to exotic delicacies from all over the world. Many products from the Netherlands, Latin America, North America, and also from Asia.  Aruba has to import almost everything, but lately, the local production of fruits and vegetables has gained popularity. Although these products are not produced in large quantities on the island Same with seafood, the possibilities are endless, in the supermarkets, you can find frozen seafood from all over the world as well as fresh seafood caught by the locals.   #SupportYourLocals Did you know that the

Linked to our Dutch heritage, Aruba's educational system is administered by the Aruban Ministry of Education and requires the high standards maintained by educational institutions in the Netherlands. The literacy rate is 97 % Aruba has one of the highest levels of education in the Caribbean. Schools instruction is in the official Dutch language, lower grades are taught in Papiamento, the local language and gradually they add English and Spanish Kindergarten begins at the age of 4 Primary education beginning at 6 years of age a 6- year period Secondary education beginning at age 12, a 5-year period Basic professional, technical, and vocational education institutions of higher learning includes community colleges and 3 universities. Pre-school  Basic and Secondary schools in Aruba Most schools for primary and secondary education are public, with exception of  De Schakel and International School of Aruba De Schakel primary school opened In October 1994 for children ag

Import duties on Aruba are calculated on CIF:  Cost + Insurance + Freight. The average value of import duties is 12% for basic goods/products which are categorized as primary necessities of life. Luxury and other goods are subjected to higher import duties. An exemption on household goods may apply if the following conditions are met: • The household goods must have been used in the previous primary place of residence. • The household goods have been used outside of Aruba following the prevailing norms in that country. • Exemption is only granted to persons who were not yet considered residents of Aruba. • Household goods imported using a duty exemption must be imported within 12 months after the normal place of residence has been transferred; this can be achieved in one or more shipments.  • Fill out a petition for duty-free import to Aruba, it is in Dutch • If a request for exemption of import duties on the household goods shipment is rejected in whole or in part, the own

Welcome to my island! This is where the container with your cargo or vehicle will arrive. The port of Oranjestad It is being used only for cruise ships and car carriers, it is the main commercial harbor of Aruba, is situated on the south-western end of the island.  Open for day and night navigation, allowing vessels to enter and leave at any hour. It is located along the water’s edge of the capital, Oranjestad, which makes a colorful sight upon entering the harbor.  The ships dock within walking distance from the shopping centers, a short drive from the beaches, and about 3 miles from the Airport. The Barcadera Harbor  It is located 3 miles South East of the Oranjestad Port and has 1148 feet of docking space.  Planned for more than 20 years, the container Port in Barcadera is in business since February 15, 2016. With the reopening of the Barcadera port for containerized cargo, the Government of Aruba is promoting Aruba regionally and internationally as a potential small hub for Free-Zo

Even in regards to vehicle’s import duties, Aruba is on its way to be a greener Island! Depending on the age and value of the car you want to import, the import duties rates are : 50%/ 40%/ 20%/ “CIF” = Cost of car, Insurance and Freight. If you become a resident of Aruba, you are entitled to bring a car (which you had in use and possession for more than 6 months) free of duty. Import duties on vehicles are as followed: AWG 0 - 20,000.00 (CIF)- 30% on CIF value AWG 20,001.00 (CIF)- 40% on CIF value AWG 30.0001.00 (CIF)- 50% on CIF value Unless it’s a hybrid car, which is ONLY 12% on CIF. For additional info visit our main blog: Blog tips for moving to Aruba (arubair.com)  

 If you live on Aruba or a country with tropical weather, avoid plastic/bubble wrap as much as possible! 

Don't move during High Season

Requirements to import household goods and vehicles to Aruba -Need a declaration of residence from the Aruba census office. -DIMAS Aruban  Residence permit. -Everything that you bring in your cargo has to be in your possession and in use for a minimum of 6      months. -Cars and motorcycles, have to present tax/title and insurance from the original country, to prove 6 months of use/service. -From the census, have to request the form that shows the city and country where you are moving from,  have to be specific when requesting this document since it is not standard practice to provide this information -Have to request a tax ID number, at the Aruba Tax department SIAD -Inventory list and Value of all house-hold goods and car, motorcycle -Invoices for new articles/vehicles -Fill out a petition for duty-free import to Aruba, it is in Dutch