How to get my Fiance's belongings to America cheaply

[M2MarryN 2]

So my fiance is from Nigeria. He isn't going to be bringing his whole house, just his belongings-clothes etc. Two airline suitcases isn't going to cut it. We don't plan on returning for at least a year. Is sending stuff via Cargo to the US still available, I know when I used to live in other parts of Africa I did that, but that was before 9/11 and someone said cargo has changed since then. Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Mari

[Lucky couple 1]

So my fiance is from Nigeria. He isn't going to be bringing his whole house, just his belongings-clothes etc. Two airline suitcases isn't going to cut it. We don't plan on returning for at least a year. Is sending stuff via Cargo to the US still available, I know when I used to live in other parts of Africa I did that, but that was before 9/11 and someone said cargo has changed since then. Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Mari

To cargo stuff to the US is still possible, but I cant help wondering what he could possibly be bringing to the US. Laptop I can understand, and then just shoes and clothes which should fit in two cases. Any other stuff he can eventually buy here inthe US as the money and time spent on the cargo business may not be worth all the trouble. Good luck

[Gabriell 0]

Hi,

I also looking for a cheap way of sending my stuff to the states. I have lost the website a member had posted here on VJ.

Does any member know of any International posting website (like FEDEX or UPS)? which are expensive.

Edited August 9, 2010 by Gabriell

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

So my fiance is from Nigeria. He isn't going to be bringing his whole house, just his belongings-clothes etc. Two airline suitcases isn't going to cut it. We don't plan on returning for at least a year. Is sending stuff via Cargo to the US still available, I know when I used to live in other parts of Africa I did that, but that was before 9/11 and someone said cargo has changed since then. Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Mari

Depending on the airline he can pay for extra baggage ( Delta I know forbids any extra bags but the rest I know of will take them for about 180 a pop ) This may be the cheapest way. You can call Sufficient Freight 1-240-603-2784 and see what cargo would be

[pushbrk 12,968]

So my fiance is from Nigeria. He isn't going to be bringing his whole house, just his belongings-clothes etc. Two airline suitcases isn't going to cut it. We don't plan on returning for at least a year. Is sending stuff via Cargo to the US still available, I know when I used to live in other parts of Africa I did that, but that was before 9/11 and someone said cargo has changed since then. Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Mari

Expecting to obtain a fiance visa through Lagos without being there at least once during the process or at interview time is generally unrealistic. I would travel there with only a carry-on bag and then buy two additional suitcases to help bring his things to the USA when you travel together or separately. Otherwise, he should inquiry locally about economical and reliable overseas "shipping".

[M2MarryN 2]

Expecting to obtain a fiance visa through Lagos without being there at least once during the process or at interview time is generally unrealistic. I would travel there with only a carry-on bag and then buy two additional suitcases to help bring his things to the USA when you travel together or separately. Otherwise, he should inquiry locally about economical and reliable overseas "shipping".

Straight talk, why do you say it is unrealistic to obtain a visa if I don't travel to see him again? We have lived together for a year, visited in the spring, but I am a PhD student and my time and availability due to work and research doesn't allow me to visit him, plus that is a lot of money. We speak daily, IM daily etc. Very curious why you say that as I have never heard anything like that from any members of VJ from Nigeria. Interested in those who know about Nigeria-if you have anything to talk about. My Fiance Nd has a size 16 shoe, all of his shoes are very expensive due to the size, two suitcases would be filled due to weight of shoes. Then like any other normal person (he's not some poor guy from a village) he has a closet filled with clothes and a laptop etc. If you have tried packing a suitcase lately-you'd know it can't hold a closet filled with clothes. Due to me still finishing my PhD we are on a budget, so it's not like we have all the money in the world to then go out and buy a new wardrobe, we want to save our money for our wedding and more important things than having to buy clothing he already had.

More info on cargo and taking extra suitcases would be helpful, plus the whole deal on not being able to get a visa due to not visiting the processing of the visa in Lagos????

Thanks,

Mari

[M2MarryN 2]

To cargo stuff to the US is still possible, but I cant help wondering what he could possibly be bringing to the US. Laptop I can understand, and then just shoes and clothes which should fit in two cases. Any other stuff he can eventually buy here inthe US as the money and time spent on the cargo business may not be worth all the trouble. Good luck

He's not some village kid, he has a closet as large as mine, and he's moving here, not spending time and then returning. A suitcase or two does not fit an entire closet. We don't want to have to spend more money to re-buy his things here. We want to use our money wisely-and that doesn't fit into buying stuff he has already owned again unless the cost of shipping outweighs the cost of clothing on a cost benefit analysis, which is why I am trying to find out costs to be able to determine the best solution to save money.

[naijaSweetHeart 1]

Straight talk, why do you say it is unrealistic to obtain a visa if I don't travel to see him again? We have lived together for a year, visited in the spring, but I am a PhD student and my time and availability due to work and research doesn't allow me to visit him, plus that is a lot of money. We speak daily, IM daily etc. Very curious why you say that as I have never heard anything like that from any members of VJ from Nigeria. Interested in those who know about Nigeria-if you have anything to talk about. My Fiance Nd has a size 16 shoe, all of his shoes are very expensive due to the size, two suitcases would be filled due to weight of shoes. Then like any other normal person (he's not some poor guy from a village) he has a closet filled with clothes and a laptop etc. If you have tried packing a suitcase lately-you'd know it can't hold a closet filled with clothes. Due to me still finishing my PhD we are on a budget, so it's not like we have all the money in the world to then go out and buy a new wardrobe, we want to save our money for our wedding and more important things than having to buy clothing he already had.

More info on cargo and taking extra suitcases would be helpful, plus the whole deal on not being able to get a visa due to not visiting the processing of the visa in Lagos????

Thanks,

Mari

That is a good move because we don't throw away what we already have because we are heading to America. Some designer stuff like shoes and clothes are more cheaper in Nigeria. I would encourage you to contact Arik airlines at http://www.arikair.com/ or call General Sales Agent,

Tel: 877-900-ARIK (2745), E-mail: uscustomerservices@arikairint.com and inquire about excess luggage when originating from Lagos. You might be able to pack the stuff into 4 to 5 suitcases

Goodluck.

[patient2010 93]

Expecting to obtain a fiance visa through Lagos without being there at least once during the process or at interview time is generally unrealistic. I would travel there with only a carry-on bag and then buy two additional suitcases to help bring his things to the USA when you travel together or separately. Otherwise, he should inquiry locally about economical and reliable overseas "shipping".

So not true many have gone before the Lagos Consulate and have been approved without visiting during the process or during the interview. Most times you dont have to visit during the interview because you cant go inside with the person in Lagos you would be sitting out in the heat baking....Further more what does getting or not getting a visa have to do with the cargo question which was why this topic originally started. If you have no expereince with the Naija consulate and are only going off of hear-say please refrain from the negative remarks because the people are already going through a lot of stress being away from there loved ones and having to deal with a tough consulate we greatly appreciate it!!!!

[M2MarryN 2]

So not true many have gone before the Lagos Consulate and have been approved without visiting during the process or during the interview. Most times you dont have to visit during the interview because you cant go inside with the person in Lagos you would be sitting out in the heat baking....Further more what does getting or not getting a visa have to do with the cargo question which was why this topic originally started. If you have no expereince with the Naija consulate and are only going off of hear-say please refrain from the negative remarks because the people are already going through a lot of stress being away from there loved ones and having to deal with a tough consulate we greatly appreciate it!!!!

Thanks for that, I would love to hear from others, as now I am totally freaking out, looking at my schedule to see if there is anyway I could take off a week. I had a huge panic attack after reading that and called my fiance immediately. Has anyone from Nigeria gone through the interview-passed and hadn't had a visit in the four months of the process? I am really freaking out regarding that statement.

[Anh map 2,098]

For what it is worth Pushbrk is very experienced VJ member. While each couple's experience is different Lagos is considered the toughest (highest fraud) US consulate and the "tales of woe" regarding the K1 process there are plentiful. He is reflecting the aggregated VJ experience.

Regarding the shipping, slow boat style will be the most affordable, typically taking several weeks. The items in the travel luggage will need to last for a couple of months. Best bet is to pack 3 or 4 favorite pairs of shoes and ship the rest to save the weight.

Do some searching here on VJ and you can find multiple duscussions about shipping services.

Best of luck.

[edmondson 0]

Expecting to obtain a fiance visa through Lagos without being there at least once during the process or at interview time is generally unrealistic. I would travel there with only a carry-on bag and then buy two additional suitcases to help bring his things to the USA when you travel together or separately. Otherwise, he should inquiry locally about economical and reliable overseas "shipping".

I think you need to read her story before writting your views about Lagos,she is here asking for how to help her hubby to be bring his things to America,and mind you that your perseption of her being there before or during the interview is very wrong,plz go to consulate reviews for Nigeria and read more.Hope this clears your curiosity!

[edmondson 0]

For what it is worth Pushbrk is very experienced VJ member. While each couple's experience is different Lagos is considered the toughest (highest fraud) US consulate and the "tales of woe" regarding the K1 process there are plentiful. He is reflecting the aggregated VJ experience.

Regarding the shipping, slow boat style will be the most affordable, typically taking several weeks. The items in the travel luggage will need to last for a couple of months. Best bet is to pack 3 or 4 favorite pairs of shoes and ship the rest to save the weight.

Do some searching here on VJ and you can find multiple duscussions about shipping services.

Best of luck.

Pushbrk is not an immigration expert so does his views,he should get to treat the reason why the post was made rather than make comments that are not true.Go to consulate reviews for Lagos and see if any one has been denied for such reasons.Never ever!!!!

[patient2010 93]

For what it is worth Pushbrk is very experienced VJ member. While each couple's experience is different Lagos is considered the toughest (highest fraud) US consulate and the "tales of woe" regarding the K1 process there are plentiful. He is reflecting the aggregated VJ experience.

Regarding the shipping, slow boat style will be the most affordable, typically taking several weeks. The items in the travel luggage will need to last for a couple of months. Best bet is to pack 3 or 4 favorite pairs of shoes and ship the rest to save the weight.

Do some searching here on VJ and you can find multiple duscussions about shipping services.

Best of luck.

I am not questioning if pushbrk is or isnt experienced all I am saying is that that had nothing to do with the shipping of the cargo. And I think we already know that Lagos is the toughest no one said they were not. I think all consulates have there "tales of Woe" stories some more than others but all have them. Again What does this have to do with the Cargo question I ask again. The young lady just posed a question about cargo not about "tales of woe" stories and no one even asked if it was high fraud or not. VJ is very helpful and I am so thankful for VJ but sometimes answering the question at hand is all that is needed now since you all wanted to add information that was not needed you have this young lady freaking out....there is no need for that. M2MarryN pray about it and GOD will show up and show out on your interview......The nerve of some people I tell ya

[DebbyNSeyi 15]

Check out American Airsea Cargo - http://americanairseacargo.com/AllNewWebsite.html - The bulk of their business is shipping to and from Nigeria and I've heard they are reasonable.

P.S. FYI...my husband's (then my fiance) K1 visa was denied despite me being in Nigeria 4 times in 15 months AND me being there at the interview with him. And for the flimsiest of reasons. We married and are now pursuing a CR1 visa. So please do not think that you have to visit if you can't afford it. Lagos is a very tough consulate and if they don't want you to get the visa - for WHATEVER reason - they'll find a way to deny it. I personally know at least 2 people whose fiance's are here now and they only made 1 trip to Nigeria from the States.