Container full of household goods
Well, my experience was good, bad and a lot of stress involved. It cost me about 8,000 U.S. as well. I shipped from Michigan in the summer of 2006. My container didn't include appliances nor a vehicle. There was a storm somewhere out in the ocean (I was told) so it took a lot longer than I was told it would. Once the container arrived, it sat in the port yard in Boca Chica until they got around to giving me an inspection date. That took about 2 more weeks. During that time it was raining a lot in that area. Finally got an inspection date (after numerous phone calls), drove from Puerto Plata to BC and waited hours for the inspection team to get started. Caught the inspectors slipping small things in their pockets and a backpack (small tools, CD's, etc.). Got most of it back but not all. After the inspection, they put everything back inside the container and I had to wait for another appt. date to go back and apply for exoneration (already had my residency here by the time my "stuff" got here). Then had to wait another week to get the final figures, get the certified checks from the bank in Puerto Plata and send them via Caribe Express. Finally got a delivery date set up about a week later. When the container finally made it's way to my doorstep, two large boxes were soaked. Turns out there was a small hole in the roof of the container. Lost some things that were priceless (family heirlooms from the 1700's). Filed a report and request for reimbursement (yes I had paid for insurance). Got reimbursed for the clothing that was totally ruined from mold, mildew and color-fading, but sadly, the heirlooms are history. Luckily there was no damage to my furniture other than one broken vase. So.... my advice, check out the container thoroughly if you can BEFORE they load your goods into it.
Oh, also watch the guys with hawk-eyes when they're unloading and unpacking your things. There were a couple of small metal works of art given to me by my Dad from his worldly travels that someone must have slipped into their pocket from right here on my front porch. I know they were here because I saw them when they first unloaded and proceeded to unpack my things, but after they left, they were no where to be seen. There was so much going on, all at the same time (5 guys were sent to handle my stuff) that I had a hard time watching all of them at once. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.