Job Discussion Forums

[Susan_108]

Can anyone tell me what�s the cheapest way to send a package from the US to Argentina? Say 5lbs (also are there duty fees?)

Susan

[matttheboy]

If it has anything of value; don't send it by normal post as it might go missing. If it has anything that is liable for customs duty; don't send it as it'll get dropped off at a customs centre miles from anywhere where you'll have to queue up for 73 hours to be told to come back later.

If it's really important then Fed-Ex it.

[Sabine11]

[quote="matttheboy"]If it has anything of value; don't send it by normal post as it might go missing. If it has anything that is liable for customs duty; don't send it as it'll get dropped off at a customs centre miles from anywhere where you'll have to queue up for 73 hours to be told to come back later.

What would be something considered "liable for customs duty"? Could you give examples..

Thanks, Sab

[matttheboy]

pretty much anything that looks valuable, particularly electrical goods of any kind but also things like clothes, shoes etc. books are ok. you should never send anything valuable through normal post here as it might just go missing along the way.

[veronica23]

No one ever listens to me when I say this, but I'll say it again anyhow. Send it US express post and it'll come stright to your door within a week. It will not stop at costoms. My mom has sent me tons of stuff this way. It is a bit more then the normal service (not much more), but well worth it.

Good luck,
Veronica

[Sabine11]

Wow!!

That's really good to know.. I hope Canada Priority or Express Post works the same way..

I would love to have some books shipped to me while I'm down there, as opposed to stuffing my suitcases until I can't even lift them..

Thanks for the info..
Sab

[jasonphos]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to report that I sent 6 boxes weighing 40 pounds each, back in June, from Birmingham, AL to Buenos Aires, and all 6 boxes arrived here, with no problems! I shipped dvds, books, clothes, kitchen utensils, and other personal effects.

I have also sent cds and other things in the mail in the past, and I haven't had anything get lost. Now, that's not to say that Mattheboy's inclinations are wrong, you're definitely taking a risk by shipping stuff of value, but I think there's a pretty good chance it will make it, at least 90%, and probably higher.

Also, as Mattheboy says, you'll have to go downtown, by Puerto Madero, to pick up your stuff. This sucks for everybody, but especially for people who live far outside of downtown, like myself. Also, you'll have to pay crazy import taxes, unless you've just inmigrated. I believe that the import tax is 50% of the value of the goods, although I'm not certain.

The inmigration law is clear on exemption for recent inmigrants,"Ley de Migraciones", Ley 25.871. It can be found here:

http://www.palermo.edu/info_para/Migraciones.pdf#search=%22ley%20migratorio%20residentes%22

and Article 15 says "Los extranjeros que sean admitidos en el pa�s como �residentes
permanentes� podr�n introducir sus efectos personales, art�culos para su hogar y autom�vil,
libres del pago de impuestos, recargos, tasas de importaci�n y contribuciones de cualquier
naturaleza, con los alcances y hasta el monto que determine el Poder Ejecutivo."

Quick and dirty translation: Foreigners who are admitted into the country as 'permanent residents' can bring in their personal effects, household goods and auto goods free from the payment of taxes, charges, duties nor any other form of tax, up unto the limit determined by the Executive Branch.

When I went to pick up my boxes - on two seperate occasions - I just told them I was inmigrating, and they didn't give me any problems. I didn't pay a dime. They didn't even ask to see my visa...

[waterdance]

Plus, you don't want to send it regular mail. Many time packages will end up at the post office if the recipient doesn't have a doorman. Then the recipient will literally have to wait 2 hours in line to get the package.