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johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Can anybody tell me if there is a general delivery mailing option for Mexico? I want to send packages from China and pick them up at a local post office, probably Mexico City.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:23 pm Post subject:

I can�t be sure, but I think that if you want to have a package delivered to a post office in Mexico City, you need to have an Apartado Postal.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

What's that?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:59 pm Post subject:

An apartado postal is a post office box. You rent them by the year by paying a fee to your local post office.[/i]

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

If that isn't an option, you might check with Fedex or UPS to see if they offer the service.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:48 pm Post subject: Re: General Delivery

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I would think it very difficult to get a PO box in Mexico while I'm in China. FedEx and UPS is a thought, though. Perhaps they could hold it at their local office until I arrive. Thanks for the help.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:53 pm Post subject:

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Word to the wise on this...there are a lot of items that will provoke duty if you ship them to Mexico, regardless of whether they are personal items or gifts. Electronics, some clothing, perfumes for example.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:56 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:11 am Post subject:

Here are some links for more info about the Mexican Postal Service:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servicio_Postal_Mexicano

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BEK/is_7_13/ai_n14931179/

http://www.playamayanews.com/living_in_mexico/mexican_postal_service_gets_a_pink_face_lift.html

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BEK/is_6_12/ai_n6108876/

http://www.mexconnect.com/forums/Areas_C2/North_Pacific_Region_F17/POSTAL_SERVICES_P88693/

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

I wouldn�t recommend using the Mexican post office for anything important. Go with UPS; DHL, or FedEx and you will surely get your stuff.

notamiss · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 3:19 pm Post subject:

It's not so clear-cut as that. Where we live, the postal service has proved to be very reliable. It has served us better than couriers on some occasions, even if a little slower.

One anecdotal example: one year ago we sent some documents to my daughter in Canada via a well-known courier, one of the ones you mentioned. We were able to trace the letter as far the twin city of where she lives, where it was apparently delivered to some random stranger who signed for it, but we were unable to find out that person's name and exact location, so then it disappeared into a void; never reached her. This year, a couple weeks ago I had to send her some more documents. Based on last year's experience, I chose to use the postal service, and the letter arrived safely in 12 days.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Mexipost has been fine for me over the last 5 years but I lost a lot of stuff coming in and going out the first few years I was here. I don't worry about cards and letters but for anything important, well once bitten twice shy says I.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Quite true that shipping by courier doesn't always mean you will have the item delivered promptly (or at all). A box can be held up in customs, and depending on contents, duty can be astronomical. In the case of certain items, like medicines, it is returned to where it came from or confiscated.

There seems to be two main "ransom" spots for shipments to our location, namely Monterrey and Guadalajara (where the shipment first enters Mexico, we assume). We've had to translate phone conversations to both cities for foreigners ordering things online, and it's something Aduana is questioning. Often times it's not a happy ending, because the taxes and fees are often more than the price you paid for the item.

Clothing seems to have huge duty on it, so better to pay excess baggage and haul it along with you on your flight. The same with any electrionics. Other used personal affects usually pass through Aduana without much duty, if you declare the garage sale value. Check this ahead of shipping, to avoid surprises.