Island Girl asked:
I am going home in a week and can’t get all my stuff to hold in my allowed luggage. I need to ship the extras – a few work suits, shoes and handbags. They are mixed – new and used, so I am hoping to find a way that cuts down on the duties for clearing them.
I also need a cheap way that will not cost an arm and leg. Of course safety is important. I know the penchant for stuff to turn up missing.
I am looking to send a medium sized box. I have considered USPS – regular post office international package, Air Jamaica Cargo and freight forwarders e.g. the people that ship barrels. Know any good ones in the DC area?
Air Jamaica cargo is NOT bad at all. I would warn you that right now is NOT a good time to be trying to avoid paying duties. You could end up paying HUGE fines for even underqouting the value of stuff by 10%.
Try to carry all NEW or expensive items in your luggage when you travel. This will also protect you from some amount of theft risk.
Theres a business model that goes something like this:
If you want it cheap, it won’t be good…
If you want it good, it won’t be cheap..
If you want it quick, it won’t be cheap or good.
Just thought it fit here, because shipping takes weeks, but its cheap. Air cargo is a few days, but it more than shipping. UPS and FedEx as well as DHL have offices in Mobay, but WOW are they EXPENSIVE !!
Each mode is safe….as getting it there is not the issue…once its there is the main problem. The post office is the worst thing you can do. It’ll take way too long & as you mentione, you may not ever see it at all. You’ll pay duty on the contents no matter which mode you choose. Best you save reciepts in case your questioned as to the value of items, but customs has a book they put value on items regardless ( had a used vcr I paid $10 for and had the reciept, but the book says used vcr’s are valued at $50, so I had to pay duty on the latter ).
My suggestion is to buy & pack a barrel, fill it with more stuff than you had wanted including things to carry to family members. Use Air Jamaica Cargo…they’re pretty cheap and it will be there with-in 2-3 days…then have family members chip in to pay the cost of their items & clearing at customs. You’ll want to pack expensive items at the bottom of the barrel, and the clothes at the top, as they tend not to go through ALL the contents. Have some cash on hand as they sort through things..if the true value of all items is $200 for example, paying $20 to the customs guy or gal will reduce it to $100 or less. Sometimes a hint will be given, so you need to listen for the clue.
If your only sending, as you say a medium sized box, it might benifit you to bring it with you at the airport regardless of the extra cost. At least you’ll know its arriving with you and you’ll avoid the madness at customs ( at air freight ) as it can eat up a whole day.