FedEx / DHL from the U.S. to Bogotá - How reliable & taxes??

miamimike says on Sep 11, 2008, 13:35:

Very expensive(fed-ex/dhl) use Servientrega.com in Miami instead.

No hay Peor Ciego que el que no quiere Ver o Sordo que el que no quiera Oir--Soy Yo, Sarah Palin, Wasilla Alaska.

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ds says on Sep 11, 2008, 14:58:

Freight depends on size and weight. For 1 pound calculate 70USD shipping expenses on FedEX Int. Economy. On top you will have to pay 26% tax (10% import 16% IVA) based on the invoice and a handling fee of about $30.000 Pesos. Make sure your provider won't put shipping fees on the same invoice. Taxes and handling fee you will have to pay to local FedEX agent in Colombia. Shipping takes 3-4 business days, no problems at all if you stay below 1.000US.

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Philly says on Sep 11, 2008, 15:53:

I had one good and one bad experience. Please make sure the address is correct on your package, and I had to pay a tax.

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davidslc46 says on Sep 11, 2008, 16:31:

The tax is unavoidable unless you can get either an invoiceless shiipment or have the sender underestimate the value. That is a reasonable strategy.

I have recieved documents from both DHL and Fed ex without problems. Seem to function fairly close to their US counterparts.

I have a mailbox at mailbox etc. Medellin and also Miami through the Mailbox etc. subscription. Miami is very good at underestimating value. I also note that I haven't seen a pack go through Colombian customs and I appear to be paying tax on whatever the declared value is out of Miami. Some packs cost me as much as $40 in fees and some are like $10. But if you are buying stuff at 40% off with free shipping in the US even paying the 36% Tax on actual cost makes it a great buy as opposed to trying to find and buy the item in Colombia.

For instance I have 600 generic claritine allergy pills coming from Costco that I paid roughly $30 for including shipping. Try to buy claritine in columbia and you will note that despite whatever taxes or extra shipping I pay it is well worth it.

I think I pay 29000 pesos per month for Medellin mailbox and Miami mailbox.


I am actually looking at UPS Columbia for some bigger items. I think 25 Kgs is like $250 which is quite good. This is directly shipped to my apartment.

http://www.ups.com/content/co/en/index.jsx?WT.svl=SecNav

David

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miamimike says on Sep 11, 2008, 16:56:

25Kgs shipped thru Servientrega would probably be under $100 from Miami,,,

No hay Peor Ciego que el que no quiere Ver o Sordo que el que no quiera Oir--Soy Yo, Sarah Palin, Wasilla Alaska.

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Rikito says on Sep 12, 2008, 07:27:

Do not use DHL in Colombia. They will rip you orff withfees. For example, to send a letter from Armenia to USA will cost me $40. A letter! They also rip you off with paying duty. They make you pay an extra fee becasue you used DHL.

...and so it goes

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davidslc46 says on Sep 12, 2008, 08:06:

That $40 seems about write for express courier service. Thats what I pay ion the states and also out of Panama. That $250 for 25KGs UPS I think was
out of The Northwest Region and expediated service.

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