Sending small packages to Colombia?

Miguel says on Feb 24, 2005, 00:52:

Read the "Servientrega" thread here Now you know the horror stories about mail service to South America are true.
I think you can assume it was stolen. I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago, and never wanting to go through that again, I asked around here on PBH and found Servientrega, and have had excellent results.

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fzrdan says on Feb 24, 2005, 07:14:

I have only sent two things to Colombia. Both were in a FEDEX/UPS style overnight letter envelope that I sent with USPS. The first one got there about 3 weeks later. The second has was sent over 3 weeks ago and has yet to arrive.

I believe the 4-6 day delivery time is for the package to get to the destination country. There is nothing USPS can do once the package reaches Colombia. They are completely out of control. The second time I sent a letter, the person working the counter said it should take about one week but you realize we have no control once it reaches Colombia. I completely understand. I hear people complain about USPS all the time but I think they are very good. The millions of packagas and letters sent everyday get where they are supposed to nearly everytime (inside the USA).

I don't have a good alternative for you as I am trying to find one myself.

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Miguel says on Feb 24, 2005, 07:47:

Not pimping Servitentrega... Miamimike, Gomezman and myself have all used Servientrega as an alternative with great results. They have control and take responsibility for your package.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 24, 2005, 08:08:

Tranexco and Jetbox If you're regularly sending packages to someone in Colombia, set her up with an account at Tranexco or Jetbox. Both these services give members an individual postal address in Miami. Things arrive there via US Mail, UPS or Fed-Ex and are couriered to Bogota the next day. A motorcycle arrives and delivers the package to their door.

It's fast and not too expensive. I'd guess about $3-$5 to send a small box. $1 for a letter. Plus about $30 year membership fee.

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Miguel says on Feb 24, 2005, 08:58:

Mr. Hollywood Is that the rate for Bogotá delivery, or country-wide?

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 24, 2005, 09:08:

No idea I have no idea if that's country wide. Both services have websites that will tell you.

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Miguel says on Feb 24, 2005, 09:52:

Ok I will check them out after I emerge from mourning the passing of HST.

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 24, 2005, 12:31:

Chevere33 says on Feb 24, 2005, 17:41:

on Adrimm's comment I'd agree with you that some stuff, probably once tampered with, doesn't arrive, but I DISAGREE that registered things eventually arrive. I gave up after the second registered, airmail package never got there. And I mean NEVER. I have been chuckling about folks that said things were 2 weeks, a month late. I have stuff that hasn't arrived and it's been YEARS! I also have sent money orders that never arrived, even though a year later they had never been cashed. I finally gave up checking and threw the receipts out.

Forget the USPS---it's a crap shoot, at best.


Constancia

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fzrdan says on Feb 24, 2005, 18:00:

I would agree to not use USPS to send things to Colombia, especially if it is important or valuable. Not because the USPS is unreliable but because they have absolutely no control once it is in Colombia.

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piquemacho says on Feb 25, 2005, 11:33:

Thanks for the suggestions... ...and I agree that it was amazing that the package got delivered at all.

The Tranexco service looks really good and I would definitely use something like that if I ever end up living in Colombia. But it doesn't seem designed for the occasional "care package".

Does anyone have the address for information about the Servientrega service from Miami? On their website I can only find details of their locations inside Colombia.

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salik313 says on Feb 25, 2005, 15:10:

RE: package .... My two cents. After all the more info the better, hope it helps. I have been sending mostly letters,fotos,CD's to COL for a few years. After much research I settled on FedEx only for the security that it stays in their hands. They have always arrived intact, on time. Recently sent larger pack. Books,CD's, perfume,cosmetics, ect. (birthday present). That stung ! 2lbs - $98.us !! Then they stuck me with duty in COL ($14.) But it got there from MPLS in 3 days un-tampered with. As what I'm sending is mostly of sentimental value, things that I have spent time making for mi novia, I'm OK paying for the peace of mind. If you care about what you're sending DO NOT use USPS. UPS & DHL kinda sketchy because I think they contract out once it's in the country. As always we get what we pay for :) ... paz to all on this site

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Miguel says on Feb 25, 2005, 15:29:

pique y salik Servi's addresses are in the threads here, but if you have a problem finding them, pm me and I will walk you through it. And Salik, at 98 US for 2lbs you got hosed. I payed 31 US for 1.5 through Servi.

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fzrdan says on Feb 25, 2005, 15:58:

****DO NOT use USPS. UPS & DHL kinda sketchy because I think they contract out once it's in the country***

The same reason to not use UPS/DHL is the reason to not use USPS. Once it leaves the USA/Europe/wherever, it is out of their hands. USPS/UPS/DHL is not the problem. I don't want to piss anyone off here, but the problem is with the Colombian postal system and the Colombian companies UPS/DHL contracts with.

Anyone who uses USPS/UPS/DHL knows that an extremely high percentage (the percentage is in the upper 90's) of letters and packages get delivered on time when sending domestically. When you use UPS/DHL and send the package to a country where these companies have operations (that they run themselves), the service level stays very high.

UPS/DHL could require better service from the companies they contract with or do the operation themselves (not likely). The USPS can't do anything about the postal system in Colombia. They could bitch and moan but what good is that going to do?

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Chevere33 says on Feb 26, 2005, 05:17:

DHL Actually, fzrdan, I have used DHL twice and both times the package got there within a week. I don't know if they have DHLs there in Colombia or if they contract out, though, so maybe you are right that that can make the difference.

The thing is, though, that you will pay THROUGH THE NOSE with this company. The only reason I used them is because I had a friend who worked for them and she was able to use her employee discount. The packages were about as big as two oversized shoe boxes, more or less, and I paid like $25 with her discount, but it would've been somewhere between $150 and $200 without. AND GET THIS, cuz here's the stinger: they tell you that the recipient needs money to receive the package, so you have to send your friend or family like 30% of the value for them to be able to receive the package. The last package I sent was valued at $150, so I sent her $60 just to be safe, and it wasn't enough!!!! Grrrr...

So if you're rich , DHL, in my experience, will get it there very quickly and safely. For the average person, it's just too much. I think even with my friend's DHL discount, Servientrega will be much better bacause there are no fees to reclaim the package.

Constancia

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Miguel says on Mar 31, 2005, 01:56:

Servientrega Update I sent another parcel to Colombia this week, and here's the story...I used USPS Overnight from STL to MIA, with the "guarantee" it would be at Servientrega by noon the next day. I checked the tracking report online and was informed USPS "tried to deliver" the parcel, but no one was there to receive it. (Total bulls**t). I called Beatriz/Betty at Servientrega, gave her the ID # and she called the USPS, tracked the damn thing down at the Post Office and picked it up herself! It's on the way to Barranquilla now. Another adventure with shipping to Colombia...UFF!

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British Paisa says on Mar 31, 2005, 02:08:

I personally have never had any problems with getting stuff sent to me in Colombia, mostly stuff I have bought over the internet. have had a car stereo, speakers, amp, cable kit etc sent over with USPS and always gets there.
The boxes have always been large so maybe that is the trick, large boxes are harder to misplace.
Whatever it is I am not saying that the system is any good as it takes around 2 days to get from the states to colombia and then 4 weeks to get to medellin.
COLOMBIAN POSTAL SYSTEM IS CRAP...

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cypher says on Mar 31, 2005, 02:53:

agree "COLOMBIAN POSTAL SYSTEM IS CRAP"

i usually send stuff using a company called Mensaya from London.. but in colombia they use servientrega.. they are cheap, fast and reliable :D
however one time i was only sending a poster,.. so i decided to just send it by normal Royal Mail as it wasnt too heavy (in one of those tubes).. not only did it arrive like nearly 6 weeks later but ALSO the *beep**beep**beep* cut the tube in half ruining the poster.. anyways..
never sending stuff using normal post.. is best just to pay that extra bit even if it is for something so small as a poster :p

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gav1n says on Mar 28, 2006, 09:09:

Shopping online from Colombia I have bought several items from amazon and other famous stores using a service Known in Colombia as "casillero internacional" (like a P.O Box) from a company Tranexco (www.tranexco.com) Great service. low prices, almost the same as using USPS.
I also use this system to have my personal stuff sent from my hometown ( ThousandOaks CA) to Bogota for a portion of couriers normal rates.

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miamimike says on Mar 28, 2006, 09:44:

Servientrega the Best; Avoid Avianca Air Express Also In '96 I sent a Package via Avianca Air Express. Thought they would be more reputable then some of the small companies-that was a mistake-between Miami and Bogota, the package was opened and re-sealed with items missing. I then traveled on Avianca Air to Col a few times and their incompetenecy and dishonesty became crystal clear. Lost Luggage arriving late with items missing-daily occurence for this airline! Servientrega is located right next door to Avianca Air Express off the Palmetto Expressway here in Miami. Great Folks who deliver on their word!

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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gav1n says on Apr 4, 2006, 20:29:

Tranexco rates country-wide Hello, tranexco - http://www.tranexco.com charges US$5 the first pound for Bogota plus an extra fee US$0.50 for shipping country-wide. Very good rates. tracking online 24/7

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gav1n says on Apr 4, 2006, 20:37:

shipping from USA to medellin I have used Tranexco, pretty good service and affordabble too.
They charge US$5 for the first pound plus a $0.50 fee to Medellin.
72 hours from Miami to Medellin. 24/7 online trackin
http://www.tranexco.com

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