Shipping out of Colombia

Noelito40 says on Jan 12, 2008, 18:56:

Can only empathise...

In my brief time in Colombia, I too have been astonished at the price on posting items abroad. I was quoted the best part of 1 million COP!! to send about 6 wedding invitations to various countries!!!???

I assume the reason for the rip off is that there is no public/government postal service (as certainly I've been accustomed to in Ireland) In Colombia the market seems to be purely private, so you end up using a commerical company such as DHL or the like.

It seems to me to be a no brainer that a government backed/subsidised postal service would do wonders for Colombian exports (and ergo for the Colombian economy) so what am I missing? (The cynics here tell me that the service is "wrapped up in a neat parcel" by the cartel behind the postal companies (much like I'm told the bus service is similarly "regluated") but is there more to it than that?

What are the costs of postage from other south american countries??

Noelito

0 funny, 0 helpful.

RAAAY says on Jan 12, 2008, 19:04:

A 5 kilo parcel from Medellin to Miami costs $120............it's a f**kin joke.......Im meeting with two consolidator companies next week...........I'll let you know what I find out..........

Other S.American countries...?? I understand that Peru is reasonable.......but I am still checking into it.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 12, 2008, 20:48:

Maybe some Colombian Resident can answer this matter as I often wonder about it myself. I find plenty of Shippers here in Miami at very Reasonable prices like Servientrega, ABE Cargo that ship to Col reasonably but never in reverse. Is this on purpose to bleed the Population dry by charging these Usory Rates?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Clinman says on Jan 12, 2008, 22:46:

bump

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Waterdawg says on Jan 13, 2008, 06:00:

The shipping problem is the same all through Latin America . You have UPS / Fedx .Dhl and basically price fixing ! Let me tell , this a killer when trying to do Biz down here .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

joetexan says on Jan 13, 2008, 15:42:

I was exporting from Colombia and found that the best way to get a reasonable rate was to register as an exporting company - I had a Colombian friend do all the paperwork with the appropriate government agency and the company and it is still legally active, but I haven't shipped anything for awhile. There is a lot of paperwork and I have to pay each month to keep it legally operational. You can email me and I will put you in touch with my friend, but unless you're shipping quite a bit the hazzle wouldn't be worth it. I was shipping boxes of about 50kg. He has to take them to the airport and then the police go through everything first, and DAS does is all a second time.

It is the same in the U.S. since 9/11. I used to be able to go to the airport in Austin and ship freight with Continental for a reasonable price - less than paying for excess baggage. Now, only licensed brokers can ship and the cost is astronomical.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jonas says on Jan 13, 2008, 22:10:

Well, I had a contract sent to Bogota from Quito through FedEx, cost was US$18,50. I then signed the contract and shipped it back to Quito, again with FedEx. Cost? DOUBLE!!! For the same freanin package, same addresses. Welcome to Locombia!

Simon Presidente!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jan 15, 2008, 07:22:

If Colombia wants to really move forward on the World market, shortcomings as these usory check cashing store shipping rates have to be addressed.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Chelesupercono says on Jan 15, 2008, 10:15:

I have heard of great deals shipping the white stuff to the USA......lol

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

0 funny, 0 helpful.