Shipping to Playa

**Susie Q Roo** · 10-01-2004

Hola from Ohio!

Actually, it's quite pretty in Ohio right now, but I can't wait to come back to my "real" home in Q Roo on Monday!

In the meantime, I've gathered up way too much stuff to take back down there with me in my two huge bags. What happens when you ship personal items to Mexico via FedEx or some other shipper? Do you have to pay a duty? Are your boxes searched? Are they likely to confiscate things that aren't "approved?" Do things get there quickly? Does it cost an arm and a leg?

If you've done this, I'd appreciate any feedback... thanks!

**ryberg** · 10-01-2004

Stuff is subject to customs, yes -- basically anything you mail in or send in via courier is, except letters. And I would say yes, it tends to cost an arm and a leg, because you absolutely don't want to send anything regular mail and let it get into the hand sof Mexpost (firsthand experience of large packages disappearing entirely!), and the couriers tend to soak you, aside from the customs problems. This is why you hear about people being "mules" for those of us down here on a regular basis, I'd say.

Good luck!

Steve

**denisea** · 10-01-2004

I'd recommend shipping it to a friend who might be visiting Playa soon... such as Becky... and have them bring it down for you. I shipped the Playa.Info bottle coozies to James last year via FedEx using our corporate account (we ship internationally on a regular basis) and even with our discount it was still very expensive... and the package arrive in MX and cleared customs fairly quickly... however, the actual delivery to James was a little bit more of a challenge... if I remember correctly, it took 3 or more attempts until FedEX actually made it to their place... and that was after Anna placed a number of phone calls to FedEx. It was definitely an experience.

Life_N_Cancun · 10-01-2004

Well, I have only had one package sent to me and I found that using the USPS certified was the cheapest option. The USPS uses various private mail carriers down here, although someone told me they were going to start using FedEx. Anyway, I did get my pagage but it took 18 days. Judging by the stamps on it, the longest delay was getting it from the Cancun sorting plant to my door....11 days!!!, but, atleast I got it, and since its certified mail with insurance I didn't lose too much sleep over it.

As far as customs...that package was mostly Papers *so we said* so it did not get taxed. I once asked my mom to buy a pair of shoes from Wal-mart that I wanted and ship them to me. The $20 dollar shoes would have required $60 in shipping and taxes so clearly that was not something we were going to do. Mexico wants you to spend your money in Country so they ignore NAFTA and charge outragous taxes on everything brought into the country making it cheaper to buy most things here rather than paying the duties/taxes on it.

KathyMc · 10-01-2004

I ship weekly ups to mexico city. If you send via ups envelopes, from Kc to Mexico city, it cost $25. (it cannot weigh over 2lbs) What you need to put on the ups label is that it is business documents. One of our managers and his family moved and we send their mail weekly and it is never opened or bothered. We send magazines, newspapers, and their forwarded mail. It gets there right away too. (one week)

**Susie Q Roo** · 10-01-2004

I forgot about coercing Becky as a shipping possibility! Doesn't sound like shipping stuff is a viable option for stuff I don't really need to have. I've already filled up a huge suitcase for someone coming down in November, and another OH friend coming in mid-October is dropping by with an empty suitcase tomorrow for me to fill. If there's anything left after FOUR huge bags head my way (my own 2 plus theirs!), I guess I'll be hitting Becky up with a box in the mail!

Thanks everyone... Now, just wish me a green light!

**denisea** · 10-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

I forgot about coercing Becky as a shipping possibility! If there's anything left after FOUR huge bags head my way (my own 2 plus theirs!), I guess I'll be hitting Becky up with a box in the mail!

Shhhh...

don't tell Becky that I was the one who offered her services, OK?

playawannabe · 10-01-2004

paying the fee for extra baggage with your airline?? I have never done this, my understanding is that it can be expensive, but considering the options you have, it might be worth investigating for an extra bag or 2...

**tommy** · 10-01-2004

its around $100.00 a bag!

NWCreoleLady · 10-01-2004

How about shipping stuff we buy from Playa to home? How is that handled and is it a viable option?

Becky · 10-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by denisea

Shhhh...

don't tell Becky that I was the one who offered her services, OK?

I HEARD THAT! Sheesh, leave the computer for a few hours and all hell breaks loose.

Just kidding, Susie. Send it to me, sweetie, and I'll be happy to fill a suitcase and bring it to you. We're arriving on the 17th, and if I remember correctly, you'll be back home by then. We'll be crashing your place for a few hours or a day anyway, so I'm sure we should do something to repay your hospitality.

Becky

Becky · 10-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryberg

This is why you hear about people being "mules" for those of us down here on a regular basis, I'd say.

Speaking of "mules" Steve, I haven't received any Amazon.com shipments yet.

Becky

**james** · 10-01-2004

my stuff is on the way, Becky

Becky · 10-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by james

my stuff is on the way, Becky

You're SO funny!

You know I'd bring it, though.

Becky

10-01-2004	#1 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo paradisiac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 10,529	Shipping to Playa Hola from Ohio! Actually, it's quite pretty in Ohio right now, but I can't wait to come back to my "real" home in Q Roo on Monday! In the meantime, I've gathered up way too much stuff to take back down there with me in my two huge bags. What happens when you ship personal items to Mexico via FedEx or some other shipper? Do you have to pay a duty? Are your boxes searched? Are they likely to confiscate things that aren't "approved?" Do things get there quickly? Does it cost an arm and a leg? If you've done this, I'd appreciate any feedback... thanks!

10-01-2004	#8 (permalink)
playawannabe reposado Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 1,412	How about... paying the fee for extra baggage with your airline?? I have never done this, my understanding is that it can be expensive, but considering the options you have, it might be worth investigating for an extra bag or 2...

10-01-2004	#13 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,613	my stuff is on the way, Becky __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

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10-01-2004	#2 (permalink)
ryberg playa maya guy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: wandering between the Village Vanguard, NYC, 1961 and the Plugged Nickel, Chicago, 1965 Posts: 10,467	Stuff is subject to customs, yes -- basically anything you mail in or send in via courier is, except letters. And I would say yes, it tends to cost an arm and a leg, because you absolutely don't want to send anything regular mail and let it get into the hand sof Mexpost (firsthand experience of large packages disappearing entirely!), and the couriers tend to soak you, aside from the customs problems. This is why you hear about people being "mules" for those of us down here on a regular basis, I'd say. Good luck! Steve

10-01-2004	#3 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,025	I'd recommend shipping it to a friend who might be visiting Playa soon... such as Becky... and have them bring it down for you. I shipped the Playa.Info bottle coozies to James last year via FedEx using our corporate account (we ship internationally on a regular basis) and even with our discount it was still very expensive... and the package arrive in MX and cleared customs fairly quickly... however, the actual delivery to James was a little bit more of a challenge... if I remember correctly, it took 3 or more attempts until FedEX actually made it to their place... and that was after Anna placed a number of phone calls to FedEx. It was definitely an experience.

10-01-2004	#4 (permalink)
Life_N_Cancun life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cancún, Mexico Posts: 530	Well, I have only had one package sent to me and I found that using the USPS certified was the cheapest option. The USPS uses various private mail carriers down here, although someone told me they were going to start using FedEx. Anyway, I did get my pagage but it took 18 days. Judging by the stamps on it, the longest delay was getting it from the Cancun sorting plant to my door....11 days!!!, but, atleast I got it, and since its certified mail with insurance I didn't lose too much sleep over it. As far as customs...that package was mostly Papers so we said so it did not get taxed. I once asked my mom to buy a pair of shoes from Wal-mart that I wanted and ship them to me. The $20 dollar shoes would have required $60 in shipping and taxes so clearly that was not something we were going to do. Mexico wants you to spend your money in Country so they ignore NAFTA and charge outragous taxes on everything brought into the country making it cheaper to buy most things here rather than paying the duties/taxes on it.

10-01-2004	#5 (permalink)
KathyMc beachaholic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Kansas City Missouri Posts: 263	I ship weekly ups to mexico city. If you send via ups envelopes, from Kc to Mexico city, it cost $25. (it cannot weigh over 2lbs) What you need to put on the ups label is that it is business documents. One of our managers and his family moved and we send their mail weekly and it is never opened or bothered. We send magazines, newspapers, and their forwarded mail. It gets there right away too. (one week)

10-01-2004	#6 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo paradisiac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 10,529	I forgot about coercing Becky as a shipping possibility! Doesn't sound like shipping stuff is a viable option for stuff I don't really need to have. I've already filled up a huge suitcase for someone coming down in November, and another OH friend coming in mid-October is dropping by with an empty suitcase tomorrow for me to fill. If there's anything left after FOUR huge bags head my way (my own 2 plus theirs!), I guess I'll be hitting Becky up with a box in the mail! Thanks everyone... Now, just wish me a green light!

10-01-2004	#9 (permalink)
tommy Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12,131	its around $100.00 a bag!

10-01-2004	#10 (permalink)
NWCreoleLady way into it Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Auburn, a suburb of Seattle, Washington Posts: 176	How about shipping stuff we buy from Playa to home? How is that handled and is it a viable option?

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