[delaware1]

Hi-
Does anyone have suggestions on efficient and reliable ways to send a package to Guatemala?
Also, how do I make arrangements for customs and duties to be paid?
If the items are gifts, are they ever duty-free?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
-Kathleen
waiting for Sarah Chloe, born 1/23/03

[susank]

Try sending an email to the Guatemalan Embassy in Washington DC, and ask them about the custom' tax etc. You could also try FedEx and UPS websites
Susan
P.S.
Congrats on Sarah Chole

[DMDes]

If you are with an agency they should be able to tell you how to send a package down. We sent a package down with another family that was going down to pick up their baby. Our agency set us up with the family. The family gave it to the coordinator once they were in Guat. They packed it in their suitcase and we didn't have to worry about customs.



Good luck!

[auntieCAt]

I have sent 2 packages to Guatemala and will be sending a 3rd this week the other 2 got there just fine. I was told not to use regular mail but fed Ex. The paper work is easy, just one customs form. I usually put the worth of the contents at ten or fifteen dollars even if it's more. no one wants to steal the ten dollar packages. Fed Ex is very reliable and i haven't had any problems with them. Fed EX is not cheap but it WILL get there. I have sent clothes, toys and pictures. A great idea is one of those soft baby books that you can put pictures of yourselves in. Those throw away cameras are also great, I sent a whole bunch to the foster family and you wouldn't believe all the pictures we have. I was only expecting the cameras back but I'm sure the family has made doubles so that they can have pictures too. I have sent all of our packages to our lawyer in Guatemala and they bring it to the Foster family. This is what we were told to do by our agency.

[auntieCAt]

I have sent 2 packages to Guatemala and will be sending a 3rd this week the other 2 got there just fine. I was told not to use regular mail but fed Ex. The paper work is easy, just one customs form. I usually put the worth of the contents at ten or fifteen dollars even if it's more. no one wants to steal the ten dollar packages. Fed Ex is very reliable and i haven't had any problems with them. Fed EX is not cheap but it WILL get there. I have sent clothes, toys and pictures. A great idea is one of those soft baby books that you can put pictures of yourselves in. Those throw away cameras are also great, I sent a whole bunch to the foster family and you wouldn't believe all the pictures we have. I was only expecting the cameras back but I'm sure the family has made doubles so that they can have pictures too. I have sent all of our packages to our lawyer in Guatemala and they bring it to the Foster family. This is what we were told to do by our agency.

[Bonnee]

How did you get your pictures back so soon. I have sent a disposable camera down, but I just assumed that I would get the camera back when I went down to bring Tia home. Did the foster family send the pictures to you?

That is such an exciting possibility - just the thought of a whole roll of film with pictures of my Tia makes me smile

[auntieCAt]

Bonnee

I have no idea why i got pictures but i think it might have been because i sent pictures to the foster family of us. have you sent them any pictures? Let me add that Every thing that i have sent and have gotten has been through our lawyer in Guatemala and the agency. I don't know what your agency's policy is but if they are ok with that send a little book of pictures include your house, you, other family members. I sent a soft book that I bought at a toy store. It had slots to put pictures in.

[Bonnee]

My agency forwarded a letter that I wrote to the foster mother along with a couple of pages with pictures of me & my husband, our home and both of our families to the attorney in Guatemala. Maybe I will get lucky and get something back in return - that would be so nice.