Bhutan-PLEASE PLEASE READ
Jul 19th, 2009, 07:14 PM
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Bhutan-PLEASE PLEASE READ
My husband and I were in Bhtan last may -it was a fabulous trip. We arranged it through Uma. Our guide took us to Ura village in Bumthang and we visited a farmer's house, I can write pages of how much we enjoyed everything but that is not why I am posting. Anyhow, when we were leaving I asked the farmer's 17 year old daughter if she wants anything from US that I could send her for their hospitality. After some time and lots of persuation on our part she asked for a camera.
I bought a camera and a memory chip and a case for $200 and then I found out that the only way I am able to send this is through US mail with no insurance and I can not ask for a signature either. And I don't know if I want to do that. What are the chances that it will get there?
I thought if I post here someone might be able to help.
Please let me know if you can think of something.
Thank you
Adeleh
I bought a camera and a memory chip and a case for $200 and then I found out that the only way I am able to send this is through US mail with no insurance and I can not ask for a signature either. And I don't know if I want to do that. What are the chances that it will get there?
I thought if I post here someone might be able to help.
Please let me know if you can think of something.
Thank you
Adeleh
Jul 19th, 2009, 07:21 PM
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its a tough question....have you asked ups and fedex??
what about asking assistance from the us embassy?? they are not known to ever be helpful but you never know...
how about the agency you used for travel, could they help or the consulate or embassy in either nyc or washington dc....??
what about asking assistance from the us embassy?? they are not known to ever be helpful but you never know...
how about the agency you used for travel, could they help or the consulate or embassy in either nyc or washington dc....??
Jul 19th, 2009, 08:54 PM
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You have to be aware that the receiving party will have to pay customs duty or import tax or both. I'm not sure how much it is for Bhutan but it could be quite expensive for the farmer's daughter.
I would suggest that you return the camera and send her the money instead so she could buy one there.
I would suggest that you return the camera and send her the money instead so she could buy one there.
Jul 19th, 2009, 08:59 PM
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This example is for Thailand only and you can get an idea of what I'm saying. I ordered some electronics from China with a value of US$225 and shipment was by FedEx. I had to pay the equivalent of $120 for the duty/tax and custom clearance.
Jul 20th, 2009, 05:29 PM
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I would love to find someone to take it for them. Please help me find someone.
This is the only way they can receive the camera.
I don't think I can send any money for them, can I?
They don't have a bank account.
Please help. This camera will make them very happy.
This is the only way they can receive the camera.
I don't think I can send any money for them, can I?
They don't have a bank account.
Please help. This camera will make them very happy.
Sep 23rd, 2009, 09:04 AM
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I just saw this thread, and I hope you have already found a solution. If not, perhaps I am missing something but couldn’t you just write to the young girl in question and <i>ask her</i> for suggestions on where to send the camera? She may have a friend or relative in Paro or Thimpu who could hold it for her, or find a way to send it on to her. It may be easier for you to mail a package to Paro via the US Mail (perhaps insurance is also available), or DHL or Fedex would take it there.
If the letter does not make it to the girl (which you would know by the fact that you do not receive a response), then you probably are safe in assuming that a package would have less chance.
You could also try sending it “Post Restante PO Paro” or to the GPO Thimpu, and then letting the girl know by a separate letter that the package is waiting for her. Post Restante is the general mail address used for main post offices worldwide at which they will hold mail for collection upon proof of identification. (In the olden days before e-mail and mobiles, long-term travelers used post restante to receive mail. This is in the days when people wrote letters. But I digress.) But you would want to make sure that the letter notifying her gets to her as well.
With regard to customs duties, I would say that in my experience living in Switzerland which taxes basically everything it can, that <i>gifts sent by mail</i> were exempt from duty. Items I ordered from catalogs or on-line which were sent by mail were subject to duty, but gifts were always exempt. When sending a package from the US or elsewhere to a foreign country, you generally fill out a small form which indicates if the item is a gift or a commercial item. So there may be no duty on the gift item; however you would want to confirm this with the Bhutanese authorities, or the girl may know herself. The website for the Ministry of Finance may be helpful, see http://www.mof.gov.bt/index.php?deptid=14. You may need the Bhutan Trade Classification Customs Tariff and Sales Tax Schedule
There may be some information about Post Restante, customs duties or mailing charges on the website for Bhutan Post. See http://www.bhutanpost.com.bt/. After reading this, I find it hard to believe that you could not insure the package, as Bhutan Post offers insurance itself. And Bhutan Post seems to be the local agent for Fedex, so again I find it surprising that you could not use Fedex.
If you decide that mailing the camera is becoming too problematic, you should be able to send money via something like Western Union; again she could collect it in Paro by showing identification. See http://www.westernunion.com. (Search under “find an agent” by country/city) But you would have to have a reliable way of letting her know the money has been sent, so again if a letter does not reach her, then I would not send money by wire either.
If the letter does not make it to the girl (which you would know by the fact that you do not receive a response), then you probably are safe in assuming that a package would have less chance.
You could also try sending it “Post Restante PO Paro” or to the GPO Thimpu, and then letting the girl know by a separate letter that the package is waiting for her. Post Restante is the general mail address used for main post offices worldwide at which they will hold mail for collection upon proof of identification. (In the olden days before e-mail and mobiles, long-term travelers used post restante to receive mail. This is in the days when people wrote letters. But I digress.) But you would want to make sure that the letter notifying her gets to her as well.
With regard to customs duties, I would say that in my experience living in Switzerland which taxes basically everything it can, that <i>gifts sent by mail</i> were exempt from duty. Items I ordered from catalogs or on-line which were sent by mail were subject to duty, but gifts were always exempt. When sending a package from the US or elsewhere to a foreign country, you generally fill out a small form which indicates if the item is a gift or a commercial item. So there may be no duty on the gift item; however you would want to confirm this with the Bhutanese authorities, or the girl may know herself. The website for the Ministry of Finance may be helpful, see http://www.mof.gov.bt/index.php?deptid=14. You may need the Bhutan Trade Classification Customs Tariff and Sales Tax Schedule
There may be some information about Post Restante, customs duties or mailing charges on the website for Bhutan Post. See http://www.bhutanpost.com.bt/. After reading this, I find it hard to believe that you could not insure the package, as Bhutan Post offers insurance itself. And Bhutan Post seems to be the local agent for Fedex, so again I find it surprising that you could not use Fedex.
If you decide that mailing the camera is becoming too problematic, you should be able to send money via something like Western Union; again she could collect it in Paro by showing identification. See http://www.westernunion.com. (Search under “find an agent” by country/city) But you would have to have a reliable way of letting her know the money has been sent, so again if a letter does not reach her, then I would not send money by wire either.
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