Marija

Unfortunately, the recipient has to pay. Also it's possible that the package will be tampered with or stolen. It's usually better to send money and have the stuff bought there.

seetheworld

No! Really? There's no benefit to the package if the recipient has to pay the duty. You sound certain, marija. Are you certain?

I'll speak with the postmaster and see what he says.

nukesafe

You must state the value of the contents of your package on the U.S. customs declaration, and whether it is a gift. Depending on the country, the recipient pays a percentage of that amount. (It also depends on the honesty/venality of the customs officer.)

I lie. Used books, gift, no commercial value, used clothing/household goods, $1.00, are my typical entries.

atravelynn

Gruezi,

I loved your stories. What a tremendous experience for you and your daughter to share.

gruezi

atravelynn - thanks for reading and for your note!

seetheworld - we often pay customs on packages sent to us here in Switzerland. The trick is the word "used" and to not give a very high value to the contents - 1 USD - for instance. Unfortunately, here the word gift is not enough - we have paid for quite a few "gifts" until we figured this out. I was not aware this is also an issue for Tanzania. Check at the post office and I'm sure someone can help.

gruezi

seetheworld

I have received many packages from the UK and Germany and have never once paid customs duty on them. I guess I have been lucky!

Gruezi, I will use every "trick" possible - even if I have to sharpen every single pencil myself so that they can be considered used, I'll do it!

gruezi

seetheworld - I never once paid customs in the US either. But here in Switzerland I regularly do. The first Christmas was quite expensive for us, and I didn't want to tell friends and family who had spent so much on postage already that I also had to pay on this end in order to get the package. But, I think the key is to not insure, give a low value and state the items are used.

Thanks again for being such a good, kind soul!

gruezi

Marija

Take a look at:
http://lauraintanzania.blogspot.com/...-packages.html

seetheworld

marija, thanks so much for that link. I think what I will do is send my first package via padded envelope. I'll have no problem making it look "official" (I can use my school information for that purpose).

gruezi, it is the very least I can do. Thank you for the opportunity.

Marija

seetheworld--I think that's a good plan. Mail to third world countries is so unreliable. I didn't want you to spend a lot of money on a package that may well not reach its target destination. I'm sure when it arrives the students will be delighted. Let us know what happens.

gruezi

Thanks for the mailing advice Marija!

STW - Fingers crossed all will arrive safe and sound!

gruezi