Mail Order USA -> Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia?
 

Hello folks,

I'm on an extended road trip, currently in Chile. I need some more photo gear that I would like to order from B&H in NYC. Which of the countries is best in terms of simplicity and import duties? Argentina, Bolivia, Peru preferred, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia could be considered

I hope that I can have the order sent to a specific office of the chosen courier and that I pay all expenses there.

In Chile, I asked about 10 people and no onne knew how importing by mail/courier works. I found out that there is a 50% import duty, which is a lot.

Anyone know anything about the issue? Thanks for all comments.

First option: buy it in Paraguay, where most of what's for sale seems to have been smuggled anyway. Second option: find someone--usually a merchant, sometimes a member of a classic car or bike club--with a private pipeline shipping goods from the US, usually Miami. They'll know how to do it cheaply, but they'll expect to make a profit or to do it within the context of a personal relationship. Third option: do it legally by paying the tariff (and probably spending weeks trying to get your package released by the aduana).

Good luck.

Mark

I live in Peru where I run an Adventure Moto Tour company. I am presently in the USA, but will be traveling back to Peru in 2 weeks. If it is not too large I can bring it to Lima for you, but you would have to hurry and order it. No charge, just between HUBBers. Let me change that: It will cost you a drink when you come thru. bier

Toby

markharf, thanks for the advice!

charapashanperu: thanks for the generous offer! In the meantime, I have invited a girlfriend to join me, and she can bring me the stuff, but I'll have to do without for two more months. It is 5000 USD and I guess 5 kilos though. And Peru would be on my itinerary much later.

Overall it seems mail order to South America for a tourist is pretty hard, as I feared.

If you ship it to Buenos Aires, Argentina, it takes 2 weeks (it can't ver over 999 dollars) and you have to pay 50% , but you need a address where customs sends you the invoice. If you are going south, you can ship it to my house but it looks like you are going north.