Chile Forum

I need to vent...

A couple of days ago I sent a package of Christmas presents to family in Australia. Included in the box were a couple of baseballs - two "normal" (i.e. real) and one plastic toy. When I was sending them from Correos, I duly mentioned that the package had a couple of baseballs within, and the lady at the counter decided to write "pelotas" in the contents list. No great problem you might think? WELL, think again. My secretary just took a call for me from Correos in Santiago explaining that it is strictly forbidden to send balls out of Chile in the mail, or at least that's my take on the situation. The CTM's will now be returning my package to me such that I can remove the offending balls and send the thing again. No doubt there will be the expectation that I pay the postage charge again...

So, can anyone else confirm any knowledge of such a ban? Any thoughts on the strategic importance of balls to Chile such that exportation is not permitted?

Thanks.

are they made with any sort of animal product?

ryanar wrote: Any thoughts on the strategic importance of balls to Chile such that exportation is not permitted?

It's because of the severe shortage right now. If you are familiar with the operation of the government, you will know that nobody here has any balls.

Balls seem to be serious business in Chile.

I send a lot of mail and I have noticed recently they seem to have gotten pickier at the Correos. For example, in October, I went to send a package to my dad. I was berated by the guy for sealing the package. I had to open it and take everything out. I have always brought things sealed many times before and never had a problem. Then, he told me I couldn't send any food products, even though it was sealed, packaged food.

Sending in a padded envelope seems to be bit easier. Even so, before they rarely asked what was in it but they now almost always ask. Recently I was asked what was in a package going to Spain. I stupidly said candy as one of the items, before I remembered the prior problem with food. The woman who waited on me seemed to be pretty new, and fortunately didn't give me trouble.

Also, quite recently, I sent a refrigerator magnet to a friend that collects them. My husband took it to the post office near his work and they told him magnets were prohibited. It was in an envelope, so they didn't open it, but he didn't imagine saying a magnet was inside would be an issue. I could see a strong magnet causing a problem, but a refrigerator magnet?!? I took it to a different office and just said it was artesanía. As it was in a padded envelope, not a box, they didn't open it and it got through.

For my family this year, it will be gift cards. I don't want any more hassle at Correos.

Normal baseballs are, I suppose, made from leather. Any number of leather products pass through the airport on a daily basis, so I can't see that being the problem. The plastic one, well, it's made of plastic, rather than some exotic material developed for the space race. It's hollow, so perhaps that's the problem?

I guess I'll have a chat with Correos personnel once the package arrives and we can discuss the problem and why my kids now won't have any Christmas presents to open. Should be fun

ryanar wrote:Normal baseballs are, I suppose, made from leather. Any number of leather products pass through the airport on a daily basis, so I can't see that being the problem. The plastic one, well, it's made of plastic, rather than some exotic material developed for the space race. It's hollow, so perhaps that's the problem?

I guess I'll have a chat with Correos personnel once the package arrives and we can discuss the problem and why my kids now won't have any Christmas presents to open. Should be fun

There's no-one at home that can buy the balls and wrap them for you?

I'm going to send a package to the US tomorrow that has a tshirt and a rapa nui statue, any gotchas I should be aware of? Is Correos the way to go?? My girlfriend is planning on sending a couple of hand woven wool hats and a pocket knife with a lapiz encrusted handle...is this going to raise any red flags? Any recommendations or suggestions appreciated.

I need to chime in with incredulousness here. Why the f%#< NO EMAIL > can't you send "BALLS". It makes no sense. And then I come out of my cold-induced head-fug and remember that "It's Chile. Nothing makes sense."

Can any of our forum gurus shed any light on why they may have this rule?

Also, the funny thing with sending food out is that Australia - another well-quarantined country - doesn't give a toss what you take out of the country - only what comes in. Why does Correos care what you're sending out?

Donnybrook wrote:Correos claim it is the other end, USA, which has cracked down, but I believe might be something to do with the aduana here. Although a friend who sends stuff from Europe to the USA says she has had some things refused which were ok before, so it is possible. I don't know about the balls as I have never sent any. Could be the leather. I'll ask next time I am in Correos but that might be a while.

Explanations you may request.
Decent answers, unlikely.
Common sense, in Chile, almost never.

OK, I might have a problem re medicine through the mail.
I'm on day 50 w/o smoking and need the last 2 weeks of 7mg Nicoderm patches sent from the US.
I don't think they are available in Chile. Gum yes, patches no.
Anyway, I had my daughter buy the patches, open the box and drop 'em in an envelope (only slightly larger than a regular envelope).
She's sending them via Fedex tomorrow to a La Serena "observatory" address.
Am I breaking the law? Will the patches arrive? This is really, really, really important to me.
Otherwise, I guess I could borrow the OP's non-exportable balls and just go cold turkey, but...