Chile Forum

I wonder if anybody has experience with using (or maybe even can recommend) a US package and mailforwarding service company with the purpose of sending stuff to Chile? I sometimes wish to purchase things on for example ebay or a regular US mailorder company but many times they don't ship outside the US. These forwarding companies supposedly gather up and repackage letters and merchandise and resend it for a fee. What is the risk that this idea will break down in the chilean customs?

/Magnus

xxx

Does anyone have more info on mail forwarding services from the US to Chile?

I haven't had time to do research on the subject, but it is on my list.

maybe http://www.lanboxusa.com/home.asp ??

I looked at the site from the link that eeuunikkeiexpat posted earlier and I am not sure what it is all about?

It looks like to me, that the site allow Chileans to order US goods online and have them delivered to them in Chile via Miami?

I know I have to do a better job of learning Spanish than I did in HS, but Tomas can you provide me with some understanding of the site? http://www.lanboxusa.com

When looking for a mail forwarding service, I found mention of Security Express - http://www.ses.cl . But as with lanbox, there isn't a gringo button available. Tomas can you provide me with some understanding of the site too?

I remember reading about mail forwarding services from a few other places, but I can't recall where. I will have to track those down.

What it basically all boils down to is that these companies/services will provide you a mailing address in Miami (or some other place in Florida) and they will periodically bundle up your mail in a box and send it to you. Not sure what lanboxusa is all about though.

Hi, I have not real-life experience purchasing from USA but I have heard from some friends who use this service, from the FAQ (my translation, is aprox):

¿Who is LanBoxUSA?
Most companies selling by catalog or Internet in the US, only send ito the USA territory

HAving a personal adress in the US you will have acces to goods, magazines, books etc at prices and offers valid only in USA

LanBoxUSA gives you a personal adress in Miami, Florida, which allows you to purchase any kind of goods there and receive in your home in Chile with no complications

Once you have registered your adress in LanBox in Miami will be as follow:
(Your name)
1900 N.W 97th Avenue
Suite # (your LanBox nbr)
Doral, Florida 33172
As soon your goods arive to the miami lanbox adress, LanBoxUSA will take care to receive, international freigth, custom clear and delivery at your adress in Chile

¿How it LanBoxUSA works?
To use LanBoxUSA first you have to register. You only need a valid credit card and an adress valid in Chile. then we will assign your LanBox nbr.

We recomend to use into US companies such as: DHL, UPS, Fedex, Airborne Express, etc., or even the US Postal Service, which uses tracking systems via Internet and P.O.D. (Proof of Delivery).

This is the main info on lanbox system I am not sure if will be OK for your needs

I don't know it this will help but here is the USPS page for Chile. Do you have someone in the US to receive packages and remail them to you. If so, Priority Mail International seems to be the cheapest.

The USPS website is a bit of a rat maze.

http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/ce_008.htm

CJ3, thanks for the link. Tthat's a good option to know about. I do have family that could be use the USPS to send items to me. I want to explore all the options in the matter are. Whatever option I choose to use, it will be documented here in the forum for others to read about.

I have a friend that uses one in the States to mail things as large as car parts for a customized truck for which there are no parts in Chile. We are talking like 120 pound parts.

I will try and track down the address. These mail forwarders are typically cheaper than UPS I know.

LanBox seemed a nice alternative to coming back from US trips with packed baggage but then I realized they collect IVA and some customs fees which add 22% on top of the CIF value (i.e. including Cost, Insurance and Freight). That customs taxes are paid on CIF in most countries rather than FOB always drive me crazy. I'll stick to packed baggage since I go to the US at least once a year, but this still seems like a nice service for people who don't travel there or are in a hurry.

american express has a service called skybox They have a dot net address. I didn't check it out but I get an offer every year from AX about it

Could anyone who has a good experience with using a mailforwarder, post the contact info? Or if they have a friend who has had good experience with using a mailforwared as well. Charles, have you had a chance to ask your friend about the mailforwarder he uses?

Thanks.