Interesting new policy at the post office

[Tonchi]

I've sent perfumes to Greece, Mexico, Turkey, and several European countries without problems, but once I had to wait to find out if I could ship batteries in the package or if they were potentially "toxic".

Every country has different rules. I mail packages overseas every week and it is a good idea to check the usps.gov website for "restrictions" which apply. They makes no sense whatever and you will never be able to guess what bizarre customs requirements exist by using logic. You will also never be able to find out until it is too late what the receiving post office is in the habit of putting packages through. As of February 2006, the Philippines is opening EVERY SINGLE PACKAGE received in that country and "taxing" the contents. Does not matter if they have any value, are new or not, you pay. This is something your friendly USPS will not tell you. I can fill a box with used underpants and mail it to Manila and Luisa will have to pay "import duties" on the items.

[slang]

Originally Posted by Tonchi

I can fill a box with used underpants and mail it to Manila.....

Used? Try sending some new ones without wearing them yourself sometime and see how much in duties they charge.

I'm truly sorry Tonchi, I just couldnt help myself with that last comment.

Yes, it's true that there are customs fees on a ball of earwax nowdays. It's like that on the other (corrupt ) third world countries that I send packages to as well. Some have disappeared altogether. It's so frustrating that I dont notify the receiver when something is sent anymore.

Some unscrupulous people will take most anything being shipped in from the US. Even if the items have no commercial value. Bastards.

When I rule the world there will be some rather drastic changes though. All underpants imported into the Philippines (used or virgin) will be duty free.

Nam palameee....oo-oo!

[Tonchi]

Originally Posted by slang

Used? Try sending some new ones without wearing them yourself sometime and see how much in duties they charge.

I'm truly sorry Tonchi, I just couldnt help myself with that last comment.

.....When I rule the world there will be some rather drastic changes though. All underpants imported into the Philippines (used or virgin) will be duty free.

Actually, a market for used OR new underpants exists in Manila, if you should have any to contribute. You can sell absolutely anything no matter how bizarre, because no matter what it is, somebody does not have it and can find a use for it. Luisa even sold her nephew's dirty shorts, which he had dumped at their house assuming that they would be washed, folded, and returned to him at whatever time he deigned to favor them with his next appearance. Anything not nailed down gets grabbed and sold in that country. Her best sales, however, have been the Archie comics I send to her, and we have been told that the market for old National Geographics is very lucrative, $1 each, which unfortunately will not even cover shipping them to the Phils (and they would also be "taxed" as imports).