Amazon sets flat rate of US$5 for shipments to Argentina

Quote from Splinter

That's all very well, but all the bullshit customs restrictions and red tape still apply. I don't think I'll be ordering through Amazon until the entire operation is simplified.

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/b?ie=UTF8&node=122389997011

Yes I won't be in any rush to buy anything. Not since customs informed me many years ago to travel 2 hours to the capital and collect my parcel of tea bags from the UK. After handing over a fortune first that is. What a nice welcome to Argentina that was.

Quote from Splinter

You may wish to read about my experience some ten years ago!

https://britba.life/2021/07/20/don…ything-by-post/

I remember that.

My tea episode was very similar. I expected the long wait, what I didn't bank on was having to travel to Buenos Aires to collect a package worth next to nothing. Not sure much has changed many years later as I never received the letters GovUK sent me either.

I remember those posts as well! They informed our decision never to let anyone try to send us anything here, even when my husband broke ribs in 2007 and needed medication not easily found here. His orthopedic surgeon wanted to send meds, but my husband chose to just endure the pain rather than cling to the false hope that relief was on the way.

Yes while law abiding visitors have to wait months before receiving goodies from family back home only to be financially penalised first. Billions of dollars worth of electronic goods not to mention illegal drugs as well are being brought over the land borders up north.

We receive simple empty greeting cards from family which arrive in 3-6 weeks. They all know by now, to never send packages.

I don't trust the system as you still have to provide paperwork, just to the courier instead of AFIP.

Airbnb provides free smoke alarms to their hosts. I ordered one, which was shipped from the UK using DHL.

Airbnb or their shipping carrier messed up names and addresses. Therefore, I was receiving links from DHL that showed a delivery address in Mendoza.

In any case DHL did send me an email saying that my item was stuck in custom and I had to provide a proof of domicilio fiscal, which I supposed it is a screenshot of AFIP webpage.

I didn't follow up because my smoke alarm was sent to Mendoza, so I wouldn't have gotten the item anyway. My attempts to explain this address mix up to Airbnb were useless.

It happened also to other people that are part of FB Airbnb Hosts of Argentina. I was lucky enough to connect on FB with the person next to me on AirbnB list. I was receiving the updates on her shipping and the link to the DHL-Aduana page.

Since we both are from the same area in Capital, her zip code and city matched mine and I forwarded all correspondence from DHL. She was able to collect her item at a DHL point.

I think I’ll follow up on a new thread, as this is tempting me to hijack this one, and I don’t want to do that. But DAMN, there is absolutely nothing logical or intuitive about the way this country is run.

Quote from Rice

But DAMN, there is absolutely nothing logical or intuitive about the way this country is run.

It's not been run at all for many years.

I just ordered a book so I'll let you know. Received all normal post from the UK and documents sent though dhl(this is the only single door to door carrier). Maybe if you buy something fancy and electric then they'll shaft you, but for that you have grabr which I have bought a few items off now.

Quote from JimBob

Maybe if you buy something fancy and electric then they'll shaft you, but for that you have grabr which I have bought a few items off now.

What type of items? Is grabr where a 'mule' carries the item into the country for you? What happens if they get stopped by customs?

Quote from UK Man

What type of items? Is grabr where a 'mule' carries the item into the country for you? What happens if they get stopped by customs?

You are not supposed to order items forbidden in the country of arrival, such as pet food

Books have been exempted from duty import for a few years (at least 5). I did mail to myself some of my books from Italy to Argentina about 6 years ago. I received a Telegram from Correo to tell me my parcel was on hold at the Retiro Custom facility. I had to pay for the Telegram (very cheap), go to Retiro, collect my books... only after a man with a white doctor's coat inspected it thoroughly to make sure nothing was hidden in my books.

So much for door-to-door.

I had my bank mail me a debit card via DHL. They declared a custom value of $1 for the plastic+chip. I had to pay about 25 USD to DHL for their handling of customs. Never again.

Still farcical then. I wonder what happens if you stay miles away from Buenos Aires?

I will wait to hear a few success stories about importing with this new Amazon deal , before I spend my pesos on stuff I may or may not need.

Quote from UK Man

What type of items? Is grabr where a 'mule' carries the item into the country for you? What happens if they get stopped by customs?

I bought a dji action 4, phone screen and some extra batteries. If they get stopped by customs that's their concern, you only pay/funds released when you receive the item. The woman I get my stuff off travels every month and brings back 30/40 high price items every time. You can see in her reviews so I don't think it's a problem, more so now.

Quote from UK Man

Still farcical then. I wonder what happens if you stay miles away from Buenos Aires?

Still farcical 5/6 years ago lol