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experience with customs??

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sylk
  1/2/2019 17:55 EST

I want to order a phone online and have it shipped into UY to my PO Box or via DHL and I'm wondering what customs duties I would have to pay. (and how that works) The declared value of the phone will be $105. Any reliable info is very appreciated.
Will it be stopped at customs?
What are the steps?
Thank you SO MUCH!!

y happy 2019!

Expat91364
  1/2/2019 19:33 EST

In theory you can bring in items worth $200 or it even might be $300 US 3 times a year. that value will include all shipping, taxes on the item in the us and pretty much anything else they can think to tack on.

Then there is the question of if it will be allowed. Over the counter Vision AC required a Despachante or freight forwarder and a certificate from the health dept. a $300 cost. Told customs to throw it in the garbage.

So the answer is yes it can be done but if there is an issue they will likely charge up to 80% in import duties, plus processing fees, plus storage from the day it arrives to the airport. If you need a fright forwarder for any reason then it isn't worth it for small items.

That being said I was successful a couple of times shipping things in but for the most part it is not worth the hassle. Pay the premium and buy it from a business that has imported it already.

Conversely they are quite lax at the airport when you bring things in from a trip home. Hence the empty suitcase I always bring with me......

Also sometimes you can find what you are looking for in Argentina and for less than here. Worth the trip if just to get Indian food sometimes..... Argentina
being a much bigger market does have some benefits.

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Morell
  1/2/2019 20:49 EST

No longer includes the shipping but you need to have a permanent cedula to be exempt from the duties and it is $200 US limit three times a year. ( You can of course buy what ever you want and pay the duty.)

You can use a service like CasillaMia or Gripper, just be sure you understand all the rules and which items you can import before buying anything as it is difficult to return things.

papajohn
  1/2/2019 21:03 EST

***Here is an earlier post on the subject but if the total cost no longer includes the shipping???, then disregard that part. I would check with the aduana first just to confirm. (You especially do not want any nasty surprises, especially if it puts you over the limit and you get whacked with the dreaded 60% duty plus a small service charge)***

***If the item plus shipping exceeds US$50 and is less than $200, the package MUST be shipped using the EMS postal network to qualify as one of your FREE 3.***

***Go to the EMS website, https://www.ems.post/en, and you can find who the carrier is for your respective country of origin. In the US, it is the US Postal Service and it is ONLY their Priority Mail Express International service. The bad thing about that is it is an expensive level of service that can easily eat up a big chunk of your $200 allowance.***

***You have to also register with the aduana and enter information about the delivery on their website. It may get delivered or you may have to go there in person. Your package will also be subject to inspection. Be prepared to show receipt(s).***

***They have a current campaign called: In Uruguay we all say No to the income of products of animal origin. The items they don't allow are subject to the interpretation and judgement of the person helping you. They seem to be especially concerned about anything related to cheese in any form.

Morell
  1/2/2019 21:27 EST

That is why many are using Gripper or CasillaMia.

They deal with all the paperwork, you simply have the item sent to their office in the US, pay them to send it to UY and it is delivered to your door.

You can buy several small items and they will consolidate it into one package as long as it is still under $200 US.

You have to use an overseas credit card in your name and you can register with Customs on their site. It is relatively straight forward.

sylk
  1/3/2019 11:37 EST

Thank you all for your wisdom - very much appreciated!

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