Hello Chris,
To ship the package from the USA to Togo
I really hate to pay more for DHL, but the 10 day
wait or 15 days or maybe 5 is too much, the cost of me living in Lome would cost
more than this, and the office of UPS seems to be a partner office not an
office, like an associate, the commitment level is less, they are
sub-contractors, not the same business on the internet page of UPS.
I think we need to use DHL, or Fedex could be better
if same price, DHL tends to add additional fees.
NOTE: DO NOT PAY DHL WITH A CREDIT CARD -DHL
will send extra bills, add on, etc, I have used them many times, the price is
alway a plus situation, be very firm, get in writing if possible, there is
noother fees. But for sure, pay cash! I sent a package home from Peru, and
my parents get another bill sent to them, this is silly.
There is a temptation always to lie with a shipping
company, However, one lie and we have a big problem. I do need an itemized list
and I think the customs paper will have an itemized list. I think we need to put
the exact value of the equipment, no more no less and for insurance
reasons.
I know Togo or other countries, if there is a label,
price tag, or something they will say it for importation and sales. This why not
good to have many of anything. I think we need to put small pack of cookies that
look home made, maybe five cookies and pack of underwear.
All new or original packaging off, all made to be
used, the customs agents search for one reason to collect money.
Note, it would be great to import the small 12 Volt
Charger, the one that cost about 12 - 15 U.S. Dollar to Togo. This charger and a
battery would be all that is needed for a home to have lights at night
easy.
I think for 20 US a person could have lights in their
one room home. But, shipping.. aagh, what a big cost. A person has to add 10
dollars for shipping, 10 dollars for the import, and now the total cost is 40 or
about one and one half months work.
A candle is easy.
Thanks again, sort of an experiment.
ANDY IN
Atakpame Togo West Africa May 2007
YOU WROTE:
I went to DHL here and they estimate for a 15 lb.
package it would cost $315 (insured) + 25 packaging which they insist they
do. Delivery time is 2 days + a day in Customs (said the guy that thought
Africa was a country, then later that Lome was a country). Anyway,
he got competent info over the phone with direction from me. The only
restriction is that against importation of radar, routinely made by our
government. Also the warning about a High Fraud status for Togo.
Customs will likely open the package to inspect the contents, but then DHL will
deliver it to the Galion Hotel, or wherever you say.
For comparison, the
quote for USPS is $110 + insurance fee with a delivery time of 10 days.
Presumably add to that the Customs clearance day.
I specified the
contents were all personal possessions or gifts for Customs there. No
packaging on your stuff.
BTW, I got you some sturdy mosquito netting cut
from a roll 1 yd wide and 3 yds long. Rolled it up tight, pretty small and
put it in the stuff sack with the 12V (10W) fan. Figured you could tape or
nail it over windows for screening. Was cheap. OK?
