Hi,
I read "somewhere" that it was possible to send products, souvenirs back home while on vacation so as to not carry it with you for the entire trip. Like chocolate, candies, tea, clothing etc. without having to go through customs and spend a lot of money other than shipping. Package it and ship it. I remember (vaguely) that it had to state something specifically on the box indicating that it was a gift or for personal use and I cannot remember if it was for a specific country or if it was europe in general. Does anyone have any concrete information about this? I asked at the post office here (small town in Colorado) and I got a blank stare and "Uh, this is America, you'll have to ask them." So...any advice? Thanks
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11739 posts
You will have to fill out a customs form in any country, declaring what is in the package and the value listing, for example, Candy € 30.00, Tea €30.00, Clothing €100.00… up to the maximum allowed by US Customs without having to pay duty. Guidelines here https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/know-before-you-visit/customs-duty-information.
Posted by
Oregon
54 posts
From Europe, you can mail one package per day to yourself in the US, worth up to $200 duty-free (mark it "personal purchases").
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/clearing-customs
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1414 posts
If you are mailing into the USA from anywhere outside the Customs you go through is US Customs. All international shipments, personal or commercial, require a Customs declaration be affixed to the package. This form needs to detail what's inside and the value. You'll need to look at their website to see what cannot enter, specific foods, weapons, hazardous materials, artifacts, etc. Customs is done at the first port of entry, and they can, and will, hold the package if they believe the items are not as described or the value is not in line with their norms. In that case you will have to provide documentation as to the prices paid and the actual description of the items. Since 9/11 every package gets run through a scanner, so it's best to declare correctly. Also, generic descriptions like "handicrafts", "picture", "candy", etc. will get questioned. If the package is such that a fee will be levied you will receive notification from the Customs office as to the fee. They usually email this (if you put your email on the declaration). If no email you'll have to wait for a written evaluation to arrive via the USPS.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5829 posts
I would not recommend sending chocolates home; there is a good chance they will melt while in transit.
The easiest way would be to have the store ship it for you. When an item is being shipped out of the country by the store, the store can deduct the VAT. Often large department stores and shops that cater to tourists can do this. When I have shipped things home, the VAT deduction has offset the high cost of postage.
Expect packages to take up to 6 weeks to arrive.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2602 posts
I have often mailed packages back to myself. Usually I send my clothes back and say exactly what they are, used personal clothing. Then I bring my purchases with me in carryon. So far, all of my packages have arrived within about a week to Seattle/Portland. The most it took was 2 weeks, but often times it arrives before I even get home.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7832 posts
Usually I send my clothes back and say exactly what they are, used personal clothing. Then I bring my purchases with me in carryon.
That's what I do. I'd rather lose my clothes than lose the gifts I bought. :-)
Posted by
1517 posts
The only time I did this internationally was from the Beleek store in Ireland, had them pack and ship for me, everything arrived in beautiful condition.
I have mailed myself packages a couple of times from domestic destinations when that was cheaper than paying for an extra bag. Can't imagine that would still be cheaper