We are blessed because the mail system in Vanuatu is very good. Every package I have sent in the last 9years has arrived intact. I know that not all countries in the world are this way.
Usually my packages cost more to send than the contents in them.
Favorite things are suckers (Joel calls them Lolly's), razors, lip gloss, and batteries, these things are always welcome. Whenever I ask what they want special they ask for fig bars or my fudge.
I found what the post office calls Flat Rate Boxes. These boxes can be used in the U.S. or Overseas. They can be packed as full as you can get them and with whatever. I am able to send books this way, and cans of food that are to heavy otherwise.The going rate for the overseas box, right now, is $42.00
For Easter I usually send Easter baskets, candy, small gifts, and egg dye.
I am not sure they will have eggs in the village, but they will have dye if they can find them.
Eggs were $6.00 a dozen in the city last time I was there.
I am sending them out tomorrow it takes 2-3 weeks for them to get there.
6 comments:
I'm learning to pack those boxes that are sold in craft stores and are labeled for Video or photo storage, they are about the size of shoe boxes. We pack them tight and they have cost us about $29 to send. We are mailing ours to Nairobi, Kenya and it takes them 2 -3 weeks to arrive. We sent our Easter ones last week along with some other items that had been requested. We're new at this, it is our 4th month of having our kids overseas. We are learning how to do this mailing packages so that they arrive in once piece.
I picked up one of those flat rate boxes yesterday. So small! It will be interesting to see what I can cram in there.
Robin,
You will be surprised what you can get in them. I get lots.
It is a challenge now.
Karen
Robin, one other thing there are 3 size boxes are you sure that you got the inbetween one.
The small one is very small.
karen
Denise that is a good idea. I am sure that they can then use the boxes for their own storage once they get them.
Do they go through the boxes or just let them go through customs?
Iam always amazed that the boxes get there in one piece traveling clear across the world. Karen
I work for the USPS. There are actually a few differnt flat rate boxes.Two different prices. One of them is about shirt box size and one is deeper but shorter.You can also use the regular priority boxes and send them at the weighted rate. This is a better value if you are sending very light contents.They all require customs forms for international packages which you can pick up at the PO or print on line.You can also print postage online but parcels 13 oz. and heavier must come over the counter for security reasons. There are differnt restrictons in differnt contries. EX: Peru does not allow clothing or shoes. /many middle eastern countries do not allow religious materials. I'm sure you can look this up on USPS.com
It is a good idea to wrap within the box.Put lotions inside ziploc bags to prevent leaking and damaging other things. Cookies store well in pringles cans with tissue paper between each one.Some post offices have an express mail service that is guaranteed in 3 business days.Very expensive but if you are in a hurry it might be worth it.
Another quick note about the flat rate boxes, you can't overstuff them. If you do it will distort the box and not be considered mailable.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. (Dates for Christmas mailing etc.)
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