Someone in Pakistan recently told me that, if i send a parcel or package to anyone in Pakistan, the recipient has to pay a certain amount of fees - about 500-600 rupees depending upon the size. i’ve sent stuff to Sargodha, and this has never occurred before with me. Is this accurate? Sorry if it’s a silly question, but i have to send some stuff to some people in Pakistan and there is no way that they can afford to pay any sort of shipping/handling fees on it; if i pay everything from here, would the receiver still have to pay anything? Is this a new postage policy? Or is the individual who told me mistaken?
Mind you, this does happen in local mail but not in International post(According to Universal Postal Union laws only sending country can charge postage. The recieving country alway delivers for free.).
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*Originally posted by who---me: *
Not correct. Atleast I have never heard of it. Mind you, this does happen in local mail but not in International post(According to Universal Postal Union laws only sending country can charge postage. The recieving country alway delivers for free.).
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Many many thanks, Who---Me, appreciate it. It will definitely be international as i will be sending it from North America, and i was hoping that the recipients on the other end wouldn't have to pay anything. The person who told me must have been just mistaken.
Thank you so much for your help :) i appreciate it.
I think I know what you are talking about.......custom charges!
If you send something via mail/courier, you will be required to fill out a form/receipt that details the contents of the package, and its value, and the nature of it, and possibly a customs form/receipt. If you dont pay the customs charges while sending it, they will charge it to the recipient, and hold the package till its paid up. The custom charges are calculated based on the value of the contents of the package. So as a starting point, put in a small value of the item, if you must. If you are sending someone $100 goggles, put it down as a $10 gift, and make sure to prepay the custom charges right there (which is normally done, even if you dont specify it). Couriers/mail handlers in Pakistan tend to take advantage of people who dont know better, by charging them this amount, even though it might have been paid for.
Nadia I think you are talking about customs charges.
When sending a package, whether via mail or via a courier, you are required to fill out a customs form, that detials the contents and value of the package. Just make sure the value that you put is negligible. If youre sending a $150 pair of Raybans, do not list the value as $150, else, the recipient will be charged $100 or so in customs charges.
Though this is not how it works, but courier services and mail handlers in Pakistan routinely take advantage of gullible people by citing customs charges, and holding the package hostage until the amount is paid. Just make sure to let your recipient know not to fall for this scam, if asked for any money.
i see, Akif.
i’ll be sending mostly books and art supplies, paintbrushes, sketchpads, different drawing and paint supplies, pens, and books. i’ll put in a value of $10 and let the recipients know they have nothing to pay at their end. You’re absolutely right, i was referring to customs charges.
The individual who told me this said that she had to pay about 500-600 rupees upon receiving something that had been sent from the US (to Islamabad); Masha’Allah her family is in a financial position to be able to pay that so it wasn’t a worry. But the kids who will be receiving the above cannot possibly pay 500 rupees for anything, let alone a silly parcel from abroad. i’ll tell them what you told me to say.
Thanks Akif a million; that was extremely helpful and kind of you to explain it in such detail. Bahaut bahaut shukriya.
Nadia, rather than do that, why don't you simply Western Union the money for books and other supplies to the recipients? That way, no postage from this side or that, and they get to choose the books and things they need.
Nadia, why don't you just send money by Western Union rather than mailing? The postage and customs comes outto roughly the same cost as the wire transfer, but it'll get there sooner, plus the recipients will be able to choose what books and supplies they want to purchase themselves. Nahin?
Nadia H, I think your friend must have been referring to custom charges. My parents recently sent me a parcel and I ended up paying more in custom charges than the actual value of the parcel.
Sorry if it’s a silly question, but i have to send some stuff to some people in Pakistan and there is no way that they can afford to pay any sort of shipping/handling fees on it; if i pay everything from here, would the receiver still have to pay anything? Is this a new postage policy? Or is the individual who told me mistaken?
Bahaut bahaut shukriya.