To folks back home, the expat life may seem exciting, even romantic. Yet, holiday time can be difficult for expats living abroad. Students and long-term workers appreciate receiving a "care package" but getting it there on time and intact is not always easy. The USPS no longer uses the proverbial slow boat to China for delivering packages, but some gifts still may take months to arrive at their destination.
Expat Gift Selection is Key to Ease in Shipping
Consider shipping requirements before going shopping. Usually packages are weighed to determine the cost of the shipment but unusually large or fragile items may incur a special handling charge.
Check the country of origin. It may not make sense to send a German watch to someone in Austria, or clothing made at a factory in China when the recipient lives in China. Spoiling the surprise may be wiser than sending something and later discovering the item is plentiful and much cheaper when purchased locally.
Packaging for International Delivery is More Than Boxes and Tape
Be certain to put any spill-able items in plastic zipper bags. I once received two pounds of California almonds which became coated with hand sanitizer enroute. Even after soaking in water for hours, the nuts were still inedible. I tried to eat them rather than give them up; such a loss!
Breakable items may be wrapped in newspaper or bubble wrap, and cushioned by Styrofoam pellets or any appropriate packing material. However, all of the expats I surveyed – not a statistically significant number – prefer the use of something that can be enjoyed: a dual-purpose present. For example, bagged items can be floated in a sea of popped popcorn. Small bags of chips work just as well as the commercially produced bags of air. Breakables can be wrapped in towels or clothing if zippers and buttons are positioned carefully. Remember to include a copy of the destination address inside the package in case the outside becomes illegible.
Commercial International Mail Services
There are many choices besides governmental post offices. There are many commercial companies that provide international mail services. The most well known are Fed Ex, UPS, and DHL.Their rates and shipping requirements differ depending on the destination.
Be careful! What you write or forget to write on the shipping label can create unnecessary delays and increase costs. A package must be processed through customs before it can complete its journey. If duty must be paid, the shipper will contact the recipient and inform them of the process for paying the fee. If there is a communication breakdown or the phone number is wrong or missing, it may take weeks or months to contact the right person who must then make arrangements to pay not only the import fee but also substantial “storage” fees. This process is further complicated by the fact that the port of entry where customs are handled may be located far from the gift recipient. Language issues make things even worse.
Gifts May not be Free for Expats Living Abroad
New items, even gifts, may be subject to import duty. Some countries provide an online list of specific types of items and the duty each one incurs. If feasible, use a gift item prior to shipping so that it can be listed as used rather than new and the value – if taxed – will be much lower or not charged. In addition to names, addresses, and phone numbers on the shipping label, the gift giver is responsible for listing each item, country of origin, and the value.
Many American strip malls have mail service companies that will package and ship things for a relatively small fee. They don't always know what they're doing. Outside of Phoenix, a small shop advised a sender that the package – which was going to China – did not need to have the receiver's phone number on the shipping label even though there was a place to put it. This advice cost the recipient quite a bit of money and the DHL shipment was delayed for months while the package sat in storage waiting for customs clearance.
If insurance or registration is available, take it, especially when shipping to a developing or third world nation. Then keep the receipts and other documents until you know the recipient has the gift.
Remember to keep shipping constraints in mind when selecting a gift to be sent via international delivery. Package carefully, using multiple plastic zipper bags (which many expats will reuse), shock absorbing filler, and a sturdy container. Include phone numbers on the shipping labels. Most importantly, don't let the process stand in the way of sending an expat a gift.
For expat gift suggestions, see The Best Gift Ideas for Expats Living Abroad and Expat Advice for Gifts to Send Abroad Anytime.
Mistie Shaw - Writing for nearly half a century, Shaw's interests and education meander from music to the military, and from faith to fun.
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