Updated Information on Mailing Packages

Missionaries…please read and then FORWARD this email to your parents!

Dear Parents of Buenos Aires South missionaries;

As some of you already are aware we are experiencing a growing problem with the Customs and Postal Offices here in Argentina. Until just a couple months ago we were recommending highly that you send all packages “Express Mail” through the US Postal Service. They arrive safely and come directly to the Mission Office within 6 days. All “Priority Mail” packages are still a problem as they go to the Capital until we can get them picked up (an all day event outside our mission boundaries) and there is a fee to retrieve them.

However, the new problem is that the customs office in our region has decided to impose a huge tax on all “Express” packages arriving from the United States. They take the cost of the items inside the box (according to the value you place on the customs form) plus the price of shipping, divide it by two then times it by 3.7 to get the price in Pesos. That will be the C.O.D. charge placed on the package when it arrives at the Mission Office. We also noticed that most of the boxes with values less than $10.00 dollars were not charged anything. Others with values less than $20.00 were random…some charged, some not.

We are not sure why this has suddenly changed, but we still feel that the best method to send the packages is “Express Mail”. We would suggest that you write on the customs form, “Missionary Supplies”, but keep the written value as low as possible. If you send clothing take all tags off as they could think they are items for resale. We have had missionaries be charged as much as $250.00 dollars to get their packages. This money comes out of the missionaries personal account, so the parents end up paying twice for the package.

Another suggestion would be to hold off on sending any packages for the time being. We have some very nice stores here where the missionaries can purchase new clothing and shoes, and for usually less money than they cost in the US.

We are so sorry for this problem. If you have any questions feel free to email us at 2014459@ldschurch.org or call our office at 54-4293-5392.

Sincerely,

Sister Fitch
Secretary
Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission